The Diocese of Juneau released a letter and report last Wednesday, Aug. 21, naming seven people with allegations of sexual misconduct against minors and/or vulnerable adults. The letter, signed by Bishop Andrew Bellisario, states that these seven names have been released upon the conclusion of an independent review of the diocese's personnel files from 1951 to the present.
The Independent Commission which led this review was established last December, according to the letter, and was staffed by "highly qualified and respected" members of the community. Dominique Johnson, communications director for the diocese, said that the commission was fully independent from the diocese. Commission members include retired police Lieutenant Kris Sell, retired Judge Patricia Collins, retired Judge Thomas Schulz, and later on retired Judge Keith Levy and retired Judge Thomas Nave.
"The Independent Commission worked diligently and professionally," Bellisario wrote in the letter. "They have completed their review of all of the personnel files in possession of the Diocese of Juneau in the archives and in the Chancery office. I am deeply grateful to all five members, and you have my sincerest thanks."
Included in the seven names listed was Michael Nash. Nash served as a priest with the Diocese of Juneau for several decades, starting at St. Paul's Church in Juneau in 1980. From 1988 to 1996 he served at St. Catherine of Siena, in Petersburg. He was dismissed from the clerical state in 2005, according to the report. Afterwards, he pursued a career in law. He was admitted into the Alaska Bar Association in 2011, and worked and lived in Wrangell for several years before passing away in a plane crash, on July 11 this year.
According to the report, Nash is alleged to have conducted sexual misconduct involving minors from 1979 to 1982. In those years he served in Juneau and began working with Holy Name Church in Ketchikan, as well as St. John's Mission in Klawock. He also served as Director of Vocations for the diocese from 1980 to 1995.
Johnson said that he could not go into any further detail regarding those allegations. However, a state supreme court opinion (No. S-13405) regarding Nash and a denied application to the state bar association, where the state ruled in Nash's favor, some details were mentioned.
According to the opinion, in 1992 and 2002 a person listed as "J.P." came forward with allegations that Nash had sexually abused him from the period of 1979 to 1982. The 1992 allegations were reportedly investigated by Bishop Michael Kenny of the diocese, but were found not credible. The 2002 allegations were turned over to Alaska Special Assistant Attorney General Richard Svobodney, the opinion reads, but he declined to prosecute.
Johnson said that the purpose of this investigation was to find if any allegations had credible evidence to them, which the Independent Commission determined by applying a "probable cause" standard, according to the diocese's report. This standard is used by judges and members of the criminal justice system to determine whether there is "a sufficient basis to issue a search warrant, to arrest an individual, or to charge an individual with a crime." Probable cause, the report reads, means that there is a reasonable basis for believing that an alleged event occurred. The report also states that probable cause is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
"I do want to say here, first and foremost to the people who have been harmed in any way whatsoever from clerical sexual abuse, certainly those present in Southeast Alaska, those present in our diocese, anyone who has been affected by anybody on the list I put forth, but broader than that anyone who has been harmed in such an egregious way, I want to offer a very sincere apology," Bellisario said in a video shared by the Juneau Empire.
Johnson said that the report was made in the name of transparency and keeping the public informed. Many of the allegations listed in the report have already been reported to the authorities, he said, and it is up to them to decide whether or not to further investigate or prosecute the seven people mentioned. Johnson also added that while the Independent Commission's work is complete, for now, it or its successor will look into any future allegations that are made.
The other six people named in the report are Francis A. Cowgill, Javier Gutierrez, Patrick Hurley, Edmund Penisten, Frederick Raehsler, and Henry Leo Sweeney. According to the report, anyone who has faced sexual abuse by a member of the diocese or wider Catholic Church is encouraged to come forward and file a report with local law enforcement. Another option is to contact Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator Robbie Izzard at (907) 586-2227 x 25 or vac@dioceseofjuneau.org, and they will report it to local law enforcement. Bellisario's letter and the full report can be found online at http://www.dioceseofjuneau.org.
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