Nine priests with ties to Wisconsin named to Jesuit list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of minors

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Nine priests with ties to Wisconsin have been named to a Jesuit list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of minors.

The USA Midwest Province of the Jesuits, a Roman-Catholic religious order, released the names of priests with at least one established allegation against them, meaning the Jesuits have determined the accusations reasonable.

Five priests were missioned in Milwaukee County during their alleged misdeeds.

Fr. Robert Joda was accused of abusing a minor in 1970 while at Marquette University. He was permanently removed from public ministry.

Fr. Zacharias Palakunnel was accused of abusing a minor in 1973 while at St. Eugene Parish in Fox Point. He died in 1991.

Br. Robert Joyce was accused of abusing minors between 1963-65 while at Marquette University High School. He was dismissed from the order in 1965.

Fr. Michael Kolb was accused of abusing a minor in 1986 while at Marquette University High School. He was permanently removed from public ministry.

Fr. Perry Robinson was accused of abusing minors between 1974-78 while at Marquette University High School. He was permanently removed from public ministry.

Reverend Brian Paulson with the Jesuit Order wrote a letter of apology to the victims and their families, saying in part “the failures of the Society of Jesus and the Church to protect those entrusted to its care fill our hearts with outrage, sorrow and shame.”

To read the full letter, click here.

Being named to the list has no legal ramifications in and of itself, and none of the Milwaukee County priests have ever been criminally charged in Wisconsin.

Four priests on the list were accused of abuse while at Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI in Crawford County.