Ind. bishop names 18 pervy clerics

The Catholic bishop of a northern Indiana diocese has released the names of 18 priests and deacons who have been “credibly” accused of sexually abusing children.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese said earlier this year it was important for victims to see names made public.

“It is my hope that by releasing these names, the innocent victims of these horrific and heartbreaking crimes can finally begin the process of healing,” he said.

The list of accused priests and deacons released Tuesday includes James Blume, Michael Buescher, Brian Carsten, William Ehrman, William Gieranowski, John Gillig, Gabriel Hernandez, Edward Krason, Paul LeBrun, Thomas Lombardi, Robert Mahoney, Eldon Miller, Edward Paquette, Cornelius Ryan, James Seculoff, Richard Stieglitz, Richard Thompson and James Trepanier.

Eight of the men are now dead, and the other 10 have been removed from the ministry. Two of them are behind bars.

Gillig, who died in 2011, has the most allegations against him (nine). Ehrman, who is also dead, has eight allegations against him, while Paquette has seven.

“For the purposes of this list, a ‘credible accusation’ against a priest or deacon of the Diocese of Fort WayneSouth Bend is an accusation that, after a thorough investigation and review of available information, appears more likely true than not in the judgment of the Diocesan Review Board, and is accepted as credible by the Bishop,” read a statement.

The list may be updated as more information is received.

Rhoades (photo) said earlier this year he would release the list of names in response to a grand jury’s findings that 300 predator priests had abused more than 1,000 children in Pennsylvania.