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 Crookston, Minnesota

Robert Bester

Status: Deceased (January 2, 2019), Laicized (December 15, 2006), Retired (July 1, 1999)

Appeared under the heading: “Individuals With Credible Claims Against Them Of Sexual Abuse Of A Minor Within The Diocese Of Crookston”

Birth Year: 1930

Ordination year: 1979

Reported assignment history:

Asst. Pastor: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston 1979-80
Headmaster: Mount Saint Benedict, Crookston 1980-1982
Pastor: St. Francis of Assisi, Fisher 1980-82
Pastor: St. Rose of Lima, Argyle
St. John the Baptist, Alma 1982-86
Administrator: St. John the Baptist, Alma 1986-87
Pastor: Blessed Sacrament, Greenbush
St. Aloysius, Leo 1987-1990
Pastor: St. Joseph, Middle River
St. Edward, Strandquist
St. Joseph, Benwood 1990-91
Leave of Absence: 1991-94
Chaplain: St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth 1995-99

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.