My two-decade long battle against a wolf in sheep's clothing.

By J. Basil Dannebohm

J. Basil Dannebohm

As a child, I was fortunate to attend St. Joseph School in Ellinwood, Kansas, a Catholic elementary and middle school conducted by the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Desiring to continue my Catholic education, I left home after St. Joseph School and attended Thomas More Prep-Marian, a Catholic high school with a residency program in Hays, Kansas. I have always credited Catholic education as the firm foundation that formed my character, my faith, and ultimately, my future.

Maintaining my commitment to Catholic education, in the year 2000, I chose to attend Newman University, a Catholic university in Wichita, Kansas, also founded by the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ. It was there that my life took a dramatic turn and was forever changed.

As a student with the goal of majoring in theology, I befriended a priest who was a member of the faculty. Father PL was a former member of the Eastern Orthodox clergy. His last assignment within the Antiochian Archdiocese was at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Wichita, Kansas. I would later discover that his canonical release from Orthodoxy was not entirely voluntary as he suggested.

As a convert to Catholicism, Father PL retained his priesthood and was incardinated into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita where he was granted bi-ritual faculties. He had a wife and a daughter. In addition to serving on the faculty at Newman, Father PL was a theology instructor at Kapaun Mt. Carmel, a Catholic high school in Wichita, Kansas. He was likewise a chaplain for Via Christi health systems, serving both the St. Joseph and St. Francis campuses.

Father PL was in the process of establishing an Eastern Rite (Byzantine) Fellowship in Wichita. He was charismatic, persuasive, and incredibly determined. He was likewise divisive, manipulative, and dishonest. Unfortunately, by the time I discovered his dark side it was too late.

As our friendship grew, he informed me of his conclusion that it was in my best interest for him to assume the role of my spiritual father and confessor.

I questioned neither his assessment nor his motive. Estranged from my biological father, the only men in my life throughout my childhood were priests. In my elementary school years, I was mentored by Father JB, who was one of the finest members of the clergy I have ever known. In high school, I was a protégé of Father BB, a Capuchin friar, who was likewise profoundly influential in my life. I owe much to these men, and other amazing priests who were there for me in the absence of a father.

It’s likewise important to understand that during this time, stories of clergy abuse had not yet become commonplace in the mainstream media. This was well before the Boston Globe’s historic investigation into the scandals the rocked the Archdiocese of Boston. The only case of clergy abuse known to me came just a few weeks prior to my arrival at Newman University when my former high school religion teacher, Father RG, was arrested on multiple charges of sexual incidents with minors. Though I spent a lot of time with Father RG (who confessed to his crimes), he never made any sort of advances or displayed inappropriate behavior toward me – in public or private.

The naivete of my youth precluded me from seeing the warning signs surrounding the situation with Father PL. He treated me like every other priest in my life. Thus, I trusted him: as a spiritual director, confessor, and friend.

Aware that I had remaining funds from my student loan and that I had just received a credit card from Catholic Family Federal Credit Union, Father PL leveraged penance as a means by which to convince me that I should use the leftover student loan funds to purchase necessary liturgical elements for his Eastern Rite mission. As an act of obedience, I purchased chapel sized icons (Christ the Teacher, the Theotokos, St. John the Baptist, St. Anna, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, and the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles – all purchased from St. Isaac of Syria Skete in Boscobel, Wisconsin), vigil lamps (purchased at Illuminations on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri), and various other liturgical items from Istok Eastern Church Supplies.

Father PL was invited to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri. At his request, I missed classes at Newman and transported him and a student from Kapaun Mt. Carmel to Conception Seminary. On the way, we stopped at a Russell Stover’s Candy factory outlet store near Interstate 29, where he used my credit card to purchase several large bags of candy. We then stopped at Cub Foods, where he purchased liquor. That evening at the seminary, he invited both the high school student and me to join him for a swim at the seminary pool. I chose not to swim, though I sat on the side of the pool. After swimming, he invited the high school student and me to his room for drinks. I declined and retired to my room. The high school student joined him. The next morning, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the presence of the assembled monastics, faculty, and student body.

A few weeks later, Father PL informed me that he was invited to Pennsylvania for an audience with Archbishop Judson Procyk, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Again, as an act of penance, he instructed me to use my credit card to pay the airfare for his visit to Pittsburgh. By this time, I was quickly accruing a considerable amount of debt (as a full-time student with no source of employment, I had no way to repay it. Nevertheless, I honored his request. Once again, he asked that I serve as his driver to Kansas City International Airport. Missing more classes, we left Wichita during the mid-afternoon en route to Kansas City on the day before his scheduled flight.

We arrived in Kansas City, Missouri just after sunset during the 5 o’clock rush hour. Father PL wanted to eat and requested that we dine at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the affluent Country Club Plaza neighborhood. I agreed and paid the tab. As we left the restaurant, it was starting to snow. Being an 18-year-old who had never driven in a metropolitan area, the weather made me nervous. We were to travel to Kansas City, Kansas where we would stay the night at the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on Parallel Parkway. The facility, which was formally a minor seminary, offered guest rooms and served as a retreat center. There were no other guests during our stay.

The visibility was significantly decreased as our vehicle made the slow trek to the center. Upon arrival, we were greeted by an older priest and shown to our rooms. Once we were settled, the older priest took his leave.

Later that evening, Father PL came to my room. He said he wanted to explore the center. I agreed. We visited the chapel and other public spaces.

Exhausted from the trek through the snow, I excused myself and retired to my room.

A short time later, Father PL again knocked on my door and asked if he could come in to visit about the travel details for his upcoming trip. Though I was already in my pajamas (long sleeve button up night shirt and pants), I consented and allowed him to enter the room. He said he wanted to pray for the upcoming journey. Upon concluding his prayer, he gave me a hug. He then looked me in the eyes and proceeded to place his hand into the elastic top my pajama pants.

I stood up and immediately I fled the room.

At first, I ran down the hall, then slowed to a walk as I searched for a safe space to go where I could avoid confrontation. Father PL caught up with me in a lobby. He stated that he was “just kidding,” encouraged me not to be so “stuffy” and to simply “relax.” He claimed it was “just a little joke.”

I didn’t see it as a joke.

I told him I was tired and that it was necessary for us both return to our respective rooms and get some rest.

He reluctantly agreed.

The next morning, I met Father PL at my vehicle when it was time to transport him to the airport. He attempted to make small talk on the trip. I apologized for my silence, stating that I was “having difficulty waking up.” I dropped him off at the airport and returned to Wichita.

The next day, I called him and informed him that I had fallen ill and would be unable to pick him up from the airport upon his return.

He could read between the lines that I was hurt and incredibly uncomfortable.

He abruptly hung up on me.

Upon his return, I endured threats and intimidation tactics from a middle-aged man who had a strange fixation and dynamic with Father PL. This gentleman moonlighted between St. Mary’s Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic mission. When he was in the presence of Father PL, the gentleman wore a cassock, though he had no minor orders, faculties, nor distinctions. Following the divine services, the two would frequent Wichita bars together until late in the night.

For my part, I made no mention of the incident that occurred in Kansas City. I was told by Father PL’s associate that if I “caused any trouble” Father PL would make sure that I “failed all of my classes” and that I would be “kicked out of Newman.”

“Don’t f*ck around, or else,” he said.

Father PL and his associate informed the Eastern Rite mission attendees that I had “abandoned the mission due to my mental instability.”

That was true, at least in part.

After spending several weeks in bed, falling behind in classes, and suffering from depression, the counselor at Newman University contacted my mother and recommended that she check in on me.

I didn’t tell my mother what had transpired only a few weeks prior. Though I did tell her that I was afraid and suffering from intense depression. I requested to leave Newman for a period and live with my mother and stepfather in Salina. During that time, I admitted myself for daily outpatient treatment at Prairie View Mental Health in Newton, Kansas. I commuted between Salina and Newton for the next month.

Because of the incident that occurred at the hands of Father PL, I sought out the spiritual guidance of His Grace, BE, an Orthodox bishop in Wichita. The bishop knew Father PL intimately well. He was godfather of Father PL’s daughter. Bishop BE shared me with some of the details that led to Father PL’s removal from St. Mary’s Orthodox Church. His Grace was likewise acquainted with the peculiar relationship between Father PL and his associate turned henchman. He encouraged me to attend St. George Orthodox Cathedral if I sought Eastern Spirituality, assuring me that Father PL would never bother me there.

It wasn’t that I necessarily wanted Eastern Spirituality. I simply didn’t want to be anywhere near Father PL or his associate. Thus, for as long as he would remain on the faculty at Newman University, I resolved that I would attend St. George Cathedral.

A few months later, I was contacted by a member of the Eastern Catholic mission who informed me that Father PL told the group he was going to San Francisco to attend a Catholic healthcare conference. He took with him several liturgical items and the mission’s cash supply. He never returned from California. The individual asked on behalf of the group if I would return to the mission and meet with the members. I asked why they wanted to meet with me and inquired whether the associate turned henchman was still attending.

The mission messenger informed me that the associate turned henchman was still attending and his presence was part of the reason the group was growing concerned. She said they “never really bought the whole mental illness excuse” that Father PL and his associate offered for my departure. She said the group suspected that the associate turned henchman knew the whereabouts of Father PL and was funneling him money and information. I told her I would need to take the group’s meeting request under consideration.

Father PL’s sudden departure seemed to occur at an opportune time. The Catholic Diocese of Wichita’s bishop, Thomas Olmsted, had just been assigned as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. This left Wichita in the hands of an apostolic administrator.

I contacted Monsignor RH, who, along with Father DB was overseeing the diocese. Without mentioning what happened to me in Kansas City, I shared with him what I had been told by the Eastern Catholic mission member. Like me, Msgr. RH smelled a rat. I told him that since it looked as though Father PL had left town for good, I felt comfortable returning to Newman to take a few classes. I shared with him that I was planning to begin attending mass at the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ Wichita Center. I explained that while I was comfortable attending classes, I was not comfortable attending mass at Newman just yet.

He understood.

“But can I ask a favor,” he inquired.

“Meet with the Byzantines. See what they want. It sounds like Father PL is a bad poker player and they saw his cards.”

I told him I would see what I could find out.

I met with the Eastern Rite community. The associate turned henchman was not invited to the meeting. The members expressed their anger, frustration, and suspicions. They were likewise worried about Father PL’s wife and daughter who remained in Wichita.

When it was clear that Father PL was not returning, the Very Reverend LG, a Melkite priest assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, was tapped to oversee the Eastern Rite mission. He was assisted by the Reverend JT, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita who was granted bi-ritual faculties.

In the months ahead, I would attend mass at the ASC Wichita Center and then, at the request of Msgr. RH, I assisted Fathers LG and JT with the Divine Liturgies, which had changed venues since my initial departure, being held at Via Christi St. Francis instead of the Catholic Spiritual Life Center.

Newman University became a painful place for me. Though I felt comfortable with the sisters, the trauma I endured at the hands of a clergy faculty member, the threats that occurred thereafter, and the unclean feeling became tremendous stumbling stone in both my spiritual and academic journeys. Though I had weighed the call to priesthood my entire life, I found myself unable to continue my spiritual discernment.

I never spoke of what happened to me at the hands of Father PL with anyone and eventually took my leave from Wichita. The associate turned henchman would continue to stalk and threaten me for several years thereafter.

Following Father PL’s abrupt departure from Wichita, the associate turned henchman made several public posts on a “ByzCath” message board. In his posts, he credited himself as the person who influenced the bi-ritual priest to found the Eastern Catholic mission, he disparaged me and the clergy replacements at the mission; and noted that Father PL was no longer a member of the clergy.

You might ask why I never spoke up.

As I mentioned, clergy abuse was not yet as mainstream of a subject as it is today. I knew that if I said anything, I would be shunned, slandered, and essentially exiled. Likewise, having already endured a childhood of "sissy" accusations, combined with the fact that I was 18 when the incident happened, I was convinced that nobody would believe my story. Worse yet, I feared the good priests in might life might opt to distance themselves from me if I spoke out against one of their own. (When I eventually spoke out, they did just that.)

In the years that followed, I maintained my silence having observed what happened to other victims who stepped forward with similar stories.

The unfortunate reality is that the Catholic Church has a track record of casting judgement, blaming, and shunning the victim. Very few return to “normal” parish life. There are Catholics who even suggest that such accounts are fabricated. For my part, I remember the event that happened to me in significant detail. My credit card statements, timelines, historic weather data, and a host of other evidence corroborate my testimony.

More than a decade later, I was residing in Northern California. During that time, I was invited to a special liturgy by an Orthodox priest to be held at his parish in Rancho Cordova, a suburb of Sacramento. There in the congregation stood the man who sexually assaulted me in Kansas. Father PL was wearing a floral print shirt and holding hands with a gentleman I was left to assume was his partner. The Orthodox priest informed me that he knew Father PL as “SL,” which was his birth name. (Like many members of the Orthodox clergy, he went by his chrismation name as a priest.) The Orthodox priest knew nothing of SL’s former life as an Orthodox turned bi-ritual Catholic priest. Neither did he know of SL’s estranged wife and daughter. I never returned to the parish; hence I never saw “SL” and his partner again.

Over the years, I found myself lacking closure concerning what happened to me in at that retreat center in Kansas City and the subsequent encounter near Sacramento.

The beginning of that closure would come several years later in 2018, when I found myself traveling to Steubenville, Ohio. When I arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport, as I was making my way through the terminal, I encountered Father C, a Catholic monk who I recognized from a monastery in Oklahoma.

We began to visit and he informed me that he was departing Pittsburgh having attended a conference for Eastern Rite Catholic clergy which focused on 'safe environment' training (the monk had bi-ritual faculties and was overseeing a Byzantine mission in Oklahoma).

I shared with him that I wished such safeguards had been in place when I was younger.

“Perhaps such training would have prevented Father PL from sexually assaulting me,” I said.

“Did you say, Father PL,” he asked with a look of concern.

I affirmed that I had indeed said that individual’s name. He asked me to describe Father PL, which I did. I assured him that Father PL was no longer a priest and shared with him my encounter with “SL” and his partner in California. The monk then took out his phone and pulled up a photo of Father PL/SL. He asked me if this was the man to whom I was referring.

Indeed, it was.

“He’s here,” the monk said. “Father PL is the pastor of a parish in West Virginia and serves as chaplain to the Basilian Sisters in Pennsylvania.”

The monk grew very concerned. We exchanged numbers and went our separate ways.

The news came as a shock to me, too. In the years that followed the California encounter, I thought I would never have to hear the name PL/SL again. Learning of his presence, I immediately feared that at some point our paths would once again cross. I scanned through social media and saw tagged images of him in various parish posts. His name was once again “Father PL” and he was indeed listed as the chaplain of a convent. There was no denying it, he was back in ministry.

But how was this possible?

A week later that I contacted the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Ahead of my call, however, Father C, whom I encountered in the airport had already contacted the chancery to express his concern. I left a message with the executive secretary, who was a Basilian Sister. A short time later, I received a text, followed by a phone call from a cell phone number belonging to Archbishop William Scurla.

He informed me that he had received word about my report. He went on to tell me that he contacted Father PL. He shared with me that upon mentioning my name, Father PL resigned from his pastoral assignments effective immediately and abruptly declined to answer any further questions.

I asked how it was possible that a man who had left the priesthood to live with a man who was presumably his partner could be reinstated and assigned to a parish and a convent on the other side of the country.

“We made a mistake,” the archbishop replied. “All I can say is that I am sorry.”

I asked the archbishop to elaborate.

Without sharing many details, he laid the blame on Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix. After leaving Wichita for Arizona, Olmsted was later simultaneously tasked with serving as apostolic administrator of the Ruthenian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Protection of Mary, which included California. Olmsted, I was told, reinstated Father PL and provided him with a letter of good standing for transfer to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

During the call, it was evident that Archbishop Scurla was both nervous and somewhat sympathetic. He encouraged me to meet with the archeparchy’s attorney. I consented and met with her a few days later. At that same time, an announcement was posted on the archeparchy’s website that Father PL was no longer active in ministry.

The archeparchy’s legal counsel had just as many questions for me as I had for her.

By this stage in my career, I had done enough investigative work to know which questions to ask. I also had dealt with enough groomers, abusers, grifters, and cult leaders to see in retrospect that Father PL was a textbook example of a narcissistic sexual predator.

The attorney and I revisited Father PL’s trip to Pittsburgh years ago. Though he stopped by the campus bookstore at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary, she informed me there were no records that he ever visited Archbishop Procyk, which he alleged was the purpose of the trip that I paid for nearly two decades prior. She reaffirmed that Father PL had recently left ministry and was in the process of securing an apartment. She requested that I go before a diocesan tribunal to share my story so that Father PL might be “appropriately disciplined.”

Experience equipped me with the knowledge to decline the opportunity to appear before a tribunal. Instead, I informed the attorney that I would be filing a report with law enforcement, not the Catholic Church.

“If the Church couldn’t be bothered to investigate his background after more than a decade of absence from ministry, why in the hell should I have even the slightest confidence in a tribunal,” I inquired.

I was informed that should I choose not to appear before the archeparchy's tribunal, Father PL would not be added to the list of credibly accused.

“Just pray on it,” she replied.

I prayed on it, and during that time, I happened upon an article announcing that Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt had opened an investigation into Catholic clergy abuse in Kansas. The article urged victims to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

So, I did.

Within a few days, I was contacted by a special agent. A couple of weeks later, two agents from the KBI arrived at my office near Steubenville and recorded my testimony. They assured me that the matter would be carefully investigated, noting that it might take some time before I would hear back from them.

Roughly two years later, I received an update from one of the agents who met with me near Steubenville. By this time, I was working on a different assignment near the border of the Carolinas.

The agent informed me that after Father PL left Wichita, Kansas, he relocated to California, where he did indeed reside with a male partner. Investigators learned that Father PL, going by the name SL, created a false resume and secured a position as the executive director of the Sacramento Youth Symphony. “SL” never disclosed to the symphony board or its staff that he was ever married, had a daughter, or was a priest.

“We never knew he was a priest,” a member of the executive staff testified. “We just always knew him as SL.”

Investigators further discovered that Father PL remained in a leadership position with the youth symphony until he and his partner decided to part ways. With no place to go, he created yet another false resume and was reinstated as a priest in good standing by Bishop Thomas Olmsted.

It’s worth noting that in 2008, the Diocese of Phoenix spent several million dollars to settle some 20 sexual abuse lawsuits. Under Olmsted, the diocese researched and cataloged an index of its clergymen accused of sexually abusing children and released some of their identities to the public. The diocese subsequently published a list of sexually abusive clergymen on its website.

However, in his capacity as apostolic administrator of the Ruthenians, Olmsted couldn’t be bothered to thoroughly investigate Father PL, a man who: sexually assaulted me, left the priesthood, lived with a male lover, forged a resume, then forged another resume.

Perhaps because Bishop Olmsted knew Father PL from his time in Wichita, he didn’t feel it necessary to investigate his background?

Perhaps “SL,” who departed Wichita just weeks after Olmstead, knowingly and maliciously returned to the bishop more than a decade later seeking reinstatement, knowing he would leverage their previous diocesan relationship?

Those were questions investigators would be unable to answer.

They were, however, able to conclude that the visit Father PL made to Pittsburgh at my expense was not to meet with the archbishop, but rather, for a sexual rendezvous with a man he solicited via the internet.

The KBI completed their investigations into Catholic clergy abuse toward the conclusion of Attorney General Schmidt's term of office. At that time, an agent informed me that mine was one of the cases deemed credible. The agent shared with me that the Wyandotte County Attorney’s office sought to file charges, but the statute of limitations and extradition laws precluded any prosecution. However, the agent told me, were Father PL to ever return to Kansas, the clock on the statute of limitations would be reset and charges could then be filed.

The KBI’s report on Catholic clergy abuse can be found on the Kansas Attorney General’s website.

Father PL now resides in a studio apartment in a run-down complex in Cranberry Township on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Though inactive, when last checked, he remains on the archeparchy's payroll. Sources have reported that he has no contact with his former wife or his estranged daughter.

After receiving the update from investigators, I shared the information with a Catholic priest friend from the Diocese of Wichita.

He was candid with me.

“Nobody ever appropriately vetted that man. Not when he came to us from the Orthodox, not when he left the diocese, and evidently, not when he returned to active ministry. The Church failed, and sadly, this happens all the time,” he said.

The Church, indeed, failed.

Bishop Thomas Olmsted failed.

Archbishop William Scurla failed.

For their part, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita should have informed Newman University, Via Christi Health Systems, and Kapaun Mt. Carmel that a priest previously employed by their institutions had been accused and was under investigation. I was told this did not happen because Father PL “was a Byzantine.”

True, but the Diocese of Wichita had no problem employing his services.

Likewise, it was the Diocese of Wichita – not the Ukrainian Eparchy of Chicago that granted Father PL bi-ritual faculties. To say that he was not part of their diocese, hence they would not list him among the credibly accused, was frankly a convenient cop-out.

Father PL permitted a student, who was a freshman at Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, to engage in underage drinking during a trip to Conception, Missouri. This alone merits a more thorough investigation on the part of the diocese.

In the time since the incident that occurred while I was a student at Newman University, I’ve experienced my share of blessings and struggles. My life took a much different direction than I could have ever imagined. I have been used, abused, falsely accused, defamed, threatened, and demeaned. I’ve also been vindicated, exonerated, and blessed beyond measure. I’ve been afforded some incredible opportunities and a career the likes of which books are written about. I’m not a victim, I’m a victor. Though I feel as though I am unwelcome in the Catholic Church, I refuse to let what happened to me a quarter of a century ago define my faith today.

In 2025, I was informed that the Eastern Rite mission in Wichita has seen numerous changes in membership, pastors, and affiliation over the years. The community is no longer under the patronage of the Holy Apostles. It is a mission of the Byzantine Eparchy of Parma under the patronage of St. Anna. The community uses Newman University’s chapel as its worship space. Some years back, I had the opportunity to meet with former Bishop Milan Lach of Parma during a visit to Cleveland. We discussed the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Bishop Lach informed me that numerous other abuse cases were mishandled under Archbishop Scurla’s leadership.

In 2026, I paid a visit to the place which was for me a source of tremendous trauma: Newman University. While I was impressed with the renovations made to the chapel, I was disappointed to see the icons being used by the Byzantine Mission, which I was forced to purchase as an act of “penance,” were on display in the sanctuary.

You might be asking yourself, “What does he hope to achieve by writing this lengthy account?”

I have nothing to gain and do not desire anything other than to make my story known. I am tired of hiding in shame over an incident that wasn’t my fault.

Throughout the investigation and in the time thereafter, the only response I’ve received from the Diocese of Wichita, other than the candid remarks of a priest, was an email dated 3 May 2026 from the Victim Assistance Coordinator.

The message read:

“I apologize for responding to your emails so tardily. Thank you for trusting me with the information about the trauma you experienced. I am praying for continued healing for you. God bless.”

To this day, I am convinced beyond measure, the only men in dresses preying on children are members of the clergy. I am likewise convinced that the only regret on the part of the Church is that the wolves in sheep’s clothing continue to get caught.