INDIANAPOLIS -- A priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been suspended for a decades-old allegation of sexual misconduct.
The report of sexual misconduct against Fr. Patrick Doyle from "several decades ago" was received by the Archdiocese's Victim Assistance Coordinator on Tuesday, according to a release sent out by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Fr. Doyle is the second Indianapolis priest to be suspended since Indianapolis Catholic Archbishop Charles Thompson issued a letter late last month saying he was preparing a list of clergy, living and dead, with a substantiated claim of sexual abuse against a minor or child.
In his letter to the members of the Indianapolis Archdiocese, Archbishop Thompson said there can be no further cover-up and everyone, including bishops, must be held accountable.
Last week, the Archdiocese suspended Fr. John Maung after receiving a report that he abused a child "several decades ago." Fr. Maung has denied the claim against him.
Statement on Fr. Patrick Doyle suspension
Fr. Patrick Doyle, a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, has been suspended after a report of sexual misconduct several decades ago was received by the archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator on September 4, 2018. The Archdiocese immediately made a report to civil authorities and has notified the Archdiocesan Review Board of the allegation.
Fr. Doyle has had numerous ministry assignments. The complete list of his assignments are as follows: 1975, St. Mary-St. Michael, Madison, and part-time instructor, Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School; 1979, director, Christian Formation Program, Bishop Chatard High School, and part-time instructor; 1987, administrator, Holy Cross, Indianapolis, and continuing as full-time instructor, Bishop Chatard High School, Indianapolis; 1989, administrator, St. Patrick and Holy Rosary, Indianapolis, while continuing as administrator, Holy Cross, Indianapolis; 1993, priest moderator and sacramental minister, Holy Rosary and St. Patrick, Indianapolis, while continuing as administrator, Holy Cross, Indianapolis; 1993, dean, Indianapolis East Deanery; 1994, sabbatical 1995, pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis; 1996, dean, Indianapolis North Deanery, while continuing as pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis; 1999, reappointed dean, Indianapolis North Deanery, while continuing as pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis; 2000, priest moderator, St. Andrew the Apostle, Indianapolis, while continuing as pastor, St. Joan of Arc and dean, Indianapolis North Deanery; 2001, reappointed pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis, while continuing as dean, Indianapolis North Deanery and priest moderator, St. Andrew the Apostle, Indianapolis; 2005, pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Indianapolis; 2010, priest moderator, St. Maurice, Napoleon, while continuing as pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Indianapolis; 2011, reappointed pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Indianapolis, while continuing as priest moderator, St. Maurice, Napoleon.
Fr. Doyle is prohibited from all public ministry while an investigation is pending.
If you are a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on behalf of the Church, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim of such misconduct, please contact civil authorities and the Archdiocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator Carla Hill.
Let us hold all victims of sexual abuse and misconduct and their families in prayer.