The University of Notre Dame is facing intense public scrutiny after an independent report accused the institution of failing to act on allegations ofsexual misconductinvolving a former priest who worked on campus for years.
The investigation, conducted by law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, centred on the actions of Rev. Thomas King, who served as a rector at Zahm Hall. The findings describe a coercive 'weighing scheme' allegedly used to target male students during the 1980s and 1990s.
This clergy sexual abuse investigation suggests that warnings regarding Father King were shared with university staff decades ago, yet systemic failure prevented meaningful intervention. The report also scrutinised the administration's handling of clergy sexual misconduct claims involving other priests, concluding that the institution should have responded with far greater urgency. These revelations have sparked widespread criticism and prompted the university to announce new safety measures for survivors.
The 25-page report found that Father King used concerns about students' health to persuade male students to participate in what investigators described as a 'weighing scheme'.
According to thefindings, he would express concern about a student's physical condition and insist that the student accompany him to a locker room for weighing.
'Once in the locker room, he would direct students to undress fully before they stepped onto a scale,' the report stated. It added that 'multiple individuals, some of whom were weighed, were sexually touched or assaulted by Fr. King, both at Notre Dame and after he left.'
Investigators identified at least 15 cases connected to the alleged scheme across Notre Dame and nearby Holy Cross College. Father King left Notre Dame in 1997 and moved to Holy Cross College, which at the time served as a feeder institution to the university. The report said he remained there for roughly a decade and held considerable influence because he played a key role in recommending students for transfer to Notre Dame.
The investigation concluded that the university should have done more in response to allegations surrounding Father King. Witnesses told investigators that complaints about his behaviour had been raised with university employees as far back as the 1990s. However, when the law firm interviewed staff members from two departments believed to have received complaints, none could recall receiving any.
In some cases, the report found that employees who heard concerns about the weighing incidents failed to recognise their sexual implications. Investigators also sought an interview with Father King through his attorney, but the request was declined.
The report noted that complaints concerning Father King continued to emerge even after he had left Notre Dame. Beyond his roles at Notre Dame and Holy Cross College, he also served at parishes near Lakeville, Indiana, and Niles, Michigan. Following complaints connected to those assignments, he entered a senior home for priests within the Order of the Holy Cross, according to the report.
Source: International Business Times UK
