The Jesuits of the West have released the names of 111 members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. This report follows a similar recent disclosure from the Jesuits Central and Southern Province.
Jesuits West Province includes Arizona, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington, and includes the former California Province and the former Oregon Province. The list includes the names of all Jesuits against whom a credible claim of sexual abuse of a minor (under the age of 18) or a vulnerable adult has been made. Also included are the names of Jesuits from other provinces accused of abuse while assigned to Jesuits West or the California or Oregon Provinces; and Jesuits of the former Oregon Province with credible claims already published as part of the Oregon Providence’s bankruptcy.
Religious orders, up until recently, have been slow in releasing the names of credibly accused members. However, the growing number of dioceses who’ve agreed to release the names of those accused has begun to influence religious orders to do likewise. It is about time. Real healing for the Church and victims will only come with transparency and truth.
The former Oregon Province went through bankruptcy to handle sexual abuse claims involving its members. In 2011, the Oregon Province reached a bankruptcy settlement agreement that paid over $166 million to over 500 people molested by Jesuit priests working in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Of the settlement, Safeco Insurance Co. paid $118 million and the Jesuits paid just over $43 million.
Sadly, in the Oregon Province’s bankruptcy, only $6.5 million was set aside for victims who came forward after the bankruptcy was finished. That money is now all but exhausted. This means that for victims of abuse prior to 2011 by Jesuit priests in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, there is really no realistic possibility of monetary compensation.
The former California Province, which included Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, did not go through a bankruptcy. Civil or criminal claims for sexual abuse or assault involving Jesuits working in those states may still be possible, depending on the statutes of limitations and laws in those states.
The link in the first paragraph of this post will take you to the Jesuits of the West list of those accused of sexual abuse. If you or a someone you know was sexually abused or exploited by a Jesuit priest, or within the Jesuit community, and you would like to talk to someone about it, please contact us at 503-616-5007 email us at info@dumaslawgroup.com.
The Jesuits, like other dioceses and religious orders in the Catholic Church, are experiencing a torrent of new abuse claims as a result of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report as well as the numerous criminal investigations across the country being conducted by attorneys general and the FBI.