Credibly Accused

Search lists of U.S. Catholic clergy that have been deemed credibly accused of sexual abuse or misconduct.

Published Jan. 28, 2020

This database was last updated in January 2020 and should only be used as a historical snapshot of the lists published by dioceses and religious orders. There may be changes to those records that are not reflected here.

If you find an error in the data or would like to suggest changes, contact us.

Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska

Charles Townsend

Status: Placed on administrative leave in 2018; pleaded no contest to criminal charges in March 2019; disposition pending

Appeared under the heading: “Diocese of Lincoln priests against whom substantiated allegations of childhood sexual abuse have been reported C.) Investigations - Priests on administrative leave pending disposition or under investigation for misconduct involving minors or young adults.* * This does not include other priests of the diocese on administrative leave. Each will remain on administrative leave until it is determined that they are suitable to return to ministry.”

Birth Year: Not reported

Ordination year: 1991

Reported assignment history:

St. Cecilia (Hastings)
St. Joseph (Lincoln)
Saints Peter and Paul (Falls City)
St. Michael (Hastings)
St. Cecilia Middle/High School (Hastings)
St. Joseph (Lincoln)
Pius X High School (Lincoln)
St. James (Mead)
Bishop Neumann Jr./Sr. High School (Wahoo)
St. Wenceslaus School (Wahoo)
St. Peter (Lincoln)

If you find an error in the data or would like to suggest changes, contact us.

Sources: U.S Catholic dioceses and religious orders, ProPublica reporting, Pontifical Yearbook (2019)

Data entry by: Tatyana Bellamy-Walker, Grace Haley, Samantha Maldonado, Spencer Norris, Anna Pouza, Lilia Saul

You can download this complete dataset at the ProPublica Data Store.