Parker Waichman LLP

Claretian Missionaries Never Told of Abuse Allegations Against Priest

Missionaries never told of allegations first surfaced The attorney for the Claretian Missionaries said the Miami Archdiocese never told them when abuse allegations first surfaced against one of their priests in the late 1970s. “We never received any notice, nor were we ever made aware of these allegations,” said Richard Leamy, who represents both the […]

Claretian Missionaries

Missionaries never told of allegations first surfaced The attorney for the Claretian Missionaries said the Miami Archdiocese never told them when abuse allegations first surfaced against one of their priests in the late 1970s.

“We never received any notice, nor were we ever made aware of these allegations,” said Richard Leamy, who represents both the priest and the Claretian Missionaries based in Chicago.

The Rev. Ronald John Luka, 65, is accused of sexually abusing two boys when he was pastor of St. Helen Catholic Church and School in Lauderdale Lakes from 1976 to 1978. The now 37-year-old men, Stephen Calvert and Scott Melanson, filed the suit at Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Monday. The lawsuit claims Luka molested the then-12- and 13-year-old boys at his home in Fort Lauderdale, on overnight trips and during a cross-country trips.

A complaint was made in 1978 to St. Helen’s head priest, the Rev. Patrick Murnane, who “promised to take appropriate action,” documents said. When the boys returned to school in the fall, Luka was gone, the lawsuit claims.

The archdiocese should have reported any complaints to the group

The Claretian Missionaries say Murnane or the archdiocese should have reported any complaints to the group. Murnane, who is now pastor of Nativity Church and Catholic School in Hollywood, and Mary Ross Agosta, spokeswoman for the Miami Archdiocese, could not be reached for comment.

Attorney Joel Magolnick, who represents the former altar boys, thinks the archdiocese “had an obligation to inform” the Claretians of the previous allegations.

“While we don’t know yet whether there are any additional victims, certainly having the knowledge of the potential danger could have averted additional incidents,” he said.

After leaving St. Helen, Luka, an itinerant preacher, visited a different parish every week for years. Luka preached at a parish in Central Florida in 1999.

It was during that year that the Claretian Missionaries “first received allegations of misconduct,” Leamy said. He would not detail what the complaints were or who made them but said they had taken place in New York state around 1979.

The Claretians sent Luka to a treatment center for troubled priests, Leamy said. The Claretians “determined he should be permanently removed from public ministry.” Luka resides at a long-term treatment center in Missouri.

Need Legal Help Regarding Claretian Missionaries Handling of Priest Abuse?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Further sex abuse resources:

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
WOW were to start at, a friend told me about this law firm call PARKER WALCHMAN LLP at PORT Washington New York. And I started to talk with MICHELE JOSAMA and a Lawsuit and they told me they would have to look into it so I waited ,but have to say they were very Professional and very understanding about everything I was talking about and have to say, WOW they WON MY CASE and doing a very Excellent and a very Profession job, and MICHELE JOSAMA always let me know when there were changes in the court or if I needed to sign anything she would send someone to my home so that I could do so ,so my case would go forward in the courts she was always professional with me. There is not one thing that I could say bad about there Professionalism and the quality of there work I was very happy that I got PARKER WAICHMAN LLP to represent me in court for my case of my loved one! P.S. I do RECOMMEND THEM HIGLY and I would Definitely use them again if I had too! And so ahould you if you are LQQKING for a GOD LAW FIRM and that is ( THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP ME GOD! ) R. R.
Reinaldo Rodriguez
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I highly recommend Parker Waichman LLP.Courteous and professional be it the receptionist,Lawyer or investigator especially legal assistant Nicoleta Mereuta.
Evan Marmer
6 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman LLP helped my family with my father's 9/11 VCF Claim. My dad was in downtown Manhattan when 9/11 happened. Because of that he was diagnosed with COPD. Unfortunately, in early 2020 when COVID hit, he passed away. It was determined that his COPD from 9/11 was a contributing factor in his death. Working with Parker Waichman during such a difficult time was so helpful. Tina Morace was an absolute godsend in the process. Any questions I had, and there were many, were answered immediately. She always responded with a phone call and an email to follow so that I had everything in writing. I highly recommend their services to anyone who is in need.
Lisa Rooney
a month ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038