Wielebski, John (Fr.)

Father John Wielebski was ordained on July 15, 1978. Wielebski preyed upon teenage boys in distress, leveraging his power as a clergy member to control them and sexually abuse them into the victim’s adulthood. One victim was referred to Wielebski for counseling to address the victim’s previous sexual abuse. Wielebski took the victim on out-of-state trips, and began fondling the victim’s genitals. Wielebski provided work and housing for the victim at the Sparks retreat house, making the victim “cuddle hug” him and he made the victim rub Wielebki’s amputated leg. A second victim reported that Wielebski took the victim on an out of state trip, made the victim watch a pornographic movie in a hotel room, and tickled his stomach while the movie played. Another victim saw Wielbebski for counselling, which included naked hugging as part of the “therapy.” Wielebski told the victim not to tell anyone about the “therapy” because it would be “your word against mine.” After his abuses were reported in 2009, Wielebski was forced to resign, and not present himself publicly as a priest. The Archdiocese lists Wielbeski as credibly accused.