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Vaughn, 66, was a Croiser priest that currently lives in Yonkers and has previously worked various assignments in New York for more than a decade, including a Westchester grammar school and college, according to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis.
“We call on New York Catholic officials to tell parents, parishioners warn the public about him and beg anyone who may have been hurt by him to come forward and get help,” said David Clohessy, SNAP’s national director.
SNAP, a self-help group with chapters across the country for those who’ve been sexually assaulted by clergy, wants church officials to use parish bulletins, press releases, websites and other announcements to advise the public of Vaughn’s past.
"Mr. Vaughn was never a priest for the archdiocese of New York," said Kate Monaghan, the Archdiocese of New York's assistant communications director.
Vaughn was ordained a priest of the Crosier Order in 1977. The Crosier Fathers & Brothers released a statement on Oct. 23 naming Vaughn and other priests as having one or more "substantiated claims of sexual abuse against minors." There release of names were required under a condition of a lawsuit settlement by individuals who claim to have been abused by the priests.
Vaughn worked in various positions in the Diocese of Saint Cloud and Archidocese of Chicago between 1977 and 1987 and went onto “various assignments in New York," according to the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment.
The assignments in New York, according to BishopAccountability.org, were as follows:
- Chaplain, Iona Grammar School, New Rochelle, 1987–92
- Campus ministry, College of Mount St. Vincent, Bronx, 1987–89
- Campus ministry, Manhattanville College, Purchase, 1989–93
- Chaplain, Christian Brothers Residence, New Rochelle, 1993–96
- St. Elizabeth Ann Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Staten Island, 1997–99
- Director of Pastoral Care/Substance Abuse Counselor, Sisters of Charity Health Care System, Staten Island, 1999–2001.
He was removed from public ministry in 2000 and left his order in 2001.
Crosier Fathers & Brothers say Vaughn was accused of sexually molesting minors between 1977 and 1984.
Two men, a former student and alter boy, sued the Crosiers in 2006 saying they and other students were sexually abused by various priests at the Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minn., in the 70s, calling it a “house of horrors,” according to BishopAccountability.org.
Vaughn, who is listed as being sued and not convicted, worked at the seminary from 1977 to 1980.
“The only way they get on sex offender lists is when they're criminally convicted, and they are rarely ‘punished’ by Catholic officials, other than being suspended,” said Clohessy.
Monaghan said that the Archdiocese of New York currently does not have any more information on Vaughn and is "trying to learn more."
"However, we did alert the Westchester and Staten Island District Attorney’s office regarding this for their information," Monaghan told Daily Voice.
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