Kentucky priest returns to ministry after unsubstantiated abuse claim

Father Ronald Domhoff, a priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, has returned to ministry after being cleared of sexual abuse allegations.

The priest was pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Church. Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville placed him on administrative leave Sept. 25, after police informed him of the allegation. The accuser said the abuse took place in the 1980s.

The Louisville Metro Police Department ended its investigation of the priest and the claim against him could not be substantiated, WAVE 3 News reports.

“The Archdiocese said a private investigator with expertise in crimes against children reviewed the information gathered, interviewed Domhoff and found no evidence to conclude that any abuse had occurred,” Charles Gazaway wrote for WAVE 3 News.

The archdiocese said it reached out to the priest’s accuser but did not receive a report. The archdiocese’s sexual abuse review board also reviewed the allegation and could not substantiate the claim. Fr. Domhoff resumed his duties as pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Dec. 17.