Lawrence Welsh | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Titular Bishop of Aulon | |
| See | Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis |
| Appointed | November 5, 1991 |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Spokane 1991 to 1999 Titular Bishop of Aulon 1991 to 1999 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 26, 1962 by Joseph Michael Gilmore |
| Consecration | December 14, 1978 by Raymond Hunthausen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1935-02-01)February 1, 1935 Winton, Wyoming, US |
| Died | January 13, 1999(1999-01-13) (aged 63) |
Lawrence Harold Welsh (February 1, 1935 – January 13, 1999) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota from 1991 to 1999. He previously served as bishop of theDiocese of Spokane in Washington State from 1978 to 1989.
Lawrence Welsh was born on February 1, 1935, inWinton, Wyoming. He was ordained a priest for theDiocese of Helena by BishopJoseph Michael Gilmore on March 26, 1962.[1]
On November 6, 1978, Pope John Paul II appointed Welsh as bishop of theDiocese of Spokane. He was consecrated by ArchbishopRaymond Gerhardt Hunthausen on December 14, 1978.[1]
Welsh was accused of reassigning the priest Patrick O'Donnell to another parish after three families brought allegations of sexual abuse of children by O'Donnell to the knowledge of Bishop Welsh.[2]
On August 21, 1991, John Paul II accepted Welsh's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Spokane. His resignation came after a recent arrest in Spokane fordriving under the influence of alcohol.[2][1]
On November 5, 1991, John Paul II appointed Welsh as an auxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and Titular Bishop of Aulon[1] Lawrence Welsh died on January 13, 1999, at age 63 inHelena, Montana.[1]
In October 2002, it was revealed that Welsh was investigated by theSpokane Police Department in 1986 on an assault allegation from Chicago. On September 9, 1986, a malesex worker claimed that Welsh, in Chicago for aKnights of Columbus convention, had taken him to a motel. While the man was performing oral sex, he said that Welsh "began to strangle him."[2] During his police interview, Welsh admitted to picking up a so-called drug addict and taking him to his hotel room for counseling. On further questioning, Welsh admitted to putting his hands all over the accuser's body.[3] The investigation resulted in Welsh being considered as a possible suspect for the Green River serial killings for whichGary Ridgway was later convicted.[4]
On September 29, 1986, the Spokane police met with Welsh and Seattle ArchbishopRaymond Hunthausen. At this meeting, Welsh stated that "he did not feel he did anything violent in the course of the sex act and that if he had it would have been as an outlet for frustrations that had built up within him."[3] Welsh, Hunthausen, and the police detectives agreed that Welsh should be examined by apsychiatrist.[2][3] Welsh was never charged in the incident; one former Spokane detective claimed that the story had been "handled in a hush-hush manner". This incident did not become public until October 2002, when the SpokaneSpokesman-Review published the story.
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Spokane 1978–1990 | Succeeded by |
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