Fr. Francis E. Luddy

Two brothers filed separate civil suits in 1980s alleging abuse by Luddy, their godfather, as early as 1978. Other brother awarded $1.5M in 1994 trial. Multiple appeals but final ruling for plaintiff in 3/06, who died in 4/12. One suit dropped in 1992; in response, Bishop Adamec put out a press release calling the dropped claims “baseless,” despite knowing Luddy had admitted abusing at least 10 youths. More suits filed. In 5/04 diocese paid $3.71M to settle claims against several priests, including Luddy. Per AG’s 3/1/16 Grand Jury Report, “Luddy molested, groped, masturbated, sodomized and performed oral sex on at least 10 children” ages 10-17. The report harshly criticizes the diocese’s mishandling of the Luddy case, and calls the lack of response to it by law enforcement “concerning.” Admitted he had been abusing children since ordination.