ABC57 SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- ABC57 News Anchor and Investigative Reporter Brian Conybeare sat down with clergy sex abuse victims, survivors, and families impacted by the actions of Rev. David Porterfield, C.S.C. at the University of Notre Dame.
Their allegations against Porterfield were confirmed in the May 2026 report to the university by Helen Cantwell, the outside attorney hired by Notre Dame to investigate. The families shared their stories and documents proving university officials knew about Porterfield's sex abuse since the early 1980s.
Despite multiple "credible allegations" from the very students the priest was supposed to help guide and protect, Porterfield served as dorm rector, assistant rector, and V.P. of Admissions at Notre Dame. He was also allowed to remain part of the university campus and greater South Bend communities for decades.
You can read the full 2026 Cantwell report online.
You can view Notre Dame's May 2026 response on the university website.
Rev. Porterfield also served as a Chaplain for the South Bend Police and Fire Departments for some 20 years until survivors' families said they got Notre Dame and the Congregation of Holy Cross to force him to resign.
Porterfield died at Holy Cross House on Nov. 1, 2025.
The City of South Bend sent the following statement to ABC57:
“Survivors and their families showed real courage coming forward. The City recognizes the harm done to them and encourages anyone with information about abuse or other crimes to report it to the police.”
Resources for Sex Abuse Survivors:
- South Bend Police Department: (574)-235-9201
- St. Joseph County SVU: (574)-235-7818
- Special Victims Unit | St. Joseph County, IN
- Abuse Survivors Coalition of Michiana - [email protected]
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: 1-877-SNAP-HEALS
- Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
- 24 Hour National Sex Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Holy Cross College Clergy Sex Abuse Report
Holy Cross College just released its long-awaited external investigation into clergy sex abuse allegations against Fr. Thomas King, C.S.C. The report was done by Fort Wayne law firm Barrett McNagy LLP, and proves six former Holy Cross College students "credibly accused" Fr. King of sex abuse or misconduct over the years.
You can view Holy Cross' statement online and read the full October 2026 Holy Cross report below:
