Office of Safe Environments • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

List Of Credibly Accused Diocesan Priests & Accused Religious Order Priests Who Served In The Diocese Of Bridgeport

No Comments

List Of Credibly Accused Diocesan Priests &
Accused Religious Order Priests Who Served In The Diocese Of Bridgeport

The Diocese of Bridgeport Policies and Procedures Relating to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors, Section 11.2, states that the Diocese will maintain a public record, including a website, that lists the names of diocesan priests and deacons who have been removed from ministry under this Policy. This policy is in accord with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies dealing with the Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors.

The information below includes the name of accused Diocesan Clerics or accused Religious Order Priests who served in the Diocese of Bridgeport. The list contains Dates of Birth if alive and if deceased, the year the cleric died; their status; the location of their diocesan assignments and ministries; the year of laicization where applicable and date when the accused cleric was convicted where applicable. This list will be updated as new information becomes available.

This list has been recently updated and reorganized into five (5) distinct categories as follows: (1) Credibly Accused Diocesan Clergy, Living; (2) Credibly Accused Diocesan Clergy, Deceased; (3) Credibly Accused Clergy, Religious Order and (4) Credibly Accused Clergy, Visiting from Other Dioceses.

> Read more about this list from Bishop Caggiano
> Statement on additions to list of Credibly Accused

Printable Version
First Posted: October 2015
Last Updated: 10/25/2024 (deceased clergy)

Download a PDF of this list

Credibly Accused Diocesan Clergy, Living

* Removed from ministry means unable to function as a priest because he was put on permanent administrative leave. Where applicable, we have included the year when the cleric was laicized (no longer a priest).

NameBirth YearOrdinationAllegationStatus*
Henry A. Albeke19461973Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002;
Laicized 2007
AssignmentsSt. Charles, Bridgeport (1974-1976); St. Jude, Monroe (1978-1979);St. Joseph, Brookfield (1979-980); St. John, Darien (1980-1987); St. Thomas the Apostle, Norwalk (1988-1992); St. Francis of Assisi, Weston (1993)
John Castaldo19581987Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002;
Convicted 2001;
Laicized 2007
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1987-1992); St. Mark, Stratford (1992-1994); Our Lady of Grace, Stratford (1994); St. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield (1994-1998); St. Rose of Lima, Newtown (1998-1999); Trinity Catholic High School, Stamford (1999-2001); St. Maurice, Stamford (1999-2001)
Stephen J. DeLuca19391965Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2014
AssignmentsSt. Augustine, Bridgeport (1965-1967); St. Catherine of Siena, Riverside (1967-1969); Notre Dame High School, Fairfield (1969-1973); St. Mary’s High School, Greenwich, (1973-1977); Stamford Catholic High School, Stamford (1977-1979); St. Ann, Bridgeport (1979-1984); St. Agnes, Greenwich (1984); Hospital and Nathaniel Witterall Nursing Home (2006); Residences: Holy Rosary, Bridgeport; St. Thomas, Fairfield; St. Charles, Bridgeport; St. Bridget, Stamford and Villa Maria Retreat House, Stamford
Joseph Michael
DeShan
19591987Single allegationRemoved from ministry 1989;
Laicized 1999
AssignmentsSt. Augustine Cathedral, Bridgeport (1988-1989)
James Gay19311959Single allegationLeft diocesan service in 1984, Faculties removed 2006; Administrative leave reaffirmed 2019
AssignmentsSt. Peter, Bridgeport (1959-1964); Immaculate High School, Danbury (1964-1969); St. Mary, Bethel (1964-1969); St. Mary Boys High School (1969-1984); United States Navy (1984-2004)
Sherman Gray19431970Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2004
AssignmentsSt. Mary, Greenwich (1971-1973); Rome, Italy (1974-1975); St. Maurice, Stamford (1976-1981); Outside of Diocese (1982-1986); Holy Name of Jesus, Stamford (1987-2002)
Jaime Marin-Cardona19682010DCF finding of substantiated allegations of abuseRemoved from
ministry 2019
AssignmentsSt. Joseph Norwalk (2010-2014); Our Lady of Guadalupe (2014-2017); St. Charles Borromeo and St. Mary Bridgeport (June-September 2017); St. Mary Bridgeport (September 2017-2019)
Gavin O’Connor19361977Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 1989; Laicized 1989
AssignmentsSt. Joseph, Shelton (1978-1979); St. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield (1980-1981); St. Peter, Danbury (1982-1984);
Gregory Smith19411967Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1968-1969); St. Joseph, Danbury (1970-1973); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bridgeport (1975-1996); Chancellor (1989-1992); Sacred Heart University (1992-2002)
John Stronkowski19591985Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2016 (initially removed from ministry in May 2014 for reasons unrelated to sexual abuse of minors)
AssignmentsSt. Patrick, Bridgeport (1986-1990); Our Lady of the Assumption, Fairfield (1990-1994); St. Gregory the Great, Danbury (1994-2003); St. Ambrose, Bridgeport (2003-2012); St. Margaret-Mary, Shelton (2012-2014)
Charlie Stubbs19371963Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 1997; Laicized 2004
AssignmentsSt. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield (1963); St. Mary, Stamford (1963-1964); Assumption, Westport (1964-1967); St. Ann, Bridgeport (1967-1969); St. Catherine, Riverside (1969-1976); St. Mary, Ridgefield (1976-1991); St. Mary, Greenwich (1991-1996)
Vincent Veich19451971Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsAssumption, Fairfield (1972); St. Catherine, Riverside (1973-1977); Assumption, Westport (1978-1984); St. Cecilia, Stamford (1985-1987); St. John, Darien (1988-1990); St. Benedict, Stamford (1991-1996);

Credibly Accused Diocesan Clergy, Deceased

Note: in some cases, these allegations were brought forward after the accused was deceased and the death of the accused cleric prevented further investigation. Others were deemed credible when accused was living and accused has since died.

NameBirth YearOrdinationDeceasedAllegationStatus
Alfred Bietighofer193819652002Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. George, Bridgeport (1966-1968); St. Anthony, Bridgeport (1968-1974); St. John Vianney, Peru (1974-1975); St. Patrick, Bridgeport (1975-1976); Blessed Sacrament, Bridgeport (1976-1982); St. Joseph Medical Center, Stamford (1982-1984); St. Joseph, Norwalk (1984-1986); St. John Vianney, Peru (1986-1987); Sacred Heart, Stamford (1987-1988); St. Mary, Norwalk (1988-1998); St. Charles Borromeo, Bridgeport (1998-1999); St. Francis of Assisi, Weston (1999-2001); St. Andrew, Bridgeport (2001-2002)
Lawrence Brett193719622014Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 1994; Laicized 2006
AssignmentsSt. Cecilia, Stamford (1963-1964); Leave of Absence (1965-1972); Outside of Diocese (1973-1995)
Charlie Carr19481980October 2024Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002;
Laicized 2005
AssignmentsOur Lady of Fatima, Wilton (1981-1984); St. Thomas the Apostle, Norwalk (1985-1986); St. Catherine of Siena Trumbull (1987-1988); Central Catholic High School, Norwalk (1990) St. Philip, Norwalk (1990-1991); St. Andrew, Bridgeport (1992-1995); Leave of Absence (1996)
Vincent Paul Cleary191819441989Multiple allegationsDeceased in 1989 before any allegation was known or investigated
AssignmentsSt Augustine 1944-1959; St. John Stamford 1959-1962; St joseph South Norwalk 1962-1963; Our Lady of Peace Stratford 1963-1989
Walter Coleman193219592016Multiple allegationsRetired 1996; Removed from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1960-1966); St. Maurice, Stamford (1967-1968); St. Joseph, Danbury (1969); St. Aloysius, New Canaan (1970-1972); St. Thomas, Fairfield (1973-1975); St. Patrick, Bridgeport (1976-1982); St. Joseph, Brookfield (1983-1987); Immaculate High School, Danbury (1988); Central Catholic High School, Norwalk (1990); Sacred Heart, Georgetown (1988-1990); St. Joseph Manor, Trumbull (1991-1993); St. Margaret-Mary, Shelton (1993-1995);
William Donovan193519612018Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. John, Darien (1961-1966); Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich (1966-1973); St. Thomas, Darien (1973-1982); St. Rose of Lima, Newtown (1982-1983); St. Leo, Stamford (1983-1989); Holy Family, Fairfield (1989-2002)
John Draper192719531966Single allegationDeceased before allegation was investigated
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1953-1959); St. Mary, Greenwich (1959-1960); St. Joseph Hospital, Stamford (1960-1962); St. Thomas, Fairfield (1962); St. Mary, Ridgefield (1962-1964); St. Joseph, Shelton(1964-1966)
Martin Federici194019662013Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 1996; Laicized 2003
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1967); Assumption, Westport (1968-1970); St. Ambrose, Bridgeport (1971); Assumption, Fairfield (1972-1977); St. Thomas the Apostle, Norwalk (1978-1981); St. Joseph, Shelton (1982-1983); St. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield (1984); St. Matthew, Norwalk (1985-1995); St. Augustine Cathedral, Bridgeport (1996)
William Fletcher191819441988Single allegationAllegation came forward after deceased
AssignmentsSacred Heart, Bridgeport (1953-1955); St. Joseph, Danbury (1955-1958); St. Thomas, Fairfield (1958-1963); St. Margaret Mary (1963-1968), Shelton; Sacred Heart University, Fairfield (1964-1988)
William A. Genuario193119562015Multiple allegationsRetired in 2004; Deceased in 2015
AssignmentsSacred Heart 1956-1958; St Peters Bridgeport (in residence- 1958-1962; Gregorian University Rome 1962-1963; St Theresa Trumbull – in residence 19631968; Blessed Sacrament Bridgeport 1968-1972; St Anthony Bridgeport 1974-78; Diocesan Assignments 1974-1987; St Catherine of Siena Riverside 1987-2004
Stephen Gleeson193719632021Single allegationPlaced on administrative leave February 19,2019 – permanently removed from ministry August 22, 2019
AssignmentsSt John the Evangelist (June 1963 - August 1963 Temporary Assignment); St. Ann, Bridgeport (1963-1968); St Mary Stamford (1968-1973); St Theresa Trumbull (1973-1977); St Stephen (1977-2013)
Joseph Gorecki192719591988Multiple allegationsLeave of Absence from Diocese from 1978 until death
AssignmentsSS. Cyril & Methodius, Bridgeport (1960-1964); Outside of Diocese (1965-1966); St. Joseph, Shelton (1967-1970); St. Theresa, Trumbull (1971); Holy Name, Stamford (1972-1973); Assumption, Westport (1974); St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport (1975); St. Mary, Norwalk (1976-1978)
Richard Grady192019471993Single allegationRetired 1989
AssignmentsSt. Leo, Stamford (1973-1979); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Bridgeport (1980-1988)
Martin Hitchcock192619512014Multiple allegationsRetired 1991;
Second allegation came forward after deceased
AssignmentsSt. James, Stratford (1951-1953); St. Peter, Danbury (1953-1959); St. Mary, Bethel (1959-1962); St. Joseph, Danbury (1962-1964); St. Lawrence, Huntington (1964-1967); Superintendent (1967-1971) St. Mary, Greenwich (1971-1991)
Stanley Koziol193319582013Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. Edward the Confessor, New Fairfield (1958); Holy Family, Fairfield (1958-1962), St. Rose, Newtown (1962-1965); St. Clement, Stamford (1965-1966); St. Joseph, South Norwalk (1966-1974); St. Leo, Stamford (1974-1976); Our Lady of Grace, Stratford (1976-1979); Holy Name of Jesus, Stamford (1979-1987); St. Aloysius, New Canaan (1987-1992); St. Philip, Norwalk (1992-1994); St. Mark, Stratford (1994-1996);
Bartholomew Laurello192019462004Single allegationRetired 1995; Allegation came forward after deceased
AssignmentsHoly Rosary, Bridgeport (1946-1948); St. Anthony, Hartford (1948-1951); Holy Rosary, Bridgeport (1951-1954); St. Catherine, Riverside (1954); St. Raphael’s, Bridgeport (1954-1958); Notre Dame Catholic High School for Boys (1958-1962); St. Joseph High School, Trumbull (1962-1963); St. Joseph Manor, Trumbull (1963-1964); St. Roch, Greenwich (1964-1969); St. Mary, Stamford (1969-1970); Christ the King, Trumbull (1970-1976); Graduate Studies (1976-1980); Our Lady of Grace, Stratford (1980-1995);
James McCormick189019161965Multiple allegationsMinistry Restricted1954;
Allegations reviewed after deceased
AssignmentsSt. Michael’s, Hartford (1916-1926); Sick leave (1926); St. Agnes Home, Hartford (1927); St. Mary’s, Norwalk (1927-1928); Sacred Heart, New Haven (1928-1932); St. Bernard’s, Tariffville (1932-1935); St. Augustine’s, Seymour (1935-1936); LOA (7/1936-10/1936); St. Vincent’s, East Haven and Camp Palmer, Oxford (Summer 1937 & 1938); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Mt. Carmel (1938-1944); St. Michael’s, Waterville (1944-1949); Sacred Heart, Waterbury (1949-1951); St. Joseph’s, South Norwalk (1951-1954); Notre Dame Convalescent Home (1954)
Albert McGoldrick19491978September 2023Single allegationRemoved from ministry 2002; Laicized 2005
AssignmentsSt. Mary Church, Stamford | Diocesan Tribunal,
Instructor | Diocesan Tribunal, Auditor | Our Lady
St. Mary, Stamford (1979-1980); Diocesan Tribunal, Instructor (1980); Diocesan Tribunal, Auditor (1981-1984); Outside of Diocese (1985-1986); Our Lady of Peace, Stratford (1987); Assumption, Westport (1988); Diocesan Tribunal, Judge (1995-2002) Notre Dame of Easton (1988); St. James, Stratford (1999); St. Paul, Greenwich (2000-2002)
Francis D. McKenna192019451989Multiple allegationsAllegation came forward after deceased
AssignmentsSt. Ann, Bridgeport (1946-1955); St. Mary, Norwalk (1955-1958); St. Catherine, Riverside (1958-1959); St. Patrick, Bridgeport (1959-1962); St. Joseph High School, Trumbull (1962-1963); St. Joseph Manor, Trumbull (1962-1963); St. Gabriel, Stamford (1963-1968); St. Jerome, Norwalk (1968-1970); St. Charles, Bridgeport (1970-1972); St. Joseph, Shelton (1972-1989)
Joseph Moore194419712021Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 1997; Laicized 2004
AssignmentsSt. Theresa, Trumbull (1972-1973); Assumption, Westport (1974-1975); St. Joseph, Danbury (1976-1981); St. Mary, Bethel (1982-1983)
Robert Morrissey194519762014Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002
AssignmentsSt. Lawrence, Huntington (1976-1977); St. Mary, Greenwich (1977-1982); St. Mary High School (1982); St. Clement, Stamford (1982-1984); St. Joseph, Danbury (1985-1986); Outside of Diocese – US Navy (1986-1989); St. Joseph, Danbury (1984-1986; 1989-1992) St. Mary, Ridgefield (1992-2002)
William R. Nagle192619551979Single allegationAllegation came forward after deceased
AssignmentsSt. Clement, Stamford (1955-1962); St. Vincent’s Hospital (1962-1965); LOA for Clinical Pastoral Training Program (1965-1966); St. Vincent Hospital (1966-1969); Fairfield Hills Hospital (1969-1971); Residence St. Clement, Stamford; Tribunal, Judge (1971-1979)
Raymond Pcolka193919652009Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002; Laicized 2004
AssignmentsSt. Benedict, Stamford (1996-1997), St. John Nepomucene, Bridgeport (1968-1973); St. Mary, Greenwich (1974); St. James, Stratford (1975); Holy Name of Jesus, Stratford (1976-1986); St. Mary, Bethel (1987-1988); Sacred Heart, Greenwich (1990-1993); Leave of Absence (1994-1995)
Boleslaus ("Bill") Rarus191419402005Multiple allegationsRetired 1987;
Deceased before allegations investigated
AssignmentsSt. Bernard’s, Sharon (1940); St. Patrick’s, Waterbury (1940); Sacred Heart, New Britain (1940-1942); Holy Name, Stamford (1942-1945); St. Mary’s, Jewett City (1945-1947); Holy Name, Stamford (1947-1959); St. Joseph’s, Brookfield (1959-1967); St. Paul’s, Greenwich (1967-1987)
Paul Spodnick190219271976Multiple allegationsRetired 1968; Deceased before allegations investigated
AssignmentsAssumption Church, Ansonia (1928-1929); St. John Nepomucene Church, Bridgeport (1929-1933); All Saint’s Church, New Britain (1933-1937); LOA (1937-1938); Immaculate Conception, Waterbury (1938-1944); Sacred Heart Church, Southbury (1944-1950); St. Mary’s Church, Bethel (1950-1955); Blessed Sacrament Church, Bridgeport (1955-1961); St. Benedict’s, Stamford (1961-1965); St. Joseph Manor, Trumbull (1965-1968)

Credibly Accused Clergy, Religious Order

NameBirth YearOrdinationDeceasedAllegationStatusAssignments
Kieran T. Ahearn (Franciscan)19381997Single allegationRemoved from Ministry and Convicted 1993St. Luke, Westport (1986-1990); St. Mary, Bethel (1991-1993)
Stanley Bonzszek (Maryknoll)2007Single allegationSt. Anthony of Padua, Bridgeport (1985)
Jean Marie DeGraff (Society of St. Jacques)19621999The allegation occurred outside of the country. Allegation in CT was not found to be credible, but Fr. DeGraff was later arrested for abuse of a minor family member out of the country. Fr. DeGraff is not permitted to exercise ministry in the Diocese of BridgeportIn residence St. Mary, Greenwich
James Gildea (Fathers of the Holy Cross)193019571986Multiple allegationsRemoved from ministry 2002Notre Dame Catholic High School, Fairfield (1965-1986)

Credibly Accused Clergy, Visiting from Other Dioceses

NameBirth YearOrdinationDeceasedAllegationStatusAssignments
Jose Daniel AlberranDiocese of Barcelona, VenezuelaSt. Peter, Bridgeport, (Summer 1991)