The Congregation of Holy Cross has identified clergy members who they say have credible sexual abuse claims against them.
On Wednesday a letter was released by Father William Lies, the provincial superior of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. That list included not only the names of priests, but also of the allegations against them. That list includes three priests from the University of Notre Dame, and several others affiliated with churches in the South Bend area:
Rev. John Fitzgerald, University of Notre Dame
Rev. Paul Lebrun, Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend
Rev. Ralph Luczak, Christ the King Parish in South Bend
Rev. Archibald McDowell, University of Notre Dame
Rev. Louis L. Meyer, Holy Cross Parish in South Bend
Rev. Cornelius Ryan, Little Flower Parish in South Bend and St. Joseph, Hessen Cassel in Ft. Wayne
Rev. Edgar Szmanski, St. Casimir Parish in South Bend, St. Hedwig Parish in South Bend and St. Stanislaus Parish in South Bend
Rev. James Trepanier, Holy Cross Parish in South Bend and St. Pius X Parish in Granger
Rev. David Verhalen, University of Notre Dame
Randall Blum (Seminarian), Christ the King Parish in South Bend
You can read the full press release from the Congregation of Holy Cross here:
In a letter released today, Fr. William Lies, CSC, provincial superior of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, provided a list naming individuals of the U.S. Province who have credible sexual abuse claims against them, dating back to the 1940s. The most recent incident for which an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor has been made was in 1991.
In his letter, Fr. Lies apologizes to victim-survivors and their families, and acknowledges peoples’ frustration, anger and sadness in the face of the problem of the sexual abuse of children within the Catholic Church, and with its mishandling. “I also share your desire for transparency and healing,” stated Fr. Lies. “It is for this reason I am writing today to release the list.”
Fr. Lies also acknowledges the efforts made by Holy Cross and other religious communities and dioceses for the protection of children and young people. Attached to Fr. Lies’ letter were the measures that the U.S. Province has had in place to ensure a culture of safety in all province ministries, including following the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and certification by Praesidium, Inc. Praesidium is an independent organization that ensures compliance with the highest national standards for protecting children, and certifies mandatory safe environment training for all priests, brothers, and men in formation.
In closing, Fr. Lies encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a Holy Cross religious to contact law enforcement, as well as the U.S. Province through its victim assistance coordinator, Fr. Peter Jarret, CSC, at pjarret@holycrossusa.org or (574) 631-1126.
The letter from the Provincial and list of credibly accused are both available via the homepage of the Province website, www.HolyCrossUSA.org, and will continue to be accessible via SafeEnvironment.HolyCrossUSA.org, which also hosts a .pdf of the Province’s Policy on Response to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors, which articulates the Province’s procedural actions, prevention and treatment measures, along with steps to assist victims.
