Fr. Duane W. Lukes

Lukes (incorrectly referred to as Lucas) was named in a 4/2007 civil lawsuit as having sexually abused a boy for several years, beginning in 1978 when the boy was age 12. Luke’s accuser told a priest in 1990 about being abused, but nothing was done. He told another priest in OR in 2003; the Portland Archdiocese reported the abuse to the Omaha Archdiocese. The Archdiocese arranged for counseling but failed to tell the alleged victim of his rights until after the statute of limitations had run. A second suit was filed in 1/2008. Included on the Omaha Archdiocese’s list 11/30/2018, which notes reports in 1985, 2004, and 2005 of the sexual abuse of multiple minors 1964-1990s. Its updated list 3/1/2019 notes reports in 2015 and 2019 of abuse. Per the NE Attorney General’s report in 11/2021, there were eight known victims, all boys, ages 7-16. The parents of the 7-year-old abused in the mid-1960s, who had injuries to his genitals as a result, said they told a parish priest at that time and that Bishop Sheehan also knew. Lukes was kept in ministry. He died in 1998.