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Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend September 23, 2018 TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Volume 92 No. 30 50¢ TODAYSCATHOLIC.org Complimentary interment of ashes Service slated at Catholic Cemetery Diocese publishes names of credibly Page 3 accused priests and deacons March for Life Bishop Dwenger High School receives honor Page 7 DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE SOUTH BEND Diocese welcomes Esther Terry Director of Hispanic Ministry, special projects FORT WAYNE — The Diocese diocese’s commitment to protect In the determination of cred- CSC; Thomas Lombardi; Robert Page 8 of Fort Wayne-South Bend pub- children and young people, say- ibility for the purpose of the list, Mahoney; Eldon Miller; Edward lished on Tuesday, Sept, 18, the ing, “We must be vigilant in our Bishop Rhoades followed the rec- O. Paquette; Cornelius Ryan, CSC; names of the priests and deacons efforts to protect our youth. With ommendations of the Diocesan James Seculoff; Richard Stieglitz; who have been credibly accused the Lord’s guidance and love, we Review Board. Bishop Rhoades Richard Thompson; and James of sexual abuse of a minor. will do so.” expressed gratitude for their Trepanier, CSC. White Mass During a news conference on The list of those credibly expertise and counsel. A full list For the purposes of this list, Aug. 17, in which he made the accused was developed with the of Diocesan Review Board mem- a “credible accusation” against Liturgies slated for announcement to release the assistance of the Diocesan bers and their biographies can be a priest or deacon of the Diocese names, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades Review Board, which was estab- found on the diocesan website. of Fort Wayne-South Bend is an Fort Wayne, Granger stated the importance for victims lished to assist the bishop in The list of the names of priests accusation that, after a thorough Page 9 to see the names of their abusers complying with the requirements and deacons who have served investigation and review of avail- made public “for all to see. For of The Charter for the Protection in the Diocese of Fort Wayne- able information, appears more everyone to know the pain caused of Children and Young People South Bend and have been cred- likely true than not in the judge- by these priests.” Bishop Rhoades and The Essential Norms. The ibly accused of at least one act ment of the Diocesan Review added, “It is my hope that by Diocesan Review Board is com- of sexual abuse of a minor con- Board, and is accepted as credible Weekly Today’s releasing these names, the inno- prised of mostly lay people, and sists of: James Blume; Michael by the bishop. cent victims of these horrific and its members assess all allegations Buescher; Brian Carsten; William If the accused is or was a Catholic schedule heartbreaking crimes can finally of sexual abuse of minors by Ehrman; William Gieranowski; member of a religious congrega- resumes begin the process of healing.” priests and deacons presented in John Gillig; Gabriel Hernandez; Bishop Rhoades reiterated the this diocese. Edward Krason; Paul LeBrun, LIST, page 3 Sisters’ presence in Huntington parish ends after 150 years BY CINDY KLEPPER Members of the School Sisters of Notre Dame were honored at a Mass on Sunday, Sept. 16, celebrating or a century and a half, the School Sisters of Notre the religious order’s 150 years of Dame have served SS. Peter service to SS. Peter and Paul Parish F in Huntington. In the front row, from and Paul Parish in Huntington. On Sunday, Sept. 16, the par- left are Sister Miriam Therese Gill, ish celebrated that legacy with Sister Miriam Thomas Kessens, Sister a Mass and a reception in the Colleen Bauer and Sister Margaret sisters’ honor. Ann Murawski; and in the back row, The sisters’ presence in Sister Loretta Bauer, associate Patricia Huntington will come to an end Tocco, Sister Phylis Marie Grzeczka and in November with the retire- Sister Jan Gregorcich. ments of Sister Miriam Therese Gill and Sister Loretta Bauer. “Our physical presence here at SS. Peter and Paul may be end- ing soon,” Sister Phyllis Marie Grzeczka told the parishioners who crowded into Father Rieder Cindy Klepper SSND, page 16 2 TODAY’ S C ATHOLIC September 23, 2018 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Bishop Rhoades exonerated of allegation Official newspaper of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend FORT WAYNE — As a sobering wave of P.O. Box 11169 abuse allegations within the Roman Catholic Fort Wayne, IN 46856 Church in the U.S. continues to build, its full weight fell on the Diocese of Fort Wayne- PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades South Bend this month. Recently, an allegation was filed in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, against Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades related to his time Editorial Department as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in PUBLICATIONS MANAGER: Jodi Marlin Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The concern was PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan reported to the Diocese of Harrisburg by the BRAND SPECIALIST: Molly Gettinger cousin of a young man who died in 1996. NEWS SPECIALIST: Mark Weber The concern claimed that the relationship between Bishop Rhoades and the young man seemed “odd.” The Diocese of Harrisburg Business Department then reported it to the district attorney. BUSINESS MANAGER: Stephanie A. Patka Numerous media outlets published and BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Geoff Frank broadcast news of the allegation, which [email protected] was obtained from an unknown source and against the wishes of Dauphin County Advertising Sales District Attorney Francis Chardo. The Office of the District Attorney of Jackie Parker Dauphin County promptly, and thoroughly, [email protected] investigated the allegation. On Thursday, Sept. 13, the results of the investigation were Website: www.todayscatholic.org released. 260-456-2824 Official statement of the Published weekly except every Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend other week from the first Sunday in The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend June through the second Sunday of appreciates the swift and thorough investi- September by the Diocese of Fort gation into the unsubstantiated allegation Wayne-South Bend, 915 S. Clinton St., against Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades. As antici- P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. pated, the investigation exonerated Bishop Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, IN, and additional mailing office. Rhoades. The district attorney found the alle- gation was without merit and stated, “After POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: a full investigation, the Dauphin County Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort District Attorney has determined that there Wayne, IN 46856-1169 is no basis to conclude that Bishop Kevin C. or email: [email protected] Rhoades ever engaged in a criminal or other- wise improper relationship.” The relationship MAIN OFFICE: 915 S. Clinton St., Fort in question was “in the context of pastoral Wayne, IN 46802. Telephone 260-456- care and arose out of the recognized tradition 2824. Fax: 260-744-1473. of prison ministry.” BUREAU OFFICE: 1328 Dragoon Trail, Mishawaka, IN 46544. Telephone 260- While it’s important that allegations be 456-2824. Fax 260-744-1473. brought forward, it’s equally important for due process to take place. The result of this News deadline is 10 days prior to investigation underscores the importance of publication date. Advertising deadline allowing appropriate authorities to determine is nine days before publication date. credibility of accusations before the reputa- tion of any individual is impugned in the Today’s Catholic may be reached at : court of public opinion. Today’s Catholic, The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169, Fort Wayne, IN stands firm in sympathy and support for all File photo 46856-1169; or email: victims of child sexual abuse and encourages Dauphin County District Attorney determined ated in the investigation.” [email protected] victims to report allegations. Bishop Rhoades that there was no basis to conclude that “This has been a case of a public air- expresses his gratitude for the support he has Bishop Rhoades ever engaged in a criminal ing of mere speculation of impropriety with (ISSN 0891-1533) received from parishioners during the past (USPS 403630) or otherwise improper relationship with the no foundation,” a media release from the week. He stated, “I have offered up the pain teenager in question. A media release from Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office of this difficult time for the victim survivors the district attorney’s office at the conclusion states. “In this case, the leaking of what of child sexual abuse.” of the investigation notes that “the report by turned out to be an unfounded report did The same media organizations that were a member his [sic] family was made confi- unnecessary harm. This has done a dis- quick to make public an unsubstantiated dentially and without the expectation that service to actual victims of sexual abuse. It allegation against Bishop Rhoades, prior it would be publicly aired. No witness has has also caused significant and unnecessary to its investigation by the Dauphin County alleged observing any criminal or improper harm to Bishop Rhoades.” District Attorney, have been asked to publi- conduct by Bishop Rhoades with respect to The Dauphin County District Attorney’s cize in a similar manner his exoneration. (the young man referred to as) J.T. Bishop Office now regards this case as closed. Find us on Facebook After a full and timely investigation, the Rhoades and the family of J.T. fully cooper- www.facebook.com/todayscatholicFWSB Cathedral Museum moving to new location Follow us on Twitter FORT WAYNE — Cathedral Museum, the ing was most recently used as a residence and the Diocese of Fort Wayne — South @diocesefwsb repository of Church artifacts owned by the for the Franciscan Brothers Minor; before Bend for providing the Cathedral Museum Diocese of Fort Wayne — South Bend, has that, it housed the offices of Bishop John with a new home,” he said.