Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • Our Team
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Practice
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Fr. Ronald Luka – Diocese of St. Petersburg/Claretian

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Fr. Ronald Luka – Diocese of St. Petersburg/Claretian

January 18, 2021 | By Horowitz Law
Fr. Ronald Luka – Diocese of St. Petersburg/Claretian

Father Ronald J. Luka

Diocese of St. Petersburg/Claretian

Father Ronald J. Luka

Ordained: 1963

Removed: 2002

Assignment History:

  • 1966 - Unknown: SUNY Farmingdale & NY Institute of Technology
  • 1970-1975: Newman Apostolate (Garden City, NY)
  • 1975-1978: St. Helen's Catholic school (Lauderdale Lakes, FL)
  • 1980-1981: Our Lady of Ransom (Niles, IL)
  • 1982: Nativity Catholic Church (Brandon, FL)
  • 1984-1999: Claretian Provincial House (Oak Park, IL)
  • 1999: Wounded Brothers Project (Robertsville, MO)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Ronald J. Luka:

In 2002, Fr. Ronald J. Luka of the Claretian Missionaries was accused of sexually abusing several boys between 1976 and 1978 while attending St. Helen Catholic School in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. The suit accuses Luka of ingratiating himself with the boys' families and then molesting them at his Fort Lauderdale home and then during overnight religious retreats and a summertime cross-country trip in 1978.

According to the suit, the two victims were both 12 and in the sixth grade when Luka invited them separately to his house after school, which is where the initial abuse took place. The suit claims that Luka took one of the boys on an archdiocese-sponsored weekend retreat at a campground. Once there, the priest and the boy shared Luka's pop-up camper, which had two beds. Fr. Luka climbed into the boy's bed for both nights of the retreat and committed numerous acts of sexual battery and abuse.

Simultaneously, the other plaintiff in the suit claimed he was similarly abused at Luka's home during after-school hours. The lawsuit states that there were back-scratching and massages, leading to genital fondling and masturbation. The abuse was reported to the school, and they promised to take appropriate action. Luka was gone the next school year.

According to the lawsuit, the Claretians received their first allegation against Luka in 1999 of abuse occurring in NY state around 1979. After learning of the allegations, the Claretian Missionaries sent the priest to St. Luke's Institute in Maryland, a church-sponsored treatment center for priests. After a 30-day treatment, it was determined that Luka be permanently removed from public ministry. Luka was then sent to live at the Wounded Brothers Project in Robertsville, MO, a halfway house for troubled priests. He's under 24-hour supervision.

Fr. Luka is also listed on the Diocese of Rockville Centre's 2021 List of Clergy Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The list states that the alleged sexual abuse occurred while Luka worked at SUNY Farmingdale in Nassau County, NY, sometime between 1966-1975. The list also says that Luka abused his victim(s) at a rectory in Long Island, a Boy Scout Camp in upstate New York, a farm in upstate New York, and at his private house in upstate NY. The details of the sexual abuse allegations, including the victim's age/gender, are unknown.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of St. Petersburg in Florida. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Florida, contact our office today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Florida and nationwide. We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.



Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • What Kind of Attorney Handles Sexual Abuse Cases?
  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap