The following is a list of the names of priests and deacons who have served in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and have been credibly accused of at least one act of the sexual abuse of a minor, as determined based upon the affiliation of the priest or deacon with our diocese and when the sexual abuse of a minor is alleged to have occurred.

• The list includes the names of priests and deacons of our diocese (incardinated in our diocese) who have been credibly accused of at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor regardless of when or where the sexual abuse of a minor is alleged to have occurred. 

• The list also includes the names of priests and deacons from other dioceses and priests and deacons from religious congregations who have served in our diocese and have been credibly accused of committing at least one act of sexual abuse of a minor while serving in our diocese, regardless of where the sexual abuse of a minor is alleged to have occurred.

For the purposes of this list, a “credible accusation” against a priest or deacon as determined by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is an accusation that, after an investigation and review of available information, appears more likely true than not in the judgement of the Diocese’s Review Board, and is accepted as credible by the Bishop. 

If the accused is or was a member of a religious congregation, the credibility of an accusation was determined by the accused priest’s religious congregation if the religious congregation, rather than our diocese, conducted the investigation. 

The number of credible accusations received against each priest or deacon is noted. The ordination date for each priest and deacon named on the list is noted. Changes in the clerical status of each priest and deacon named, including dates of the changes, are noted. If the accused is deceased, his date of death is noted.

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend stands firm in its commitment to investigate any allegation of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy and to listen to and support anyone who has been abused.  Please contact Mary Glowaski, Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, [email protected], 260-399-1458 or Father Mark Gurtner, JCL – Vicar General, 260-399-1422.

This list will be supplemented as appropriate based upon any future determinations of credible allegations.

PRIESTS AND DEACONS OF THE DIOCESE OF FORT WAYNE-SOUTH BEND

James Blume

Date of Ordination:  June 14, 1980

Removed from Public Ministry:  April 1989

Dismissed from Clerical State:  June 23, 2007

Number of Credible Allegations:   5

Places Served: 

July 7, 1980 – St. Anthony de Padua Parish, South Bend, Indiana

July 7, 1982 – Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, Indiana

September 8, 1987 – St. Andrew/St. Hyacinth Parishes, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Current Status:  Incarcerated

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Michael Buescher

Date of Ordination:   June 16, 1979

Removed from Parish Ministry:  November 1989

Loss of Clerical State:  May 14, 1991

Number of Credible Allegations:  7

Places Served: 

July 9, 1979 – St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Fort Wayne, Indiana

August 1, 1983 – Part-time membership on the faculty of Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana; continuing at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Fort Wayne, Indiana

July 9, 1984 – Chaplain, Marian High School, Mishawaka, Indiana, with residency in the Marian High School Rectory

August 8, 1985 – Culver Military Academy, Coordinator of priests who offer Mass and provide spiritual guidance

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