Fr. William C. Wert, O.Carm.
Ordination: 1986
Assignments:
- 1987-1988: Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, CA 1989-1993 Carmelites St. Elias Priory, Joliet, IL (Vice Principal)
- 1990-1993: Joliet Catholic High School, Joliet, IL 1994-1999 Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, CA (Archdiocese of Los Angeles)
- 2000-2001: Mt. Carmel High School, Chicago, IL (Archdiocese of Chicago)
- 2002-2007: Unknown
- 2007: Arrested; unknown
- 2007-2011: Venice, FL
- 2011-2018: Arrested; sentenced to life in prison
A member of the Carmelite Order, Fr. William C. Wert worked in California at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino. Fr. Wert was arrested in 2007 in Washington D.C. for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and five years’ probation. The Order moved Fr. Wert to a church-owned retirement home in Venice, Florida and banned him from ministry following his 2007 sentencing. Fr. John Welch, a Prior who oversaw Fr. Wert, did not notify the Diocese of Venice about his presence or conviction. The retirement home Fr. Wert resided in was located just four blocks from Epiphany Cathedral and its school. In 2011, Fr. Wert was again arrested on child sexual abuse charges. He was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy between approximately 2010 and 2011. A civil lawsuit was filed naming Fr. Wert in 2011. In 2013, Fr. Wert was sentenced to life in prison.