KALAMAZOO (MI)
WBND-TV, ABC-57 [South Bend IN]
September 19, 2025
By Tim Wolak
The Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo posted a statement regarding the recently aired ABC57 special report, Unholy Acts, which discussed sexual abuse accusations against local Catholic priests.
The statement reads in part:
“Childhood sexual abuse is a grave evil and we are committed to doing all that we can to work toward eradicating all forms of child abuse and to provide support and healing to survivors.
The sexual abuse of minors by priests is tragic, appalling, and inexcusable. What was shared in recent public media is something no child should endure. The suffering inflicted on these individuals lasts a lifetime, and that suffering affects us all as the Body of Christ.”
You can read the full statement below:
THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO
DIOCESAN STATEMENT
Childhood sexual abuse is a grave evil and we are committed to doing all that we can to work toward
eradicating all forms of child abuse and to provide support and healing to survivors.
The sexual abuse of minors by priests is tragic, appalling, and inexcusable. What was shared in recent
public media is something no child should endure. The suffering inflicted on these individuals lasts a
lifetime, and that suffering affects us all as the Body of Christ.
Bishop Lohse once again affirms his invitation to meet with any individual who so desires and who has
suffered abuse at the hands of the Church. We remain steadfast in our commitment to discovering the
truth in connection to all allegations. We renew our request that anyone who has additional information
concerning these allegations come forward either to the Michigan Department of the Attorney General
(844-324-3374) or to the Diocese of Kalamazoo’s crisis hotline (800-873-8336).
We continue to strengthen our efforts to protect children and youth and to educate people to recognize
signs of behavior that puts youth at risk. Our newly revised Policy for the Protection of Children and
Youth reinforces our efforts with enhanced screening processes, rules for events and activities involving
children and youth and clear articulation of mandatory reporting procedures. [see diokzoo.org/protect
for more information and resources.]
In regards to the recently aired local news segment, we are aware of disturbing allegations against
Father Carl Peltz* and we take them very seriously. Based on the information we have at our disposal,
however, including the Attorney General’s report and the records of the diocese, we have been unable
so far to substantiate these allegations. New information may change that reality, in which case the
diocese would amend its assessment.
The Diocese of Kalamazoo welcomes any additional information that may shed light on any past or
present cases of child sexual abuse, as well as any indications of actions that would disqualify and
prohibit someone from working with children and youth in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
*Father Carl Peltz served in the Diocese from 1998 until his death in 2015.