UPDATE: New reactions after Notre Dame releases findings of priest sex abuse investigation

"Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend are deeply saddened by the finding in the report released by the University of Notre Dame on May 28, 2026. We invite all the faithful to join us in prayer for the victims and their families. Bishop Rhoades supports the immediate actions that Notre Dame is taking as a result of the findings of the external investigation report.

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend takes all reports of misconduct and abuse seriously and is committed to listening to those who come forward and following the policies and procedures established by the bishop and the Church — including providing pastoral care and assistance navigating the reporting process. When appropriate, allegations involving clergy who belong to a religious community are referred to that community for further investigation and victim support.

The diocese remains committed to listening to those who come forward, responding with compassion, and ensuring allegations are addressed responsibly and thoroughly."

The diocese also addressed Father King's assignment to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lakeville in 1998. Officials say, at the time, the diocese found no reports of misconduct before or after Bishop John D'Arcy appointed.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo released the following statement:

UPDATE TWO: ABC57 has acquired a statement from Holy Cross College, where Father Thomas King also previously worked.

"Holy Cross College is aware of the findings released by the University of Notre Dame regarding its investigation involving Father Thomas King, C.S.C.

As previously communicated, Holy Cross College initiated an independent review regarding Father King’s time at the College and retained Barrett McNagny LLP to conduct that work on behalf of the College’s Board Chair and President.
We are reviewing available information while continuing our own independent process. Because that review remains ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further on investigative matters at this time.

Holy Cross College remains committed to accountability, due process, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every member of our community.

The College’s independent review remains ongoing, and reporting mechanisms remain available to encourage anyone with information related to misconduct involving a current or former member of the Holy Cross College community to come forward.

Individuals may contact Holy Cross confidentially at 574-472-8610 or [email protected], or contact civil authorities.
We continue to hold all individuals affected by misconduct in our prayers and remain committed to ensuring concerns are addressed with seriousness, care, and independence."

UPDATE: In a new statement provided to ABC57, Notre Dame Class of 2006 alum William B. Kurtz applauded the release of this information but emphasized what he sees as a need for increased accountability and further, independent investigation. It reads:

"The release of the report into the allegations of sexual abuse by Father Thomas King is a welcome first step in transparency and reform by the University of Notre Dame. It is also good to see the university finally publicly acknowledging the alleged abuses of Father David Porterfield and the report makes it very clear that there were serious errors in how his case was handled.

However, this should be seen as only the beginning and not the end of a real reckoning with a larger history of sexual abuse by priests at Notre Dame. The report raises as many questions as it gives answers. For example, the report praises the university’s handling of allegations against Fr. James Burtchaell and yet these actions were insufficient to deter the subsequent abuse that victims alleged happened during the 1990s at the hands of Father King. Perhaps if stronger action had been taken in the past against allegations of abuse, the subsequent victims could have been spared their terrible sufferings.

The report also mentions allegations against former rector Fr. Robert Huneke but does not mention similar allegations of sexual abuse by another former rector, Fr. William Presley. Thus the report presents an incomplete picture of the totality of the problem of sexually abusive priests at Notre Dame. Taken together, these five cases show clergy sex abuse was an ongoing problem on campus. In handling these allegations, the university seems to have shown a slowness to act, a lack of transparency and empathy for victims, and a history of insufficient safeguards for students on campus. Notre Dame prides itself on doing things the “right way,” and yet it appears that it was no better than the rest of U.S. Catholic Church in handling allegations of clergy sexual abuse.

A truly independent investigation, not controlled, overseen, or commissioned by the university, is needed to understand fully and transparently the entire story of clergy sex abuse at Notre Dame.
The great courage and bravery of all of the victims who have come forward should be commended and they, not Notre Dame, should be the judges of when justice and reparation has truly been done.”

Kurtz has previously spoken out about sexual abuse he suffered during his sophomore year at Notre Dame.

ORIGINAL STORY: SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Newly released documents detail cases of sexual abuse committed by two priests formerly at Notre Dame.

The university released findings of an external investigation that found instances of sexual abuse and predatory patterns of behavior by Rev. Thomas King during his tenure from 1980-1997. The investigation also identified instances of sexual abuse by Rev. David Porterfield.

The full report can be read below:

Notre Dame officials released the following statement:

"Dear Members of the Notre Dame community,

Last fall, at our request, the University’s Board of Trustees commissioned an external investigation of allegations that Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C., engaged in sexual misconduct and abuse while rector of Zahm Hall, where he served from 1980 to 1997. We write to share the findings of that investigation with you and the next steps the University will take in response, intended to support victims and uphold the sacred values that Notre Dame strives to live by every day. 

Reflecting the seriousness of this matter, the Board retained Helen Cantwell, a partner at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and a former prosecutor in a district attorney’s sex crimes unit, who has deep experience with investigations of this nature. She and her team have spent the past nine months conducting a thorough review of the allegations.

The investigation found that Fr. King committed sexual abuse and engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior both during his tenure as rector of Zahm Hall and while teaching at Holy Cross College. The report also describes other instances of sexual abuse, including those committed by another priest, Rev. David Porterfield, C.S.C. A copy of their full report can be found here.

We are deeply disturbed by these findings and wish to extend our deepest apologies to the victims for what they endured. The conduct described in this report is antithetical to everything Notre Dame stands for and to the dignity and respect owed to every member of this community.

The investigation included over 100 interviews, and we are grateful to those survivors who had the courage to share their painful stories. We also thank those who provided supporting information.

The University is committed to supporting all who have been affected and assisting them in their healing. For that reason, we are announcing the creation of a Counseling Support Program for therapy and mental health services for former students who experienced sexual abuse or misconduct in the circumstances described in the report. A comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions describing the Program, the intake process, covered services, and privacy protections is available here.

We also want to reinforce our commitment to the safety and well-being of the current and future Notre Dame community. The Office of Institutional Equity’s website provides a comprehensive list of the University’s initiatives and resources aimed at sexual misconduct education, prevention, reporting, and response.

While the University has taken important steps over the past 25 years to strengthen our policies and practices, we must be tireless in our efforts to prevent, investigate, and respond to sexual abuse and misconduct. In light of the investigation’s findings, the University is taking the following additional steps with the full endorsement of the Board of Trustees:

• We have established a new policy governing the oversight and tracking of reports of sex-based misconduct or violence against students by any individuals who are in positions of trust at Notre Dame. The policy provides for accountability to the Board of Trustees and University leadership on the management of such reports. This new policy will advance clear internal communication and appropriate documentation of any misconduct institution-wide.

•  As Notre Dame's founding order, the Congregation of Holy Cross is critical to the University's history and future, as are the many faithful and generous Holy Cross priests and brothers who have served and continue to serve the University. We are jointly committed to preventing the misconduct described in the report. Toward that end, the University and the Congregation of Holy Cross have formalized a new process for promptly sharing information about reports, received by either the University or Congregation, of misconduct by priests and religious of the Congregation who are or were employed at the University and the resolution of such reports. When a report concerns clergy of another religious organization, such as a diocese, religious order, or other religious group, the University will share appropriate information about the report with that other organization. These steps are in addition to the University’s commitment to notifying relevant law enforcement agencies of reported misconduct in accordance with the law.

• The University will expand the scope and frequency of educational programming delivered to the community annually on sex-based misconduct and violence prevention, reporting, and response, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

• University leadership will provide an annual report to the Board of Trustees on the handling of any complaints the University received of sex-based misconduct or violence by a member of the Notre Dame community against another member of this community, and on its educational programming associated with sex-based misconduct and violence prevention, reporting, and response.
  As a community, we must confront our deep sorrow and pain and redouble our efforts to become the Notre Dame we seek to be. We also acknowledge that our work on these efforts must be ongoing and evolving.
  
  We know that hearing about these cases may be especially disturbing to members of this community who themselves may have been impacted by sexual misconduct. If you are a current student in need of support, please contact the University Counseling Center (UCC) at 574-631-7336 or you can utilize TimelyCare if you are out of state. If you are a faculty or staff member, please contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1-888-293-3740. You can also find a comprehensive list of resources, including confidential advocates and reporting options, at https://equity.nd.edu/resources/.
  
  We want to assure you of Notre Dame’s unwavering commitment to the dignity and flourishing of every person in our campus community. In the coming weeks, Campus Ministry and the Office of the President will host opportunities for prayer and communal reflection, seeking healing for survivors and the grace to move forward together. We ask for your continued prayers for those who have suffered, for their families, and for our University, that we may always be a place of light and truth.
  
  
  In Notre Dame,
  
  Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.
  
  President, University of Notre Dame"
   
  John Veihmeyer
  Chair, University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees

ABC57 will provide continued coverage on this breaking story.