CHARLOTTE — Five Jesuit priests who once served in the Diocese of Charlotte have been included on a list of clergy accused of child sexual abuse.
Louis A. Bonacci, Frances C. Bourbon, H. Cornell Bradley, C. Jeffries Burton and Robert B. Cullen are all named on the list released Dec. 17 by the Maryland Province of Jesuits, which oversees the Jesuits who serve in North Carolina and eight other states.
All five were assigned to the Charlotte diocese by the Maryland Province. Only one of the abuse allegations dates from ministry in the Charlotte diocese.
The list released by the Maryland Province includes 19 Jesuits from the province and 10 from other provinces who had served or studied in one of its schools or apostolates who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. “An allegation is deemed ‘credible’ if there is a preponderance of evidence that the allegation is more likely true than not,” as judged by an independent review board, the province explained in the statement posted on its website, www.mdsj.org.
Three of the priests are dead and the other two were removed from ministry and eventually left the Jesuits, the province reported.
BurtonThe one incident that occurred in the Charlotte diocese involved Burton, dating from when he was co-director of youth ministry for the diocese at the Youth Ministry Center in Flat Rock.
In 1994, the Maryland Province received a report against Burton of a “single allegation of unwanted touching over clothing” involving an adolescent at Flat Rock in 1982.
According to the province’s policy at the time, Burton had “a brief period of therapy” and the allegation was reported to Charlotte diocese officials. By that time, Burton no longer served in North Carolina.
The Charlotte diocese offered counseling to the victim.
After the U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002, the Maryland Province aligned its policy to the new child abuse prevention and reporting standards. In 2007, the allegation came to light during a review of Burton’s file.
When questioned, Burton acknowledged that the misconduct occurred, said Kate Pipkin, the province’s spokeswoman at the time. He was removed from ministry in 2007 by the order and underwent additional counseling. The province also publicly reported the allegation for the first time.
Besides his time at the Youth Ministry Center from 1978 to 1982, Burton also served at Spring Creek Elementary and High Schools in Hot Springs (1969-1971), St. Teresa’s Church in Revere (1971-1972) and Hot Springs Boys Home (1972-1978). He died in 2011.
Bonacci
Bourbon
Bradley
Cullen
Bonacci served at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem from 1982 to 1988. The province’s statement reports “multiple accusations of unwanted touching under and over clothes” from the 1970s to 1980s when he served in Columbia, Md. He was removed from ministry in 2011 and in 2014 left the Jesuits.
Bourbon served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point from 1981 to 1982 and at St. Barnabas Church in Arden from 1982 to 1984. The single abuse allegation against him, an “unwanted kiss,” dated from 1985 when he served at Nativity Parish in Buckingham, Va., according to the province’s report. He died in 2007.
Bradley served at St. Therese Church in Mooresville from 1988 to 1989 and again in 1998, as well as at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone from 1989 to 1993. He had “multiple allegations of sexual abuse” against him while serving in Ocean City, Md., and Washington, D.C., in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the province’s report. He was removed from ministry in 2006 and left the Jesuits a year later.
Cullen served from 1990 to 1991 at the Jesuit House of Prayer in Hot Springs. “Multiple allegations of sexual abuse” were made against him from when he served in Maryland in the 1960s to 1980s, the province reported. He died in 2005.
“We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused to victims and their families,” said an accompanying Dec. 17 statement from Jesuit Father Robert M. Hussey, provincial for the Maryland Province Jesuits, published on the province’s website, www.MDSJ.org. “We also apologize for participating in the harm that abuse has done to our Church, a Church that we love and that preaches God’s care for all, especially the most vulnerable among us. The People of God have suffered, and they rightly demand transparency and accountability. We hope that this disclosure of names will contribute to reconciliation and healing.”
In a "Frequently Asked Questions" document issued with the report, the province answers the question as to why some of the priests on the list were allowed to continue in ministry even after an allegation of abuse was made and investigated: "In many cases, the accusation was received many years after the abuse took place, so a Jesuit may have continued in ministry because we were not aware of the abuse at that time. Since 2002 when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was instituted, clear and consistent procedures have been developed for removing from ministry priests and religious with a credible allegation of abuse of a minor. Prior to that time, priests were sometimes allowed to continue in ministry after an accusation. For example, it was often recommended that someone who had abused a minor could be safely returned to ministry after receiving treatment. We know better now. Our awareness of the nature and effect of abuse of minors has changed dramatically over the years. We are diligent in investigating all accusations of abuse, and we do not allow anyone with a credible accusation to engage in public ministry. We recognize now our failures of the past in this regard, and we are deeply sorry."
In the statement, Father Hussey encouraged anyone who suspects abuse by any clergy or employee of the province to contact local civil authorities or the provincial’s office of the Maryland Province. (Their Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached at 443-370-6357, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or through writing to Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, 8600 LaSalle Road, Suite 620, Towson, MD 21286.)
Any person who suspects, or has knowledge of, an incident of possible sexual misconduct by any Church personnel of the Diocese of Charlotte is urged to immediately report the incident to civil authorities or by calling the Chancery at 704-370-6299.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
For more information
Read the full list and statement from the Maryland Province of the Jesuits.
At www.charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safe-environment: Find out more about the Charlotte diocese’s child protection policies, sign up for “Protecting God’s Children” training, contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator, or report a claim of abuse.
Jesuits' Maryland province releases lists of clergy with credible claims
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Jesuits' Maryland province releases lists of clergy with credible claims
TOWSON, Md. — The Maryland province of the Society of Jesus Dec. 17 released the names of Jesuits who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. They include Jesuits from the province and other Jesuits who have served the province.
Most of the cases "date back decades, with the last known incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a Jesuit of the Maryland province happening in 2002," Jesuit Father Robert M. Hussey, provincial, said in a letter accompanying the release of names.
The province, based in the Baltimore suburb of Towson, released four lists and a total of 29 names. Eight of the Jesuits named are deceased.
"We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused to victims and their families," Father Hussey said.
"We also apologize for participating in the harm that abuse has done to our church, a church that we love and that preaches God's care for all, especially the most vulnerable among us," he said. "The people of God have suffered, and they rightly demand transparency and accountability. We hope that this disclosure of names will contribute to reconciliation and healing."
Father Hussey said, "We view the disclosure today of our shameful history as part of our commitment now to preventing abuse," he said, adding that, the province has instituted "numerous reforms" in the last 15 years for responding to claims of abuse "and striving to insure the safety of minors."
The province released names of credibly accused Jesuits in four groupings depending on the current status of the Jesuit.
"One of the groups refers to allegations that could not be fully investigated to determine credibility, but we are releasing the names because there is a reasonable possibility the alleged abuse occurred. one of four categories."
The groupings and the number of Jesuits named in each category are:- Five with a credible or established offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) who are current Jesuits of the Maryland province or are current Jesuits from another province whose offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2SRmjaU.
- Eight with a credible or established offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) who are deceased or are former Maryland province Jesuits or are deceased or former Jesuits from another province whose offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2EqwpeV.
- Six with an allegation of an offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) that could not be fully investigated to determine credibility, but for which there is a reasonable possibility, or semblance of truth, the alleged offense occurred. These are deceased or former Jesuits of the Maryland province or are deceased or former Jesuits from another province whose alleged offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2Ck4trX.
- Five from other provinces who served in the Maryland province at one time. The province is currently aware that these Jesuits have been publicly named by other provinces or by (arch)dioceses for an allegation of abuse against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) that took place outside the Maryland Province. These allegations were not reported to or investigated by the Maryland province. This list includes another five men from the Jesuits' U.S. West province who studied at some point in the Maryland Province: https://bit.ly/2R3onze.
Father Hussey said the Maryland province has "a strict zero-tolerance policy" regarding sexual abuse and reports to civil authorities any accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor.
Ethics in ministry policies have been in place for Jesuits since 2003, and an independent review board evaluates accusations and the province's response to them, the provincial said.
Since 2006, Praesidium Inc., an independent agency, has accredited the province's compliance with standards for safeguarding of minors.
The province will have an external audit of its files "to ensure that our previous reviews were both accurate and complete," Father Hussey. The move is "as an additional step toward transparency and accountability."
The Maryland province's release of names follows by a week the same action by the leaders of two other U.S. provinces of the Society of Jesus.
Jesuit Father Scott Santarosa, provincial of the order's West province based in Portland, Oregon, and Jesuit Father Ronald Mercier, provincial of the Central and Southern province based in St. Louis, released separate lists Dec. 7 of priests and religious brothers who were alleged to have abused minors.
They included the names of more than 150 clergy with credible sexual abuse claims against them dating to the 1950s.
In Washington, the presidents of both Georgetown Preparatory School and Gonzaga College High School released messages to their school communities Dec. 17 addressing the release of the names.
Jesuit Father James Van Dyke, Georgetown Preparatory School's president, said: "There is nothing that saddens and disturbs me so much as this news and the thought of the lives of young people and their families disrupted and, in some cases, destroyed by the callous actions of abusers, particularly those who have used positions of trust such as ministry and education as a cloak for misdeeds."
"I cannot express strongly enough on behalf of this institution and of the Society of Jesus my deepest apology and contrition to those whom we failed," Father Van Dyke wrote. "I am grateful to those who came forward; that is an extraordinarily difficult task, I know, on so many levels -- moral, spiritual, and psychological."
He added, "Your painful honesty about what you experienced has made the rest of us aware of a problem -- a deeply-rooted problem that afflicts all human institutions -- that we all must acknowledge and face. I pray daily for the healing of the pain that you and your loved ones have experienced."
Jesuit Father Stephen Planning, president of Gonzaga College High School, announced that the school would rescind any honors or recognitions that the accused priests may have received, if that had not already been done.
"The clergy abuse crisis has been a deeply damaging and demoralizing experience for the people of God as well as for those Jesuits who have lived their vocations faithfully. However, no one has been more profoundly hurt than the victims of abuse themselves. They trusted in these men, only to have that trust shattered," wrote Father Planning in his message.
Acknowledging "that words are completely inadequate," he extended his "most sincere and heart-felt apology" to anyone "who has been harmed physically, sexually, emotionally or spiritually by any member of the Society of Jesus."
"No person should ever have to experience abuse," he said. "It is inexcusable."
In his statement, Father Hussey said: "In this season of Advent when we hear the promise of God's coming among us. We pray for all victims of abuse and for our church, and we strive now to participate in the future God is bringing into being."
— Catholic News Service. Contributing to this story was Kelly Sankowski, a reporter at the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. Two Jesuit provinces release names of priests with credible abuse claims
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Two Jesuit provinces release names of priests with credible abuse claims
TOWSON, Md. —The Maryland province of the Society of Jesus Dec. 17 released the names of Jesuits who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. They include Jesuits from the province and other Jesuits who have served the province.
Most of the cases "date back decades, with the last known incident of sexual abuse of a minor by a Jesuit of the Maryland province happening in 2002," Jesuit Father Robert M. Hussey, provincial, said in a letter accompanying the release of names.
The province, based in the Baltimore suburb of Towson, released four lists and a total of 29 names. Eight of the Jesuits named are deceased.
"We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused to victims and their families," Father Hussey said.
"We also apologize for participating in the harm that abuse has done to our church, a church that we love and that preaches God’s care for all, especially the most vulnerable among us," he said. "The people of God have suffered, and they rightly demand transparency and accountability. We hope that this disclosure of names will contribute to reconciliation and healing."
Father Hussey said, "We view the disclosure today of our shameful history as part of our commitment now to preventing abuse," he said, adding that, the province has instituted "numerous reforms" in the last 15 years for responding to claims of abuse "and striving to insure the safety of minors."
The province released names of credibly accused Jesuits in four groupings depending on the current status of the Jesuit.
"One of the groups refers to allegations that could not be fully investigated to determine credibility, but we are releasing the names because there is a reasonable possibility the alleged abuse occurred. one of four categories."
The groupings and the number of Jesuits named in each category are as follows:
— Five with a credible or established offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) who are current Jesuits of the Maryland province or are current Jesuits from another province whose offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2SRmjaU.
— Eight with a credible or established offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) who are deceased or are former Maryland province Jesuits or are deceased or former Jesuits from another province whose offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2EqwpeV.
—Six with an allegation of an offense against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) that could not be fully investigated to determine credibility, but for which there is a reasonable possibility, or semblance of truth, the alleged offense occurred. These are deceased or former Jesuits of the Maryland province or are deceased or former Jesuits from another province whose alleged offense took place in the Maryland province: https://bit.ly/2Ck4trX.
— Five from other provinces who served in the Maryland province at one time. The province is currently aware that these Jesuits have been publicly named by other provinces or by (arch)dioceses for an allegation of abuse against a minor (anyone under the age of 18) that took place outside the Maryland Province. These allegations were not reported to or investigated by the Maryland province. This list includes another five men from the Jesuits' U.S. West province who studied at some point in the Maryland Province: https://bit.ly/2R3onze.
Father Hussey said the Maryland province has "a strict zero-tolerance policy" regarding sexual abuse and reports to civil authorities any accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor.
Ethics in ministry policies have been in place for Jesuits since 2003, and an independent review board evaluates accusations and the province's response to them, the provincial said.
Since 2006, Praesidium Inc., an independent agency, has accredited the province's compliance with standards for safeguarding of minors.
The province will have an external audit of its files "to ensure that our previous reviews were both accurate and complete," Father Hussey. The move is "as an additional step toward transparency and accountability."
The Maryland province's release of names follows by a week the same action by the leaders of two other U.S. provinces of the Society of Jesus.
Jesuit Father Scott Santarosa, provincial of the order's West province based in Portland, Oregon, and Jesuit Father Ronald Mercier, provincial of the Central and Southern province based in St. Louis, released separate lists Dec. 7 of priests and religious brothers who were alleged to have abused minors.
They included the names of more than 150 clergy with credible sexual abuse claims against them dating to the 1950s.
In Washington, the presidents of both Georgetown Preparatory School and Gonzaga College High School released messages to their school communities Dec. 17 addressing the release of the names.
Jesuit Father James Van Dyke, Georgetown Preparatory School’s president, said: "There is nothing that saddens and disturbs me so much as this news and the thought of the lives of young people and their families disrupted and, in some cases, destroyed by the callous actions of abusers, particularly those who have used positions of trust such as ministry and education as a cloak for misdeeds."
"I cannot express strongly enough on behalf of this institution and of the Society of Jesus my deepest apology and contrition to those whom we failed," Father Van Dyke wrote. "I am grateful to those who came forward; that is an extraordinarily difficult task, I know, on so many levels -- moral, spiritual, and psychological."
He added, "Your painful honesty about what you experienced has made the rest of us aware of a problem -- a deeply-rooted problem that afflicts all human institutions -- that we all must acknowledge and face. I pray daily for the healing of the pain that you and your loved ones have experienced."
Jesuit Father Stephen Planning, president of Gonzaga College High School, announced that the school would rescind any honors or recognitions that the accused priests may have received, if that had not already been done.
"The clergy abuse crisis has been a deeply damaging and demoralizing experience for the people of God as well as for those Jesuits who have lived their vocations faithfully. However, no one has been more profoundly hurt than the victims of abuse themselves. They trusted in these men, only to have that trust shattered," wrote Father Planning in his message.
Acknowledging "that words are completely inadequate," he extended his "most sincere and heart-felt apology" to anyone "who has been harmed physically, sexually, emotionally or spiritually by any member of the Society of Jesus."
"No person should ever have to experience abuse," he said. "It is inexcusable."
In his statement, Father Hussey said: "In this season of Advent when we hear the promise of God’s coming among us. We pray for all victims of abuse and for our church, and we strive now to participate in the future God is bringing into being."
— Catholic News Service