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| Lou. Priest on Administrative Leave after Sexual Abuse Allegations
WHAS
October 3, 2014
http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Lou-priest-on-administrative-leave-after-sexual-abuse-allegations-278061571.html
The Archdiocese of Louisville has placed a priest on administrative leave.
That comes after the Archdiocese was imformed by police that an adult male made allegations he was sexually abused in the 1980s.
Father Ronald Domhoff was the pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish on Johnsontown Road.
Police notified the Archdiocese that a man had just recently come forward, saying hed been abused by three people during the 1980s.
One of the people he is accusing of abuse is Father Domhoff.
He has not been charged in this case.
When an accusation of sexual abuse involving clergy is received , a leave of absence is standard procedure.
The Archiodese is working with authorities and is conducting an internal investigation.
During the leave, Domhoff is prohibited from public ministry.
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The Archdiocese of Louisville released this statement on the matter:
Last weekend, at the Saturday and Sunday Masses on September 27-28, the parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Parish (5431 Johnsontown Road) were informed that their pastor, Father Ronald Domhoff, has been placed on an administrative leave of absence. Parishioners also were informed in a letter from Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz.
Recently, the Archdiocese received information from the police that an adult male reported that as a minor during in the 1980s, he had been sexually abused by three persons, and Fr. Domhoff was named on that list. The Archdiocese has no other information about this report.
When an accusation of sexual abuse involving clergy or Church employees is received, the Archdiocese takes the following actions in accordance with its sexual abuse policies:
A leave of absence for the person who has been accused.
Outreach, if possible, to the person making the accusation.
A report to civil authorities if not already contacted.
An internal investigation of the accusation.
During this leave, Father Domhoff will be prohibited from public ministry pending the outcome of the investigation. Father Thomas A. Smith, pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, will serve as temporary administrator of St. Peter the Apostle Parish.
The Archdiocese is committed to reaching out to victims of sexual abuse by Church employees. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse or has information about sexual abuse should contact the police. Martine Siegel, Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Archdiocese, also stands ready to assist victims and can be reached at (502) 636-1044 or by email at victimassistance@archlou.org
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