The Jesuit Stories Behind The Bankruptcy Of The Oregon Province

His Holiness Pope John Paul II

in an excerpt from his homily at

The World Youth Day 2002
Toronto, Downsview Park, Sunday July 28, 2002

Even a tiny flame lifts the heavy lid of night. How much more light will you make, all together, if you bond as one in the communion of the Church! If you love Jesus, love the Church! Do not be discouraged by the sins and failings of some of her members.

The harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame.

But think of the vast majority of dedicated and generous priests and religious whose only wish is to serve and do good!

There are many priests, seminarians and consecrated persons here today; be close to them and support them! And if, in the depths of your hearts, you feel the same call to the priesthood or consecrated life, do not be afraid to follow Christ on the royal road of the Cross!

At difficult moments in the Church's life, the pursuit of holiness becomes even more urgent. And holiness is not a question of age; it is a matter of living in the Holy Spirit, just as Kateri Tekakwitha did here in America and so many other young people have done.

Link (here)


(Blogger note: Short bio's and most links are from Bishop'sAccountability.org).


Fr. Francis "Frank" Duffy, S.J.

Accused in 2002 Oregon suit of abuse of 6- and 7- yr old sisters in 1967 and 1968 at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Woodburn. Case settled 2003. Also settlement same year with another female claimant. Named in suit filed against Jesuit Order in 2007. Plaintiff alleges that he and Fr. James Poole abused her in mid-1960s when she was a child. Died 1992. Included in 11/07 settlement w/ Order. Woman alleged improper touching in late 1980s in 6/08 suit in Yakima WA settled 8/08.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Bernard A. Harris, S.J.

Accused in 2006 civil suit of molesting four of eight siblings (3 girls and a boy) between 1968-1972. Brother of James M. Harris who has also been accused of molesting several of the children. Died 1972. Although Bernard Harris was apparently working out of Helena, MT Diocese, all of the abuse occurred in the Portland Archdiocese.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. John Schwartz, S.J.

Sued 2005. Accused of abuse of student in 1986-1987 in Oregon. Article says he is no longer a Jesuit but works as priest for Archdiocese of San Francisco and has taken a voluntary leave . Suit settled for $95,000 in Nov. 2005. Per 11/06 article, Schwartz is being returned to active duty because Archdiocese says accusations were not credible.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. John R.Thatcher, S.J.

Thatcher joined the Jesuit order in 1934 and worked in various cities including Spokane. After ordination, he continued to work in Spokane and then worked in Portland from 1957-1973 and 1981-1994. Thatcher is accused of showing a 6 yr old boy pornography and sexually abusing him in 1963. He died in 2003.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Jules Convert, S.J.

Ordained in France. Served in Alaska from 1942-1978. Died 1995. 8 men filed civil suit in 2003 alleging abuse from 1955 to about 1977. Most have settled claims against Order but claims against diocese remain. Two settled completely and other plaintiffs have joined the case. Total of 16-18 plaintiffs have made accusations. Alaska Supreme Court ruled 8/06 that case can proceed while more evidence is gathered. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here),
(here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Norman E. Donohue, S.J.

Two men filed suit against Diocese and Jesuit Order in Sept. 2006 alleging abuse by Donohue between 1967 and 1973 in Nulato, Alaska. Donohue died in 1983. Also named in some of 43 civil suits filed 1/09 which alleged Jesuits knew of abuse over the years and did nothing.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) , (here) and (here)

Fr. George S. Endal, S.J.

In 2005 suit, woman accused Endal of sexually abusing her over a 3-year period between 1966-1968 when she was 9 through 12 years old. Two men joined suit in 2/06. Endal was the supervisor of two other Jesuit accused abusers, Lundowski and Smario, and did not act when he received complaints against the two men. Endal died in 1996. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuits. In 1/09 Plaintiffs filed 43 suits against Jesuits; many named Endal as abuser.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here),
(here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Andrew (Andras) M. Eordogh, S.J.

Sued 2006. Accused of abuse of one boy, beginning at age 4, in late 1960s in village of Holy Cross. Eordough is retired and living in Hungary per one 2006 article. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Francis "Frank" J. Fallert, S.J.

Plaintiffs filed 43 suits 1/09 against Jesuit Order and its former provincial alleging that Order knew of abusive priests in Alaska and did nothing to stop them. One woman in the suit alleged abuse by Fallert at St. Micheal's Church in 1956-1957. Died 6/90

(here), (here), (here) (here) and (here)

Fr. Henry G. Hargreaves, S.J.

Never sued but name is included in 11/07 settlement between Jesuit order and 110 plaintiffs. In 2003 Hargreaves was accused by a woman in her 60s of making improper advances to her. The bishop publicly apologized, both orally and in newspapers, and Hargreaves was removed from his parish and sent for evaluation. In 1/09 43 plaintiffs in Alaska sued Order & Seattle Univ. Pres. the Rev. Stephen Sundborg alleging Sundborg knew about abuse by Hargreaves & others and did nothing.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here) (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Thomas Hatrel, S.J.

In Oct, 2007 Hatrel has just been added as a defendant in existing litigation in Fairbanks. The abuse is alleged to have occurred betweeb 1985-87 while Hatrel served at St. Ignatius parish in Alakanuk, Alaska. Hatrel is deceased. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuits.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. James E. Jacobson, S.J.

Accused of raping two girls and fathering sons on both. One child was born 1966 and the other in 1975. One of the women and both adult children filed suit in 2005 against Order and Jacobson in an attempt to collect past child supprt. 2006 suit says he also raped a 16-year-old girl in another Western Alaska village. Order knew in 1967 of "very serious moral charges" against him. Suits settled 3/07 for $1.96 mil. Other claims settled 11/07 w/ Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Br. Ignatius J. Jakes, S.J.

3 women filed civil suit in Sept. 2006 against Diocese and Jesuit order claiming abuse by Jakes (an Inupiat Eskimo) in 1980s. He died in 1999. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuit Order. He is referred to as a volunteer

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. James R. Laudwein, S.J.

Accused in a 2005 lawsuit of molesting a 14-year-old Eskimo girl in 1980. Laudwein denies the accusations against him. He was working in Archdiocese of Portland in a ministry for the poor when the lawsuit was filed. At that time, he was placed on restriction leave. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Segundo Llorente, S.J.

Sued 12/04. Accused of abuse between 1956-1957 by one plaintiff. Another plaintiff added to suit 8/05. Died. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Richard L. McCaffrey, S.J.

Accused of abuse of 2 girls approx. 1981. Sued and also placed on permanent leave in 2005. Died 5/06.

(here) (here) and (here)

Fr. Bernard Francis McMeel, S.J.

Known as "Father Barney." Worked in Alaska from 1955 - 1978. Accused in 2006 civil suit of abusing one child from 1967-1970 when he was aged 4-7. Suit claims he was transferred out of Alaska in 1978 after the order learned he had abused a child. He was assigned to the mission church on an Indian reservation in Great Falls, MT diocese from 1978 until his death in 1992 (or 1994). Claims included in 11/07 settlement with Jesuits.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Francis X. Nawn, S.J.

Sued 12/04 by one man. Accused of abuse in 1963-1964. 3 plaintiffs added 1/05, 2 more added 4/05 and last 3 added added 8/05 for a total of 9 plaintiffs (including 1 woman). Deceased. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with the Jesuits. No settlement with Diocese. Accused of abuse of 3 in 2009 civil suit against Jesuit order.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. James E. Poole, S.J.

Accused of abuse of girls in 1960s and 1970s, particularly at St. Mary's Mission Boarding School. One suit settled 2005. Admission. Several other pending in 2006. A sixth woman filed suit in Sept. 2006 alleging that Poole abused her for 6 years, beginning when she was age 6. Another suit filed 2/07 against the Jesuit order for transferring Poole (with knowledge of his behavior) to Portland, OR where he abused a young girl in 1960s. Settlement 11/07. Another settlement 8/08

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Bradley "Brad" R. Reynolds, S.J.

Suit filed 8/08 and acknowledged 1/09 alleges Reynolds abused two boys at Toksook Bay No date given. A renown photographer and writer, Reynolds has often been quoted as a spokesman for the Oregon Province. He was removed from duties 8/08 and has been residing under 24 hr supervision at a Jesuit residence. The Order is continuing to investigate the allegations.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. John J. Wood, S.J.

Wood was added as a defendant in existing litigation in Oct. 2007. He is accused of abuse in Chevak, Alaska. Wood is deceased. He served in rural Alaska for approximately 12 yrs. Claims included in 11/07 settlement with Jesuits.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. Englebert M. Axer, S.J.

2006 article says Axer is accused of abusing a minor in 1956. He was a professor at Seattle Univ. from 1956-1987. He died in 1989. At some point in the past, the Univ. removed his name from an endowed chair in the philosophy department because of the abuse. There has been at least one settlement as of 11/07.

(here) , (here) , (here) and (here)

Fr. John Coughlin, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Coughlin was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. No further information found. He died (in 1965?)

(here) and (here)

Fr. Dominic W. Doyle, S.J.

Sued 2002 by woman who alleged he began an improper relationship with her when she was 15 and he was nearly 60. She attended a horse camp he ran on Kalispel Indian Reservation and said his involvement progressed from innocuous physical contact to wrestling to overt sexual activity. Relationship continued into her adulthood. He died in 2005. Diocese said in 2007 that allegation was credible.

(here) and (here)

Br. James Gates, S.J.

15 women and 1 man have accused Gates & Fr. John Morse of abuse when they were students at St. Mary's Mission and School on the Colville Indian Reservation in late 1950-early 1960s. He was placed on leave and lives under supervision at a Jesuit residence . Jesuits announced $4.8M settlement with the 16 in 1/08.

(here) and (here)

Fr. John Hurley, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Hurley was named in accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven. No further information found as to abuse. He spent most of his career at Gonzaga Prep. He died in 1998.

(here) and (here)

Fr. David G. King, S.J.

Accused in 2004 (2006?) lawsuit of abuse of 13 yr old boy in early 1950s. King died in 2002. Civil Suit dismissed 7/06 due to "Lack of activity." At least 2 sets of counsel for the Plaintiff had withdrawn from the case.

(here) and (here)

Michael Kosak, nS.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Kosak, a seminary student, was named in accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven. He was dismisssed from seminary. No further information found.

(here) and (here)

Fr. John P. Leary, S.J.

First allegations in 1966. In 1969, Police ordered Leary, then President of Gonzaga Univ., to leave Spokane in 24 hours or be arrested for sexually abusing teenage boys. Jesuit Order approved and Leary left. He was reassigned to posts in Massachusetts, Utah, Nevada and California and died in 1993. Jesuit officials admit to 2 recent settlements with victims. There may have been as many as 12 victims.

(here) , (here), (here), (here), (here), (here),
(here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. John McDonald, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, McDonald was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. He died in 1985. No further information found.

(here) and (here)

Br. Fenton Melia, S.J.

Entered the Jesuit novitiate in Florissant, MO in 1957 and took final vows 2.2.68. Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Melia was named in accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven. He worked as cook at philosophate in Spokane as well as in AK and OR. Died 5/30/08. No further information found on accusations.

(here) , (here) and (here)

Fr. John J.Morse, S.J.

15 women and 1 man accused Morse and a religious brother of abuse when they were students at St. Mary's Mission and School on the Colville Indian Reservation in late 1950-early 1960s. He was placed on leave and currently lives under supervision at a Jesuit residence. He is also on list issued by Spokane Diocese11/07 of priests with admitted, proven or credible accusations. Jesuits announced $4.8M settlement with the 16 in 1/08.

(here) , (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Br. John O'Brien, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, O'Brien was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. He died in 1989. No further information on alleged abuse found. This may possibly be the Br. John O'Brien who taught latin at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane

(here) and (here)

Fr. Peter O' Grady, S.J.

Woman filed suit 1/04 alleging that she was sexually abused by O'Grady at Jesuit House in Spokane when she was 12. O'Grady was providing "supply work" to parishes in Spokane at that time. O'Grady died in 1993. Suit names Portland Province of the Jesuit Order as well as Bishop Syklstad. Settled 12/04. Diocese said allegations were proven or credible.

(here), (here) and (here)

Fr. William Ryan, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Ryan was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. He died in 1967. No further information found.

(here) and (here)

Fr. Jerry Sullivan, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Sullivan was named in accusation that was found to be credible or proven. He was "dismissed." No further information found.

(here) and (here)

Fr. Michael Toulouse, S.J.

Toulouse, a former philosophy professor at Seattle University, was accused in 2005 suit of abusing a 12 yr old boy in 1968. He died in 1976. Investigation uncovered earlier accusations in 1947 in Spokane as well. Accusations made to church officials in 1965, and complaint made to Order in 1993 and to Archdiocese in 2004. Died 1976. Suit settled 11/06 for $350,000. 8 men filed new suit 7/07.10th man filed suit 10/08.

(here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Br. Benjamin Trautman, S.J.

Per statement released by Diocese of Spokane 11/07, Trautman was named in accusation that was found to be admitted, credible or proven. He died in 1999 at age 83. No further information found regarding the alleged abuse.

(here) and (here)

Fr. Carlton E. Whitten, S.J.

Placed on leave in Dec. 2007 and moved from his residence at Bellarmine College Preparatory (San Jose) to Sacred Heart, the Jesuit center in Los Gatos while his order investigates "an alleged recent incident of improper touching involving a 17 yr old youth while on a pastoral assignment" in White Salmon, Washington. Whitten is semi-retired and often filled in along the western coast states for priests on vacation or leave. Adult imagery was also found on computer that Whitten used.

(here), (here), (here), (here) and (here)

Fr. A. J. "Fr. Freddy" Ferreti, S.J

Woman filed suit 10/08 against Oregon Province of the Jesuit Order alleging that Ferreti sexually abused her on many occasions in 1970s, beginning when she was 8. He was assigned to the Lapwai Catholic Church in Nez Perce County at the time of the abuse. Ferreti died in 1982, Plaintiff's attorney dismissed the suit 1/09 and refiled it, adding Boise Diocese as defendant. Two other women have come forward with similar complaints.

(here), (here), (here), (here) , (here), (here) and (here)

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

made a historic full apology for child sex abuse
by priests and clergymen in Australia, on July 19, 2008.In Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral.

Before a 3,400 congregation, he called for compensation and demanded punishment for those guilty of the "evil":

"Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country. I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering."

The Pope added:

"Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. I ask all of you to support and assist your bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil."

(Blogger note: Short bio's and most links are from Bishop'sAccountability.org)