Diocese of L.C. lists more accused priests; including one with conviction
On Monday, the Diocese of Las Cruces released the names of thirteen more credibly accused former priests, including one who pled guilty to sexually assaulting a child prior to his assignment in Las Cruces.
“These priests did not abuse here while they were serving in the Diocese of Las Cruces,” said Bishop Gerald Kicanas. “However, they have been listed on the credible lists of other dioceses.”
Father Lucas Galvan was previously convicted of a sexual crime in Colorado, as listed below. According to the Denver Post, Galvan admitted to sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in 1990 and got two years of probation.
A spokesman for the Diocese told ABC-7 that Galvan – a convicted pedophile – served at St. Genevieve in 1993.
“I don’t honestly know whether the Diocese was aware of that or not,” admitted Bishop Gerald Kicanas.
Credibly accused former southern New Mexico priests
(Courtesy: Diocese of Las Cruces)
Name of priest Assignment(s) in southern New Mexico Reason for listing Joseph Angeli San Jose (La Mesa) and
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Tortugas)
Listed by Diocese of
San Antonio
Alphonse Boardway Holy Cross Retreat Center (Las Cruces) Listed by Diocese of Lubbock
Lucas Galvan St. Genevieve (Las Cruces) Criminal conviction in Colorado Sabine Griego St. Eleanor (Ruidoso) Listed by Archdiocese of
Santa Fe
James B. Hay Immaculate Conception Church (Alamogordo) Listed by Diocese of
El Paso
Austin Peter Keegan Infant Jesus (Hurley) Listed by Diocese of
Santa Rosa
Robert Kirsch St. Eleanor (Ruidoso) Listed by Archdiocese of
Santa Fe
Clive Lynn St. Rita (Carrizozo) Listed by Archdiocese of
Santa Fe
Richard Nesome Our Lady of Purification (Doña Ana) Listed by Diocese of
El Paso
James Porter Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Truth or Consequences) Listed by Archdiocese of
Santa Fe
Emilio Roure Our Lady of Guadalupe (Tortugas) Listed by Diocese of El Paso Lawrence Schreiber St. Peter (Roswell) Listed by Diocese of Gallup Robert Trevino Holloman Air Force Base (Alamogordo) Listed by Diocese of Corpus Christi
The Diocese sent all of the allegations and actions from the church to Attorney General Hector Balderas, who is investigating all the dioceses in New Mexico. Monday’s list adds to the 28 names the Diocese of Las Cruces released in November.
“Today, we have learned a tough lesson,” said Bishop Kicanas. “Anyone who has abused a child cannot be in ministry again. They may be forgiven by God, for sure, if they seek his forgiveness, but they can’t be put in a position of trust.”
The Diocese also released the name of Gary Vau, the former Holy Cross volunteer teacher who pled guilty to a sexual relationship with a student in 2015.
The bishop admitted that many of the priests on the list are dead or have been laicized, meaning they have been stripped of their title of priest.
As part of a new zero tolerance policy, the bishop said the Diocese of Las Cruces will no longer consider or retain any priest who has been credibly abused or convicted of sexual abuse.
“Today, any priest who has sexually abused a minor is not able, ever, ever to serve as a priest again.”
ABC-7 has reported extensively on several lawsuits made against the Diocese of Las Cruces. One man accused a priest of sexual abuse decades ago.
“Across this country, it’s a disease that needs to be stopped,” said the man, who asked to remain anonymous.
The Diocese of Las Cruces has a new program called “Circle of Grace” which educates children as to how their boundaries can be violated.
Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse in the church is encouraged to contact Margarita Martinez, the victim’s assistance coordinator for the Diocese. She can be reached at (575) 523-7577 or mmaritnez@rcdlc.org.
“This is a tragic chapter in the life of the church,” said Bishop Kicanas. “The only way it’s going to be healed, the only way we’re going to rebuild trust, is being as open as we can.”
