Lawrence Donald Soens
Lawrence Donald Soens (August 26, 1926 – November 1, 2021) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. In 2008, the Diocese of Davenport in Iowa announced multiple credible accusations that Soens had sexually abused children as a priest. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City in Iowa from 1983 to 1998. 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 by Bishop Ralph Leo Hayes on May 6, 1950, for the Diocese of Davenport. Soens' first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Paul's Parish in Burlington, Iowa. He then joined the faculty of St. Ambrose Academy in Davenport, Iowa and then became the assistant pastor at St. Bridget's Parish in Victor, Iowa. Soens' next assignment was as director of Regina High School in Iowa City. He went on to become the rector of St. Ambrose Seminary and served on