Investigation finds 47 priests in Green Bay diocese with substantiated abuse allegations

GREEN BAY (WLUK) - The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay on Thursday revealed results of its third-party investigation into its files on priests and deacons. The investigation was focused on finding any incidents of sexual abuse against minors by priests or deacons.

“We have to win back trust, and we're really working hard at that,” said Bishop David Ricken.

The diocese has identified 47 priests and released clergy names of 46 with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor on its website.

“There may be other people out there we don't know about everything we know we're putting in this,” said Ricken at a news conference at Bona Hall on the diocese’s property in Allouez.

All but one of the names were posted to the diocese's website. That one priest is challenging the allegations, so his name was omitted.

The diocese hired Defenbaugh & Associates out of Texas last fall to investigate the files it has maintained on priests and deacons in its 157 parishes. The investigation looked into any credible accusations of sexual misconduct. That independent investigation followed the diocese's own internal review.

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