Jesuit Priests ‘Credibly Accused’ of Child Sexual Abuse Named

In December 2018, the Maryland Province Jesuits released a list of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of children, and these allegations span the last six decades. Here, the clergy sexual abuse attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos detail information about these allegations.

Where Did the Accused Priests Serve?

The Maryland Province Jesuits recently released a list of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of children. This list names five living Jesuits, three who left the order after being accused of misconduct and five who are already deceased in a list released on Monday. The men accused of child sexual abuse worked for decades in a variety of institutions. These institutions included:

  • Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C.;
  • Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, Wake Forest University in North Carolina and several other colleges;
  • Georgetown University’s hospital;
  • churches in Washington D.C. and Baltimore;
  • and other institutions throughout the Maryland province territory.

There are also five priests who have been publicly included on lists published by other Jesuit provinces across the country who served in churches, schools or other institutions in the Maryland province, and five others who studied within the Maryland province.

How Were the Allegations Handled at the Time They Were Made?

While some of the Jesuit priests included on the list were criminally investigated at the time allegations against them were made, many of those included on the list were never criminally investigated and were not removed from ministry until years, and sometimes decades, after the original allegations were levied against them. One of the priests, J-Glenn Murray, was accused of abuse that happened in approximately 1981 but was not removed from ministry until 2011. Claude L. Ory faced multiple allegations of sexual abuse that most likely occurred in the 1970s but was not removed from ministry until 2007.

Three of the Jesuit priests on the list voluntarily chose to leave the order after allegations of abuse were made against them and now live as private citizens. Five of the living priests who were included on the list have been removed from ministry but are still housed by the Jesuit order.

What are the Next Steps for Victims and Concerned Parties?

The Law Offices of Peter Angelos has developed a team of lawyers to help survivors and victims in their path to healing. We understand that there is a world of difference and a long path of healing that exists between being a victim of child sexual abuse and being a survivor. In our work with these individuals, we have come to understand that while both a victim and a survivor have suffered abuse, a victim has just recognized the healing process necessary to move forward with life. Often, a victim can go decades without recognizing healing is needed or how difficult the healing process can be. We understand that to these individuals, reassurance, patience and compassion are necessary.

The team, including Jay D. Miller, Glenn E. Mintzer, Aaron R. Parker, Danielle S. Dinsmore and Marissa B. Joelson, is now actively involved in investigating civil claims against various church officials across Pennsylvania and nationally. The team consists of attorneys from many areas of civil litigation, with a special emphasis on understanding and compassion while helping clients navigate complex civil litigation. Perhaps more important than their years of work with survivors and victims of other horrible wrongdoing, the team members are personally committed to ensuring that survivors and victim’s voices are heard and justice is served. Contact us today for additional information, or to speak with an attorney about your experience.