SNAP Condemns Notre Dame’s Failure to Act on Predatory Priest
SOUTH BEND, Indiana, June 1, 2026 – SNAP Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests strongly condemns the University of Notre Dame’s failure to protect students against a predatory priest despite multiple reports dating back decades.
The allegations came to light after a group of courageous former students at Notre Dame University and Holy Cross College came out publicly against Reverend Thomas King.
“Survivors reported the sexual abuse over two decades, and the university failed to act,” said Angela Walker, Executive Director of SNAP. “Why didn’t the university respond to multiple, credible reports by survivors? And it’s not the first time that Notre Dame has failed to take action against predatory priests.”
Reverend King “sexually touched or assaulted” students during the 1980s and 90s when he served as a dorm rector and also worked at Holy Cross, according to a scathing report released by the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton. Father King also served in parishes in Lakesville, Indian and Niles, Michigan.
This is not the first time that Notre Dame has faced allegations of abuse by predatory priests. During its investigation, the law firm found other instances of abuse, including by the Reverend David Porterfield, who resigned from the university in 1983.
“We are deeply disturbed by these findings and wish to extend our deepest apologies to the victims for what they endured,” the university said in a statement. “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 law firm was hired at Notre Dame’s request. The university has referred the report to state law enforcement officials in Indiana. Investigators also attempted to interview Father King, but the request was declined by his attorney.
Walker said that the report is coming decades too late, and survivors should have been believed initially. Notre Dame and Holy Cross should have enacted safeguards immediately when the abuse came to light to protect students.
“Once again, survivors raising their voices forced the university to act,” said Walker, who said she was contacted by survivors after the report’s release last week. “Failing to act and take these allegations seriously resulted in so many more young people being subjected to abuse. Not only the predatory priests, but also the university administration must be held to account for this horrible sexual abuse.”
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If you are a survivor who needs support, please contact SNAP.
Read the full 25-page report here.
Read news stories here:
Notre Dame Rector Sexually Abused Students Over 17 Years, Report Finds
