Diocese of Jefferson City adds two names to accused clergy

The Diocese of Jefferson City announced over the weekend that it has updated the list of 33 priests and religious leaders accused of abuse within the church.

The diocese added two names to the list of those accused and changed the status of one priest. Don Greene, who previously died, was added to the list, according to the diocese. Mel Lahr was removed from ministry “because of a credible allegation of violation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” the diocese’s website said. Robert Duesdieker was also removed from ministry after a “credible allegation of violation of the Charter.”

The diocese said the last instance of physical sexual abuse happened in 1997.

“Since then, we have had two credible allegations of violations of the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People: one being the inappropriate use of social media; and the other, Internet pornography depicting minors,” the diocese said on its website.

The list of religious leaders within the diocese who have been credibly accused of such abuse is now at 35.

Anyone suspecting abuse in the church can call the Catholic Church to the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect hotline at 1-800-392-3738, the Missouri Adult Abuse & Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210 and the diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, Nancy Hoey, at 573-694-3199.

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