/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WBHB5A5UTZJLPFKT6MWCZEMACU.jpg "Colorado report names four local Catholic priests charged with child sex abuse")
In Colorado, forty-three Catholic priests now face well-founded allegations of child sexual abuse; four with ties to Grand Junction and Montrose.
Colorado’s attorney general released the report after an agreement was reached with the state’s three dioceses, the Archdiocese of Denver, the Diocese of Colorado Springs and the Diocese of Pueblo, following months of preliminary investigation . It reports allegations that 166 children have been abused by dozens of Catholic priests in the state since 1950.
The report lists the names of four local Catholic priests. Father Joseph Reade was a priest at St. Mary’s Hospital and VA Hospital, Father Lawrence Sievers at St. Joseph Parish and St. Mary’s Hospital, and Father Michael Descoise also at St. Joseph’s, all three in Grand Junction. He also mentions Father Gary Kennedy who was a priest in St. Mary’s parish in Montrose. All alleged incidents that took place between 1969 and 1987.
The report says Father Kennedy is under investigation. Father Reade is believed to be deceased, while the status of the other two priests is unknown.
There are also charges against priests in Craig and Glenwood Springs.
The report shows since 2002 that the Archdiocese of Pueblo failed to report 64% of recorded sexual abuse allegations.
Locals say they hope for justice for the victims: “The allegations that have come out and what is happening; I’m really not surprised,” says local resident Cory. “It’s sad what’s happening, it really is,”
KKCO News has contacted St. Mary’s Hospital, VA Hospital, St. Joseph’s Parish, St. Mary’s Parish in Montrose and the Diocese of Pueblo for comment. The VA Hospital declined to comment at this time, the other organizations have yet to respond.
