INDIANA
News-Sentinel
News-Sentinel staff reports
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The Rev. Cornelius Ryan has been removed as administrator of St. Joseph Catholic Church-Hessen Cassel after the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend was notified that a credible allegation of sexual abuse had been received involving him.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, the diocese said local Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades was notified June 10 by the superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province, which is in South Bend, that a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor had been received against Ryan, a member of the Holy Cross order.
The alleged abuse is reported to have taken place about 20 years ago while Ryan served in Africa, the statement said.
Based on the laws of the Catholic Church, Ryan was removed from ministry June 10, the statement said. St. Joseph-Hessen Cassel parish is at 11337 Old U.S. 27 S. on the city’s far south side.
Rhoades informed St. Joseph parishioners about the situation through a letter read after Masses last Saturday and Sunday, the statement said. The diocese has continued to minister to and offer counseling to parishioners.
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