December 09, 2005

Diocese raises count of priest abuse claims by 6

INDIANA
The Journal Gazette

By Rebecca S. Green
The Journal Gazette

The Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Diocese issued an update on sexual abuse allegations within the diocese Thursday in the aftermath of the national clergy abuse scandal, and the number of priests accused of abuse within the local diocese since 1950 remains at 16.

That is the same number of accused priests announced by Bishop John M. D’Arcy in December 2003. But since the end of 2003, an additional five allegations were leveled against those 16 priests. Another credible allegation of sexual abuse, occurring more than 60 years ago, was made against a priest who could not be identified, according to the diocese, which brings the number of allegations since the end of 2003 to six.

Diocesan officials conducted an extensive investigation into the identity of the accused priest, who is believed to be a priest from a religious order or community, but were unable to identify him, the diocese said.

All of the allegations against the 16 priests are alleged to have occurred 20 or more years ago, according to the diocese.

Posted by kshaw at December 9, 2005 07:18 AM