Diocese reports sexual abuse allegation against deceased priest who served at MSSU, Webb City

(From the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau)

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau reports an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor involving Fr. John A. Brath, deceased (2014).

The allegation pertains to a period in the mid-1970s. Following procedures outlined in diocesan Safe Environment Policies and Procedures, the Diocese has notified civil authorities of the allegation.

Additionally, pastoral support has been provided to the victim. Fr. Brath was born in 1938 and ordained a priest in 1968 for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. He served as a Chaplain in the Air Force from 1971 to 1974 earning the rank of Captain. Fr. Brath retired from active ministry in 2007. He died June 25, 2014.


Pastoral appointments for Fr. John Brath

1968 Supply Priest—Immaculate Conception Parish, New Madrid, MO
1968 Pastor—St. William Parish, Buffalo, MO
1968 Counselor—Sacred Heart House of Studies, Springfield (until 1971)
1970 Administrator—Sacred Heart Parish, Conway, MO; and Religion teacher in St. Agnes Regional High School, Springfield
1971 Released to military service
1974 Administrator—St. William Parish, Buffalo, MO 1975 Pastor—Sacred Heart Parish, Webb City, MO; and Chaplain, Missouri Southern College, Joplin, MO
1976 Pastor—Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Branson, and Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, Forsyth, MO
1977 Additional responsibilities as Pastor—Our Lady of the Cove Parish, Kimberling City, MO
1981 Pastor—St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lebanon, MO
1986 Pastor—St. Mary Parish, Pierce City, MO
1991 Pastor—St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Ozark, MO
1996 Pastor—Our Lady of the Cove, Kimberling City, MO
1998 Additional responsibilities as Pastor—Holy Family Parish, Shell Knob, MO
2001 Pastor—St. Mary Parish, West Plains, MO; Sacred Heart Parish, Thayer
2004 Pastor—St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lebanon, MO
2007 Retired
2014 Deceased

Assistance Provided to Victims

The Diocese will reach out to every person who has been the victim/survivor of sexual abuse as a minor by anyone acting in the name of the Church, whether the abuse was recent or occurred many years in the past.

This outreach will include provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services agreed upon by the victim and the Diocese.

The Assistance Coordinator will aid in the immediate pastoral care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other diocesan personnel. Persons who wish to document an allegation may do so by calling the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 of 844-CAN-TELL; or contact William Holtmeyer, Jr., MS, NCC, LPC, CEAP, Director of Child and Youth Protection, (417) 866-0841, or billholtmeyer@dioscg.org; or Victim Assistance Coordinator Judy St. John, LPC, NCC, (573) 587-3139, or vac1@dioscg.org; or through the diocesan Web-based TIPS Online reporting portal (see dioscg.org and look for “TIPS” link).

The Safe Environment Policies for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau are available by logging on to the diocesan Website at www.dioscg.org under the Child and Youth Protection ministry tab.