14 clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse, Charlotte Diocese says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) -- Fourteen members of the clergy, including one priest from Greensboro, have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse in western North Carolina since the diocese was established in 1972, according to a Charlotte Diocese news release.

The accused clergy are listed below:

• Donald Philip Baker

• Charles Jeffries “Jeff” Burton

• Eugene D. Corbesero

• Aloysius Joseph D'Silva

• Richard B. Farwell

• P. Patrick Gavigan

• Adelbert “Del” Holmes

• Donald J. Joyce

• Michael Joseph Kelleher

• Peter Tan Van Le

• Damion Jacques Lynch

• Justin Paul Pechulis

• Donald Francis Scales

• Robert Yurgel

The list is the result of a year-long process that included a comprehensive, independent review of more than 1,600 files dating back almost 50 years.

Records show that the 14 clergy named on the list were removed from ministry years ago or died before allegations came to light.

The diocese compiled the information on a website, which also features resources including a new hotline for reporting sexual abuse operated independently by Red Flag Reporting.