- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
By Times Staff | Thursday, December 04, 2008 | (1 comment(s))
This timeline, culled by The Times from the Official Catholic Directories and civil lawsuits, shows the Rev. Richard A. Emerson was reassigned numerous times during his nearly three decades with the Catholic Church. The timeline also shows extensive contact with youths during that time as well as leadership positions within the diocese.
1978 -- Completed seminary at St. Meinard Seminary in southern Indiana
1979, 1980, 1981 -- Assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond
1982 -- Became Diocese of Gary Boy Scouts liaison, served on the diocese Pastoral Council, served on the diocese Priests' Senate, remained assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
1983 -- Continued serving as Boy Scouts liaison and on the Pastoral Council, took over as director of Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood Association
1984 -- Continued serving as Boy Scouts liaison and director of Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood Association, served as administrator of Hoosier Boys' Town in Schererville -- a home for troubled, abandoned and abused youths, now known as Campagna Academy
1985 -- Continued serving as Boy Scouts liaison and administrator of Hoosier Boys' Town, became assistant chancellor of the diocese and director of the Diocese Liturgy Office.
1986, 1987 -- Continued serving as Boy Scouts liaison and administrator of Hoosier Boys' Town, assistant chancellor
1988, 1989 -- Assigned to Diocese of Orlando (Fla.), visiting priest at St. Charles Borromeo in Orlando
1990, 1991 -- Still assigned to the Diocese of Orlando, visiting priest at St. Peter's Church in DeLand, Fla.
1992 -- Back at the Diocese of Gary, became chancellor of the diocese, priest at Assumption Church in East Chicago
1993, 1994 -- Continued serving as chancellor, priest at Assumption and served on the diocese Bishop's Council of Priests.
1995 -- no longer chancellor, assigned to St. Joseph Church in LaPorte.
1996 -- Remained at St. Joseph Church in LaPorte, served as dean of the LaPorte County Deanery for the diocese, served on the Bishop's Council of Priests
1997 -- Assigned to St. Thomas More in Munster
1998 -- Remained at St. Thomas More, served on the Bishop's Council of Priests, served on the diocese Priest's Personnel Board
1999, 2000 -- Remained at St. Thomas More and on the Priest's Personnel Board, served as dean of the South Lake County Deanery
2001, 2002, 2003 -- Continued as a priest at St. Thomas More
2004 -- Moved to Notre Dame Parish in Michigan City. An Orlando, Fla., man filed a civil suit accusing Emerson of abuse.
2005 -- Remained assigned to Notre Dame Parish, on suspension
2006 -- Resigned from position at Notre Dame Parish
2008 -- Reportedly resides in Las Vegas. A second civil suit filed in February in Florida, alleging Emerson had a long-term relationship with a boy from the time the victim was 9 years old. A third civil lawsuit is filed Wednesday, this time in Lake County, alleging molestation of a boy at St. Thomas More in Munster.
Back to story 1 comment(s)
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.
mardie wrote on Dec 4, 2008 3:42 PM: