INDIANA
The Journal Gazette
Rosa Salter Rodriguez | The Journal Gazette
A second priest serving at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Hessen Cassel in Fort Wayne has been removed from ministry after what diocesan officials Wednesday called “a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor” 20 years ago in Africa.
The Rev. Cornelius Ryan was removed as parish administrator June 10, said Sean McBride, diocese spokesman, the same day the diocese’s bishop, the Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, learned of the allegation from the head of Ryan’s order, the U.S. Province of the Congregation of the Holy Cross.
The move was announced to parishioners at Masses on Saturday and Sunday, McBride said.
“Bishop Rhoades and really all of us at the diocese are heartbroken at these events,” McBride said, adding the diocese’s “first concern” is for the “the spiritual comfort and safety of parishioners.”
He said no one from St. Joseph’s or elsewhere has come forward with any allegations about Ryan.
Ryan was appointed St. Joseph’s temporary administrator by Rhoades in December 2011, after the parish’s previous priest, the Rev. Thomas Lombardi, was accused of sexual abuse while serving at St. Louis Catholic Church-Besancon, outside New Haven.
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