David Haas, Catholic composer, ensnared by #MeToo accusations

Three women on Wednesday accused Catholic composer David Haas of sexual misconduct, the country’s leading Catholic newspaper reported.

In an article in The National Catholic Reporter, the women detailed nonconsensual sexual acts by Mr. Hass when they were under his tutelage in music ministry programs or camps.

Two described unwanted sexual advances at a camp in Minnesota, and the third said Mr. Haas forced himself on her in an attempted kiss at a camp in California.

Mr. Haas, composer of liturgical tunes such as “The Servant Song” and “You Are Mine,” has been beset by recent allegations of sexual misconduct.

On Sunday, his ex-wife, Jeanne Cotter, said he had taken advantage of her in the front seat of his car after an overnight music ministry retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“It took another 8 years of experience and professional therapeutic help for me to actually comprehend and believe the shape and form of sexual misconduct to which I had been exposed,” Ms. Cotter wrote on Facebook.

On June 13, the sacred music publishing house GIA Publications said it had become aware of allegations against Mr. Haas earlier this year and dropped him from representation.

Other allegations were publicized last month by Into Account, an organization that is a watchdog for sexual abuse in “Christian contexts.”

In a statement published to his website, Mr. Haas denied the Into Account allegations, calling them “false, reckless and offensive.”

“As an advocate for survivors of clergy sexual abuse and discrimination of all kinds, David Haas stands in solidarity and prayerful support of sexual abuse victims and encourages survivors to seek legitimate and appropriate professional services and/or to report any allegations to law enforcement,” the statement reads.

Mr. Haas was named the 2004 Pastoral Musician of the Year by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. His music is a staple in many parishes around the U.S.