Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese Releases List of ‘Those Disqualified From Working With Children’

The Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese has released a list of people (both living and dead) that they have determined are "disqualified from working with children or youth."

The diocese states very clearly on its website that these individuals have been "credibly accused" ("in the judgment of the diocese") of acts that disqualify them from working with anyone under the age of 18.

What Disqualifies A Person From Working With Children According to the Diocese?

Actions that disqualify people from working with children in the eyes of the diocese include:

• Violations of a child-protection policy (after warnings).
• Failing duties of being a mandated reporter.
• Knowing about, and then failing to report, abuse of a child.
• Providing pornography to a person under the age of 18.
• Possessing or using child pornography.
• Physical abuse of a person under the age of 18.
• Sexual assault or abuse of a person under the age of 18.

The diocese does not decide to add someone to the list hastily. It states that the allegations against an individual must be "established to be credible." That credibility can be established through secular legal proceedings, canon law proceedings, self-admission, or evidence that meets the “clear and convincing” standard.

Who is on the Kalamazoo Diocese's List of Those Disqualified From Working With Children?

The following individuals have been listed by the Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese.

• Former Cub Scout committee Douglas Alan Butler of Battle Creek.
• Fr. Richard Fritz of Lakeport, has been forbidden to function as a priest.
• Former playground supervisor Joey Gallaway of Battle Creek.
• Former choir director Nathan John Lavoie of Grand Rapids.
• Fr. Brian Stanley of Coloma, has been forbidden to function as a priest.

The list also contains people who have been disqualified because of actions elsewhere.

• Msgr. Leonard Bogdan, has been forbidden to function as a priest. Bogdan was added after being included in three other dioceses' 'credibly accused' lists. (Chicago, Phoenix, and Bishops' Accountability.) Is believed to live in Phoenix.
• Former Fr. Michael Weston, resigned from ministry in 1993 and was removed from the clergy in 2009. His location is currently unknown.

Several additional people who held a variety of positions within the diocese or were added to lists elsewhere but are now deceased are also listed on the Kalamazoo Diocese's list. Many were priests, while others were non-clergy staff members.

You can read the full list of those who are disqualified on the Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese's official website.

Does the Grand Rapid Catholic Diocese Have a List of Those Disqualified From Working With Children?

At the time of this writing, that is unclear. While the diocese may have a similar list - it is not publicly published anywhere that we were able to find. It does have a section on its official website dedicated to "Protecting God's Children".

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse by a member of the clergy or anyone who is representing the Catholic church, you can make a complete to the Michigan Attorney General's Office by calling 844-324-3374.