Indy Archbishop Says List Of Accused Priests To Be Released

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson says "These are very tough times, and we have some very rough waters to navigate."

Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is planning to release a list of priests who have been the subject of substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse.

Wednesday's letter by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson followed the Indianapolis Archdiocese's announcement that it has suspended one priest following abuse allegations.

Thompson says a review board will help compile a list for public release of all priests, living and dead, “with a substantiated claim of sexual abuse against a child or minor.”

“As I mentioned in a previous statement, coinciding with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston‑Houston, USCCB president, and numerous other bishops, there is much work to be done in the coming weeks to set things right, by the grace of God, once and for all. Such work cannot be left to just the bishops. Lay persons, especially those with particular skills, must be intricately involved in the process. There is so much to do in so little time to get it done, but it must be done right. There can be no further cover‑up. All, especially bishops, must be held accountable,” Thompson wrote in the public letter.

The archdiocese is also urging anyone abused by clergy to report that abuse to civil authorities and the archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator.

Father John Maung, 79, allegedly abused someone as a child decades ago, an individual recently reported to the archdiocese. The archdiocese says the allegation was immediately reported to civil authorities and the Archdiocesan Review Board.

Muang, who is denying the claims, has served as the priest at churches in Indianapolis, Connersville, and Shelbyville.