Verbatim: Investigation continues into allegation against priest

INDIANA
Journal Gazette

Last updated: June 20, 2013

Statement as issued by the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers:

Last week, on Monday June 10, 2013, Fr. Thomas O’Hara, CSC Provisional Superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, received a letter from the legal representative on an adult individual.

The letter claimed Fr. Cornelius Ryan, CSC had sexually abused his client when he was a minor around twenty (20) years ago.

Fr. Ryan, a member of the U.S. Province of Holy Cross, was working as a priest at that time in Africa where the abuse was said to have occurred. Fr. Ryan is seventy six (76) years old and has spent a large portion of his ministry in Africa.

Father O’Hara immediately conducted an investigation of the claim and found it to be credible. As a result he notified Bishop Kevin Rhoades and Father Ryan was removed indefinitely from all public ministry. A more detailed and thorough investigation is underway as Holy Cross, and this claim will be addressed in a pastoral manner consistent with its long standing policies and mission.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.