CHICAGO, IL -- Dozens of Jesuit priests, accused in decades’ worth of sex abuse allegations against minors were named Monday by the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit order’s governing body. Some of those named served at Jesuit institutions in Ohio at the time of the alleged incidents, including St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland and St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.
- Sex abuse allegations date back several decades
- Complete list here
- Many accused priests are deceased
The list includes the names of priests with one or more established allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, which the Province Review Board said was based on the facts and circumstances of which there was a reasonable certainty that the abuse happened. Many of the accused priests are long deceased; others were previously removed from ministry. However, the Board made it clear the list made no legal judgment about those accused.
In issuing the names, Father Brian Paulson, SJ, the provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus, apologized to victims and their families on behalf of the Church.
“We recognize that our feelings on this day are nothing compared to the depth of suffering endured by those who have been abused, especially by one as trusted as a priest or vowed religious,” he said in a statement on the Province’s website.
Some of the allegations date back as early as the 1940s and 1950s and spanned several cities. Father Paulson further apologized on the Church's behalf for not removing the accused priests sooner.
“For our failures to act, which avoided the demands of justice and failed to protect the people we serve, we are deeply sorrowful. We have learned from these tragic failures,” he said.
The Midwest Province encourages anyone who has been abused by a Jesuit to contact the appropriate civil authorities and also Marjorie O’Dea, Director of the Office of Safe Environment at 773-975-6876 or via mail to: 1010 N Hooker St., Chicago, IL 60642.