Fr. Frederick J. Lutz

Ordained: 1973
Status: Charged

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau MO

First named publicly by diocese as accused in 10/18. It notes that Lutz allegedly sexually abused a minor in the early 1970s. In 2006 a man told the diocese that Lutz abused him at age 17 in 1972 at St. Mary’s in Cape Girardeau. On leave 1981-87 and 2009. Retired 2011. After a MO A.G. investigation, Lutz was arrested and charged 2/18/20 with multiple counts of child sex abuse, including forcible sodomy, of a 17-year-old boy in 2000, in the rectory of St. Joseph’s in Advance. A Catholic school teacher was reportedly told about the abuse a few days after it allegedly occurred, and Lutz apologized to the boy’s father. The diocese admitted in 2/20 that it knew in 2002 of the allegations. Lutz pled not guilty.

Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.