Iowa Diocese of Sioux City recently released names of priests that have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.
Four of the 28 individuals named by the Diocese had served in some capacity within Greene County. Bruce Lefebvre served as the administrator at Sr. Brigid’s Parish in Grand Junction in 1984 and worked at St. John’s Parish in Paton. George McFadden served as a pastor from 1969 to 1972 at St. Joseph’s Parish in Jefferson. Donald Slaven served as a pastor from 1988 to 1992 at St. Columbkille Parish in Churdan. He also worked at St. Brigid’s in Grand Junction and St. John’s in Paton. Those individuals are deceased.
The fourth name is former Rev. Jerome Coyle, who is now 85-years-old, and who previously admitted to sexually abusing 50 boys for over 30 years. He previously worked at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Grand Junction as a pastor and also did some work in Paton. He previously served at the Grand Junction church from 1977 to 1978. Coyle was then stripped of his parish assignments in the 1980s but was never defrocked. Another name on the list is John Patrick Perdue of Perry, who served at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll from 1985-1986. Records indicate that Perdue was employed by various previous owners of KDLS from January 1988 to December 2011.
The list of the other individuals includes credible allegations from 1948 to 1995. The Diocese of Sioux City says the main purpose for releasing the list of names is to “assure victims the diocese believes them and cares for them.” The diocese reminds everyone that these are merely accusations and while they find them to be credible, they are not equivalent to a conviction in a court of law.
Those who have been sexually abused by a priest or clergy member from the Diocese of Sioux City are encouraged to contact their Victim Assistance Coordinator at 1-866-435-4397 or 712-279-5610.
The full list of names can be found by clicking the link below.