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 Toledo, Ohio

Joseph M. Schmelzer

Status: Permanently removed from public ministry

Appeared under the heading: “Clergy who have been Permanently Removed from Public Ministry”

Birth Year: 1948

Ordination year: 1977

Reported assignment history:

1977-1980 - Calvert Catholic High School - Tiffin, OH - Instructor
1977-1980 - Saint Joseph Parish - Tiffin, OH - Associate Pastor
1980-1984 - Saint Wendelin Parish - Fostoria, OH - Associate Pastor
1980-1984 - Saint Wendelin High School - Fostoria, OH - Principal
1984-1985 - Saint Clement Parish - Toledo, OH - Associate Pastor
1985-1996 - Saint Louis Parish - Custar, OH - Pastor
1985-1996 - Immaculate Conception Parish - Deshler, OH - Pastor
1996-1997 - Saint John Parish - Payne, OH - Pastor
1996-2003 - Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish - Van Wert, OH - Pastor
2003 - Placed on administrative leave
2007 - Permanently removed from public ministry

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.