Lawrence Donald Soens

Lawrence Donald Soens (August 26, 1926 – November 1, 2021) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City in Iowa from 1983 to 1998.

In 2008, the Diocese of Davenport in Iowa announced multiple credible accusations that Soens had sexually abused children as a priest.

Life and career Early life Lawrence Soens was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on August 26, 1926. He was educated at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, Saint Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, and studied for the priesthood at Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri. He also completed graduate studies at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

Priesthood Soens was ordained a priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport by Bishop Ralph Leo Hayes on May 6, 1950, for the Diocese of Davenport.

Bishop of Sioux City On June 15, 1983, John Paul II named Soens as the fifth bishop of Sioux City. He was consecrated on August 17, 1983, at the Cathedral of the Ephiphany in Sioux City by Archbishop James Byrne. Bishops Gerald O'Keefe and Frank Greteman were the principal co-consecrators.

In February 1986, Soens received a letter detailing allegations against Reverend Jerome Coyle, a diocesan priest. The diocese had sent Coyle to Minnesota to train as a hospital chaplain. A supervisor in that program wrote Soens that Coyle was exhibiting inappropriate behavior around young boys. Soens then dispatched Coyle to the Servants of the Paraclete foundation house in Jemez Springs, New Mexico for evaluation and treatment. In May 1986, the Foundation informed Soens that Coyle had admitted to fondling up to 50 teenagers. Soens suspended Coyle from parish assignments, but did not report any of his crimes to authorities.

While Soens was bishop, many programs were established or expanded, including: Ministry 2000, the Priests Retirement Fund, youth ministry programs and the diocese mandated parish pastoral and finance commissions.

In 1997, Soens requested a coadjutor bishop to assist him with his duties. On August 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II named Monsignor Daniel DiNardo from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Resignation and legacy

Soens's resignation as bishop of Sioux City was accepted by John Paul II on November 28, 1998. In November 2008, the diocesan review board for Sioux City reported that there were credible accusations that Soens had sexually abused minors. Thirty-one men had accused him of abusing them between 1950 and 1983. His case was referred to the Vatican for further action.

Lawrence Soens died in Sioux City, Iowa, on November 1, 2021, at age 95.