Bishop's statement from Sept. 16, 2018

In recent weeks, a number of Catholic dioceses have announced the intention to publish a list of credible and substantiated allegations of sexual abuse against minors by priests in their dioceses. My offices have been preparing the same. No priest who is currently in active ministry in this diocese has had a credible and substantiated allegation of the abuse of a minor brought against him. It remains our policy to  report accusations or allegations of abuse against minors to law enforcement before, or at the same time as, reporting these to the diocese.
 
Names of priest offenders from this diocese have appeared over time in newspapers and online. It is our responsibility that our list be complete and does not name any cleric against whom there is not a substantiated claim. We are preparing to name both diocesan and religious order priests who were assigned here, provided allegations were credible and substantiated.
 
In February 1997, the Indianapolis Star printed several articles naming priests who served in our diocese that abused minors. This preceded by five years the Boston Globe reports depicted in the movie “Spotlight.” In December 2003, Bishop Higi joined the other Catholic bishops in Indiana by publishing data about the number of priests against whom allegations had been made, the number of victims, and what costs the diocese had sustained in legal proceedings and victims’ assistance. About five years ago, the diocese announced the removal of a priest for his actions that were alleged and found to have basis decades ago. That is our practice.
 
While mentioning these things now does not shrink the gravity of past misdeeds, it is important for you to know that information on these matters has been in the public eye for a long time, although maybe not in a single authoritative list such as what we are trying to prepare.
 
My hope in publishing this list is that it will provide some additional healing for those who have suffered from sexual abuse by clergy, and that it will allow other victims the strength to come forward. As I encounter victims of sexual abuse, they are not mere “reports” to me, and never will be.  

To make a report of an allegation of recent abuse of a minor, or even to report a previously unreported allegation of abuse from years ago, please use these contact numbers:

• Child Protective Services, 800-800-5556
• The Office of the Vicar General, 765-269-4601
• The Office of Victim Assistance Ministry, 765-464-4988
• The Conduct in Ministry Officer, 765-463-2242