SEATTLE – The Archdiocese of Seattle updated its list of clergy and religious for whom allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have been admitted, established or determined to be credible on March 31 to include Dominican Sister Jerry Lyness and Father Thomas Phelan. 

According to a news release, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne approved the addition of Sister Lyness and Father Phalen to the list after an independent review from former FBI-agent Kathleen McChesney and her firm, Kinsale Management Consulting, and guidance from the Archdiocesan Review Board, which is mainly composed of independent lay experts. 

In December 2022, the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Tacoma settled a case involving allegations of inappropriate touching by Sister Lyness in approximately 1982 at St. Patrick School in Tacoma, the release said. Sister Lyness, who was also known as Sister Mary Jerome, was a teacher at St. Patrick School from 1976 to 1994 and was co-principal from 1991 to 1994. Her previous assignments included Holy Rosary School and Our Lady of the Lake School, both in Seattle, and Aquinas Academy and Marymount School, both in Tacoma. She is now deceased.

In December 2022, the Archdiocese of Seattle settled a case involving allegations of childhood sexual abuse by Father Phelan in approximately 1978 at St. Ann Parish in Tacoma, according to the release. Father Phelan served as pastor at St. Ann from 1973 to 1983 and is now deceased. He also served at Church of the Assumption Parish in Bellingham, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Camas, Holy Cross Parish in Tacoma, and Holy Family, Christ the King, Our Lady of Lourdes and Assumption parishes, all in Seattle. 

In March 2023, the Archdiocese of Seattle settled a case involving allegations of a single incident of assault and inappropriate touching by a student at Bishop Blanchet High School around 1983, the release said.  

As part of its commitment to transparency, the Archdiocese of Seattle will continue to update its Protect and Heal website. The website covers the history of sexual abuse in the archdiocese, which peaked in 1975 and has since sharply declined. The website also outlines how since the early 1980s, the archdiocese has taken steps to prevent abuse, protect the community and help victims and their families heal.

Today the archdiocese enforces its Safe Environment Program with policies and procedures designed to prevent and recognize signs of sexual abuse of minors.

To report any suspicion of abuse by any church personnel, please contact local law enforcement. In addition, anyone who has knowledge of misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call the archdiocesan helpline at 1-800-446-7762.