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August 23, 2018
Catholic News Service
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, said Aug. 17 that in response to the release of the grand jury report on abuse claims in six Pennsylvania dioceses over a 70-year period, he will collect and release a list of the names of priests in the diocese he currently heads who committed similar offenses.
Bishop Rhoades called the details of the grand jury “equally appalling and heartbreaking.” He expressed sympathy and support to the victims and their families, adding, “The church failed you. For that, I apologize.”
Emphasizing that during his tenure as bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend he has released the name of every priest removed from ministry as a result of a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
He said he has learned, as a result of the grand jury, that it is also important to victims to see the names of their abusers made public “for all to see. For everyone to know the pain caused by these priests.”
“It is my hope,” he said, “that by releasing these names, the innocent victims … can finally begin the process of healing.”