Fort Wayne-south Bend Diocese Names More Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Minors

By Holly V. Hays
Indianapolis Star
June 14, 2019

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/06/14/catholic-church-sex-abuse-fort-wayne-south-bend-diocese-names-2-accused-priests/1455189001/

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend this week identified two more priests who church officials said were "credibly" accused of sexually abusing a minor.

The update, released June 11, added two names to the list, bringing the total number of accused priests to 22.

Neither served in the Indianapolis area during their time in the ministry, according to information provide by the diocese.

The men added to the list are:

Ralph Luczak

Number of credible allegations: 1 (allegation received in Michigan in 1969)

Deceased

Robert Mahoney

Number of credible allegations: 4

Resigned from ministry: June 15, 1993

Dismissed from clerical state: July 25, 2006

Last fall, the diocese released the names of 20 men accused of sexually abusing minors. Claims are investigated by the Diocesan Review Board.

"For the purposes of this list, a 'credible accusation' against a priest or deacon of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is an accusation that, after a thorough investigation and review of available information, appears more likely true than not in the judgement of the Diocese’s Review Board, and is accepted as credible by the Bishop," the diocese said in a news release.

Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who once served as the bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, announced in August that he would compile and release the list following a sweeping grand jury report out of Pennsylvania that accused more than 300 clergy members of abuse.