Two of the Franciscan Provincials Indicted in Pennsylvania Served in the Diocese of St. Cloud.

This past week, three  Franciscan Provincials were indicted for failing to supervise a Franciscan brother accused of sexually abusing more than 100 children across the country.  The Brother Stephen Baker  served as a religion teacher, sports trainer and baseball coach. He told the boys they needed massages to avoid injuries, and molested them as he massaged them.  He abused more than 80 children while working at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, Pa., from 1992 to 2000 and several boys at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, Ohio, in the late 1980s. Baker also is accused of abusing boys  at St. Patrick’s Church in Inver Grove Heights from 1974 to 1976, and from 1978 to 1980.

The Provincials are charged for failing in their  responsible of overseeing “safety plans” for members accused of abusing children, and the assignment and discipline of all friars. It was reported the Minneapolis Tribune that :

Criscitelli, Schinelli and D’Aversa are charged in connection with Baker’s abuse at Bishop McCort, which continued until 2010. After a “hero’s” send-off from the school, Baker returned regularly. He set up a tent outside sports practices to treat injuries, attended football camp with students, went on overnight retreats and accessed the school’s athletic facilities with the help of a teacher.

Both D’Aversa and Schinelli  served in St Cloud :

Rev. Robert D’Aversa:

Giles A. Schinelli: