SSPX-Associated Abuse Allegations

Overview

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has faced documentation of sexual abuse cases and allegations of institutional response issues spanning several decades. Based on available reports and public records, multiple individuals associated with the SSPX have been accused, charged, or convicted of sexual abuse or related misconduct.

This documentation includes cases involving clergy, religious, lay members, and institutional responses to allegations. The information presented is based on public records, court documents, media reports, and victim advocacy organizations.

Current Investigations and Victim Resources

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

On December 21, 2022, the KBI released an update on the task force investigating allegations of clergy misconduct since February 2019. "The investigation is ongoing," the KBI statement indicated. "The task force expects the investigation to be lengthy."

Individuals with information regarding abuse by SSPX clergy can contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation:

SSPX Victims Collective

A victims advocacy group was launched in August 2022 with stated goals of addressing allegations of abuse within the SSPX internationally. The website is available in English and can be contacted at: [email protected]

SSPX Victims Collective website

Documented Cases: Clergy and Religious

Convictions and Legal Proceedings

  • Fr. Frédéric Abbet: SSPX priest ordained in 2004, convicted in Brussels in 2017 of child sexual abuse. Court documentation noted "heavy dysfunction within the Society of St. Pius X." Fr. Benoît Wailliez, then-prior of the SSPX chapel where Abbet lived, was aware of Abbet's history but failed to take protective measures according to court records.
  • Fr. Pierre de Maillard: SSPX priest convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for 33 sexual assaults against 27 children over 25 years in the Vendée and other locations.
  • Fr. Matthew Stafki: In November 2022, accused of sexually abusing his 9-year-old niece. The SSPX issued a public statement regarding the case.
  • Fr. Philippe Peignot: SSPX priest documented as having abused boys while in charge of scout programs, with his history known to superiors. Victims included Vincent Lambert, who later became prominent in end-of-life care debates.
  • Guillaume Aguilar: SSPX school teacher sentenced to seven years in prison in addition to time already being served for other crimes against children.

Allegations and Ongoing Cases

  • Fr. Patrick Groche: Superior of the Gabonese mission, accused of sexual abuse of boys. He was a longtime collaborator with SSPX founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
  • Fr. Carl Pulvermacher: Co-founder of SSPX in the United States and founder of The Angelus publication, accused in 2018 of sexual abuse of a minor.
  • Fr. Pierre Duverger: Accused of sexual abuse and grooming. Victim Jassy Jacas reported that multiple priests were informed of the abuse but failed to report it to authorities.
  • Fr. Ramon Angles: Accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old Michael Gonzalez, who subsequently died by suicide.
  • Brother Vincent Mary Rustila: In November 2023, accused of abuse in Whanganui, New Zealand.
  • Fr. Guillaume d'Orsanne: Charged in 2017 with sexual abuse of a minor by a former student.
  • Fr. Damien Carlile: Australian priest accused of sexual abuse during his service at the SSPX mission in Gabon, Africa from 1991-2000.

Historical Context and Institutional Connections

Documentation shows that Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, founder of The Brothers of Saint John and later credibly accused of sexual abuse, was present at the foundation of the SSPX and advised Marcel Lefebvre on establishing the Econe seminary. His brother Thomas Philippe was also documented as an abuser in a major 2023 report titled "Control and Abuse Investigation on Thomas Philippe, Jean Vanier and L'Arche (1950-2019)."

Documented Cases: Lay Members

Several lay members associated with SSPX communities have been convicted or charged with sexual abuse:

  • Kevin Gerard Sloniker: Pleaded guilty in 2016 to molesting seven boys aged 8-14 over a decade. He met victims through Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls.
  • Paul A. Sloniker: Brother of Kevin, convicted of first-degree child molestation and sentenced to 5½ years in prison in 2022.
  • Douglas Gerard Kleinsmith: Sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2017 for sexually abusing a teenager. Previously convicted in Idaho in 1991 of similar charges. Member of prominent SSPX family.
  • Peter Palmeri: SSPX parishioner in Saint Marys, Kansas, imprisoned for sexually abusing and raping his children.
  • Maryck Gerard Linn: Convicted of indecent liberties and rape of an unconscious minor, serving 10-year sentence.
  • Luciano Maradona: Convicted and sentenced to 10 years for child sex crimes, including rape of his daughter.

Institutional Response Documentation

Administrative Actions

Documentation indicates various administrative responses to abuse allegations within the SSPX:

  • Transfer Policies: Multiple cases document clergy being transferred between locations following allegations, including international transfers.
  • Knowledge of Allegations: Court records and testimonies indicate that SSPX leadership was aware of allegations against certain individuals but allowed continued ministry.
  • Reporting Practices: Documentation suggests inconsistent reporting of allegations to civil authorities across different jurisdictions.

Documented Administrative Responses

  • Superior General Franz Schmidberger acknowledged that procedures were not followed correctly in the case of Fr. Peignot.
  • Bishop Bernard Fellay's tenure included documented cases where accused clergy continued in assignments with access to children.
  • Fr. Paul Vassal was reportedly reassigned following his handling of abuse allegations at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls in 2016.

Media Coverage and External Documentation

Investigative Reports

Several major media investigations have documented SSPX-related abuse cases:

  • Swedish Television (Uppdrag Granskning): Reported that four SSPX clerics had allegedly molested at least a dozen young people across multiple countries, with evidence kept secret by the organization.
  • Jeune Afrique Magazine: Published investigation titled "In the sanctuary of pedophile priests" documenting abuse cases in Gabon.
  • Church Militant: Maintains ongoing coverage of SSPX abuse cases and institutional responses.

Advocacy and Response

Various individuals and organizations have been involved in advocacy regarding SSPX abuse cases, including victim support and institutional criticism. Some media outlets and commentators have been accused by victims of minimizing or defending against abuse allegations.

Legal and Regulatory Context

Multi-Jurisdictional Issues

SSPX abuse cases span multiple countries and jurisdictions, creating challenges for investigation and accountability:

  • Cases documented in France, Belgium, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Gabon
  • Varying statute of limitations laws across jurisdictions
  • International transfers of accused clergy between jurisdictions
  • Different reporting requirements and investigation procedures

Ongoing Investigations

As of 2022-2023, investigations were ongoing in multiple jurisdictions, including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's ongoing clergy abuse task force.

Verification and Sources

Information presented is based on:

  • Court records and legal proceedings
  • Law enforcement statements and investigations
  • Investigative journalism reports
  • Official SSPX statements and responses
  • Victim advocacy organization documentation
  • Academic and scholarly research

Readers seeking to verify specific claims are encouraged to consult original sources, including court documents, official law enforcement statements, and established investigative journalism sources.

This documentation represents information available as of 2022-2023 and may not reflect all current developments or ongoing proceedings.