The Diocese of Savannah is committed to the protection of minors, as well as to compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In a spirit of transparency and the hope of continued healing for the survivors of abuse, we have released the following list of the priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
The list was compiled from the best information available to us at this time and covers the period from 1944 until now. (Please note that from 1937–1956, the diocese was designated the Diocese of Savannah–Atlanta and comprised the entire State of Georgia. The Diocese of Atlanta wasn't erected until 1956.) It will be updated if new credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor are determined.
If you are a victim of abuse by clergy, an employee or a volunteer in the Diocese of Savannah, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim of such misconduct, please contact civil authorities and the Diocese Abuse Reporting Line at 1-888-357-5330.
Name |
Date of Ordination |
Years of Diocesan Service |
Status |
Wayland Brown |
07/09/1977 |
1977–1998 |
Laicized 2004;
|
John Willis Dowling |
06/03/43 |
1944–1947 |
Deceased 4/2000 |
Lorenzo Garcia |
06/05/1997 |
1998–2008 |
Administrative leave 8/2008;
|
Nicholas Quinlan |
05/21/1932 |
1933–1972 |
Retired 1972;
|
Robert Teoli |
05/03/1955 |
1956–1980 |
Deceased 12/1980 |
Name |
Date of Ordination |
Years as Extern Priest |
Status |
Michael O’Sullivan |
— |
1962–1972 |
Deceased 2013 |
Joseph Reilly |
Diocese of Nashville |
1964–1966 |
Laicized 1965 |
Name |
Years of Service in Savannah |
Status |
|
Adolph J. Gall, SMA |
1932–1960 |
Deceased |
|
Eugene Gavigan, OCS |
1958–1960 |
Deceased 1959 |
|
James Harold, SMA |
1948–1956 |
Deceased |
|
Bartholomew Keohane, SMA |
1947–1961 |
Deceased |
|
Austin Martin, SDS |
1964–1969 |
Laicized;
|
|
Robert Murphy, O.Carm. |
1969–1971 |
Unknown |
|
S. John Murray, SMA |
1959–1960 |
Deceased |
|
Joseph Smith, SDS* |
1924–1952 |
Deceased 1952 |
Name |
Years of Service in Savannah |
Status |
|
Joseph Dean, GHM |
Several assignments prior to 1962 |
Investigated by Praesidian (an independent investigator);
|
Name |
Years of Service in Savannah |
Status |
|
Frederick George, OSB |
1990-1991 |
Removed from ministry |
|
Robert Poandl, GHM |
2008–2012 |
Recalled in 2012 by GHM for allegation filed in Cincinnati (no allegations in the Diocese of Savannah);
|