Fr. Charles F. Suver, S.J. "The Jesuit of Iwo Jima"

Fr. Charles F. Suver, S.J. "Mass at Iwo Jima"

Jesuit Father Charles F. Suver, a native of Ellensburg and a 1924 graduate of Seattle College, celebrated Mass prior to the famed flag raising. What’s more, the idea to plant the Stars & Stripes atop the 550-foot volcano was hatched six days earlier in the priest’s shipboard cabin, 

according to the late Jesuit Father Donald Crosby’s 1993 book, “Battlefield Chaplains: Catholic Priests in World War II.” Father Suver, a Navy chaplain, was among 19 Catholic chaplains and 58 chaplains assigned to minister to the three Marine divisions that wrested Iwo Jima from the Japanese in the war’s bloodiest battle in the Pacific, 

Father Crosby said in his book. On the eve of the landing assault, the then 38-year-old chaplain gathered with friends in his cabin after supper to chat.  “One young officer in the group said that if he could take an American flag from the landing craft, perhaps someone could hoist it on top of the volcano…,” Father Crosby wrote.  “Challenged a young lieutenant, ‘Okay, you get it and I’ll get it up there.’ Not to be outdone, Suver added, ‘You get it up there and I’ll say Mass under it.’ “Six days later he would keep his promise.” But it would be a long six days. Father Crosby, who researched Marine records and contacted several hundred former chaplains in writing his book, chronicled how Father Suver and a fellow Jesuit chaplain narrowly escaped death on several occasions during the battle for Iwo Jima.

Afterwards, “both remain haunted by their memories of the struggle,” the author said. “Most important, both found that the Iwo Jima experience gave them a deepened appreciation of their vocation as Roman Catholic priests, just as it did for their non-Jesuit and non-Catholic colleagues.” 

Father Suver’s landing craft had been among the ninth wave of landing crafts to reach the shores of Iwo Jima the morning of Feb. 19. They hit the beach at 9:40 a.m., which Father Suver thought was “far too early for a priest,” Father Crosby wrote. The chaplain soon discovered his heavy Mass kit would be of no use amid the hazardous surroundings, so he planned to bury it and return for it later. His assistant, however, convinced him to leave the kit out in the open, correctly surmising that another Marine would come along and spot the priest’s name on the kit and bring it to him. The flag raising took place on Feb. 23. 

Father Crosby’s book chronicles how Father Suver celebrated Mass atop Suribachi afterwards on an altar consisting of a board laid across two empty gas drums. 

But Jesuit Father Jerry Chapdelaine, a friend of Father Suver’s, said last week from his residence at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma that the reverse was true. Father Suver “told me the Mass was said before the raising of the flag – not after,” Father Chapdelaine said. “A lot of people got the deal wrong about the saying of the Mass…Father Suver told me (that he said to his men), ‘I’ll say Mass to you guys and then you raise that flag.’” Father Crosby’s book describes how Father Suver could hear Japanese soldiers chattering in caves nearby as he celebrated the Mass. The capture of Suribachi was a prelude to 29 more days of fierce fighting, in which the Marines suffered most of their casualties, Father Crosby wrote.  

“So many of the men (Father Suver) had seen on top of Suribachi were to ‘remain behind on Iwo.’ One of the severely injured was the brash young lieutenant who had boasted that he would put the flag on top. Tragically, he had been shot in the back before the flag raising and remained paralyzed for the rest of his life. Another Marine had carried the flag to the top.” 

After the war, Father Suver spent more than a dozen years ministering with the Jesuit Oregon Province’s Mission Band, conducting week-long spiritual renewals and other activities. He was pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in Spokane from 1958-66, and later did marriage counseling and retreat work in Seattle, then was chaplain at the Park Rose Care Center in Tacoma, residing with the Jesuit Community at Bellarmine Prep. “I remember him when I was a kid; he was on the Mission Band,” said Father Chapdelaine, who became good friends with the wartime chaplain when they resided at Jesuit residences in Portland and Tacoma. “He was one tough guy…physically strong, and he had lots of courage. But he was a very gentle man, too. “He talked about his fears (on Iwo Jima), but he (said he) didn’t think about that stuff much. He was pretty focused on what was going on. He was sensitive to the guys. 

“And he loved being a military chaplain. He told me they (the military) weren’t going to take him, that he was too old when he applied.” Father Suver died of cancer in 1993 at age 86, 

at the Bessie Burton Sullivan Skilled Nursing Residence at Seattle University. It was Easter Sunday. “He wanted to die on Good Friday – that’s what he told me,” said Father Chapdelaine, who celebrated his funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church in Seattle. “I don’t know if it was connected (to Iwo Jima) or not.”

Link (here) to CatholicMil.org

On Her Three Jesuit Abusers, “The Point Wasn’t Money; It Was To Bring The Issue To The Public. I Feel Like I Got Justice, And I Got The Word Out And Hopefully That Will Prevent Something Like This From Going On In The Future.”

Fr. Poole, S.J.in 1978, is named one of Alaska's hippest DJs by People magazine.

Two lawsuits brought against the Catholic Diocese of Yakima for alleged sexual abuse by clergy members are in the process of being settled.

A settlement agreement has been signed in the case of Michelle Duerre, who said she was sexually abused by three Jesuit priests during the 1970s.

The diocese has agreed to pay her $40,000. She alleged that the Revs. Frank Duffy, John Morse and James Poole abused her when she was between the ages of 8 and 12 and a student at St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School. Duerre said that Morse and Duffy abused her at the school and in the church rectory and that Poole abused her at the St. Peter the Apostle retreat house in Cowiche. She filed the suit in Yakima County Superior Court last March. Now 45, Duerre lives in King County and asked that her name be made public in her suit against the diocese. Reached by telephone Wednesday, Duerre said she decided not to go to trial because “the point wasn’t money; it was to bring the issue to the public. I feel like I got justice, and I got the word out and hopefully that will prevent something like this from going on in the future.” Now deceased, Duffy served at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 1971 to 1979 and in other parishes in the diocese until 1989. Morse worked at St. Joseph’s from 1963 to 1966, 1973 to 1979 and again in 1994. Poole was never assigned here, but may have been a visiting priest.

Duffy was the subject of a lawsuit brought by a plaintiff identified as M.P. in Superior Court in 2010. The plaintiff claimed she was molested in 1977 while a student at St. Joseph/Marquette. The case was settled in 2012 for $205,000.

Morse had not been named previously in a lawsuit against the diocese, but he was part of a $166 million settlement in 2011 the Jesuit Oregon Province agreed to pay to more than 100 victims who said they were abused in schools in the Pacific Northwest decades ago by Jesuits. Morse has denied those allegations. Newsweek magazine reported in 2008 that Poole had been accused of sexual abuse in Alaska. Both Morse and Poole live in a retirement facility in Spokane.

Link (here) to The Yakima Herald

Jesuit University Purchases Jesuit Residence From Jesuit Province

The province declared bankruptcy nearly three years ago, around the time that the group agreed to pay $166.1 million to about 500 people abused by Jesuit priests at schools in the Pacific Northwest. It was one of the Catholic Church’s biggest sex-abuse settlements. At the time, the National Catholic Reporter reported that the province would pay $48.1 million and that the order’s insurer would pay the rest.

On Jan. 16, Seattle University paid the Jesuits $2.2 million for the Arrupe Jesuit Community Building, which is on campus at 924 E. Cherry St. SU had previously owned the land but not the building, which serves as a home to Jesuits.

The purchase will help Seattle University, a Jesuit-run institution, ensure the continued presence of “a vibrant Jesuit community on our campus and is consistent with the relationship between other Jesuit universities and their Jesuits,” SU spokeswoman Stacy Howard said in a statement. Pat Walsh, the spokesman for the Oregon province of the Society of Jesus, said the sale is unrelated to the sexual-abuse settlement. The bankruptcy was over with several years ago, and the people who had claims against the province have been paid, he said. Money from the sale of the building will go into the province’s budget and could be used to fund the care of elderly priests, Walsh said, adding that Jesuits have been selling residence halls to Jesuit educational institutions.

Link (here) to Bizjournals

Fr. Warren C. Lilly, S.J. On The Catholic Church "She Is The Bride Of A Crucified Savior And The Spouse Of A Risen Redeemer."

The Catholic Religion is persecuted by the wicked and venerated by the good. She is reviled by the intolerant and admired by the fair-minded. She is hated by false prophets and deceitful leaders, but honored by the upright and worthy. She is calumniated and maligned by the hypocritical and glorified by the honest. She is assailed by the powers of darkness, but exonerated by time and justice. The reason is this: She is the bride of a crucified Savior and the spouse of a risen Redeemer.

She is the real and only rock of ages, the bulwark of law and order. Despite the false assumptions of her maligners, she is the guardian of science and the safeguard of morality. Against the enemies of mankind, she is the preserver of the human race, the salvation of the unborn. She is the fidelity of husband and wife; she is the homebuilder, the hope and harmony of parents and children. She is the foundation of the family, and the backbone of the nation. These powers are not of man. They are not of priests or bishops. They are of God.

 Go to the uttermost bounds of the earth; she is an all-nation faith, the true "International." She is ever ancient, ever new. She is apostolic in her teaching, in her worship and her authority. Her history is the history of the civilized world. She preserved the remnants of Greek and Roman culture and civilized the barbarian hordes of Europe and elsewhere. She Christianizes wherever she is allowed entrance and even wins her way against opposition and persecution. Only God could do what she has done. God works through her.

Link (here) to the piece by  Fr. Warren C. Lilly, S.J

Jesuits To Sell Million Dollar Nestucca Sanctuary

A locked gate on the edge of the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is about as close as most people get to the secluded bay front acreage beyond. And that's the way it's been for nearly 75 years. Now, that's about to change. The 93-acre Jesuit-owned Nestucca Sanctuary is up for grabs in a sealed bid auction set to end at 5p.m. Wednesday.  "It's a unique property, so an auction seemed the way to go," said Bill Lockyear, chief financial officer for the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province. The move to sell the sanctuary is a part of trend within the Society nationally, and comes as retreat use within the church has declined, Lockyear said. The Jesuits developed the site in the late 1930s to be used by novitiates as a place of study and reflection. It continued to be used in that manner for about 50 years until they converted it to a retreat facility for groups inside and out of the church. It's been fairly empty for about five years, Lockyear said. The drive to the property winds through the refuge, past deer and geese, wetlands and meadow, then up and over the headland and down again through dense forest of Sitka spruce, Alder and Hemlock. A two-story wood lodge perches about 50 feet above Nestucca Bay with more than a mile of shoreline, and views to the north of Haystack Rock and to the south of the Pacific Ocean. There are rooms for 14 in the main lodge, plus a dormitory and four cabins, adding up to accommodations for 38. There is also a tiny reflecting pool with nearby seating. A bid of $1,295,000 is the price the seller is obligated to sell at, though they could opt to accept a lower bid. 

Link (here)

Jesuit Property Up For Auction

One of the most pristine, scenic and unique properties in Tillamook County is on the auction block. Nestucca Sanctuary, a former Jesuit retreat facility near Pacific City will be auctioned through Realty Marketing/Northwest December 5. Opening bids start at $1,295,000. This is the first time the property has been on the market since it was developed by the Jesuits 73 years ago. The former Jesuit retreat facility with lodge and dormitory is located on a forested 93-acre parcel, the northernmost headland in the Nestucca Bay, overlooking the bay to the east, Pacific City to the north and the ocean to the west. It includes over a mile of shoreline. The property was developed in 1938-1939 by the Jesuits as a summer retreat location, in order to serve the Jesuit Novitiate of St. Francis Xavier, located in Sheridan, Oregon.
Link (here) to Tillamook Headlight Herald

Schola Affectus

Ten Jesuit tertians from around the world are starting the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius today in Portland, Ore. This four-week retreat is an important component of tertianship, a part of the Jesuit formation process.

Tertianship is usually made ten to fifteen years after the novitiate and at the end of a Jesuit’s professional training. St. Ignatius called it a “school of the heart” because it’s a time when the tertian deepens his own commitment to the Society of Jesus. “The retreat of the Spiritual Exercises is perhaps the key moment of tertianship. After years of living his life as a Jesuit, the tertian once again engages in this month-long program of intense prayer and reflection and brings his lived experience as a Jesuit before our loving God,” explains Jesuit Father Dave Godleski

Link (here) to Jesuit.org

Wrongheaded

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain

A Jesuit priest who serves as pastor of a parish in the Archdiocese of Seattle has told National Public Radio that opposition to same-sex marriage is a denial of civil rights. Archbishop J. Peter Sartain has asked priests to collect signatures for a referendum on the State of Washington’s recent redefinition of marriage. In February, Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Catholic, signed into law a bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Washington.Among the dozen priests who have refused to permit signature collection is Father John Whitney of St. Joseph’s Parish in Seattle. “It's a denial of civil rights,” the Jesuit told National Public Radio. “I think civil marriage should be defended as something possible for all people. And I think the referendum is wrongheaded in that sense.”

Link (here) to Catholic Culture

Eco-Justice At Jesuit Parish

Living in right relationship with all God’s Creation is at the center of our Christian faith. The Eco-Justice Ministry seeks not only to reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainably, but to open ourselves to a radical change of heart and mind in how we live on and with the earth.

• We promote ways in which we as individuals, as families, and as a faith community can care for creation by making our homes and the church-school campus more sustainable.
• We promote governmental policies that are environmentally sound.
• We advocate for those who are most severely burdened by the effects of environmental degradation and climate change.

Link (here) to more about this at the Jesuit Parish, St. Joseph in  Seattle, Washington

Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J. "Particularly Inquisitional"

Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J.

In the seven years I have been writing this column, I have rarely dealt with issues specific to the Catholic Church. Rather I have tried to focus on contemplative walks in the Arboretum, the spirituality of gardening, the gift of family, strengthening Christian unity through ecumenical relationships, the importance of prayer, the wealth of spiritual resources in Catholic tradition and so forth. Two exceptions would be the sexual-abuse crisis, "Jesuits reflect on abuse scandal" (Seattle Times, April 30, 2010), and the election of the new pope in April 2005. But now the Catholic faithful have been rocked by another incredible initiative from the Holy See, and I cannot pass over in silence. (Note of explanation: "Holy See" refers to the central church leadership. "Vatican" refers to the city-state or political entity.) In this instance, the Holy See through the Congregation on Doctrine and Faith has mandated a reining in of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). It calls into question the leadership of the American Catholic sisters and hence their generous, intelligent, compassionate contributions, and their prophetic voice within the church. Many are shocked, even scandalized, by this intervention. The reasons given are even more problematic. The ones that leap out are that Women Religious has been silent on issues of sexual ethics, such as contraception and gay marriage, and that some of their invited keynote speakers at their national conferences have raised up significant issues the church still needs to deal with. By implication, they have focused too much on social-justice issues such as homelessness, oppressive political structures, capital punishment, and so forth without sufficient attention to the doctrinal teaching of the church. And they should never have raised questions about the ordination of women. Being called on the carpet for maintaining a respectful silence on controversial issues related to sexual ethics seems particularly inquisitional.

Link (here) to The Seattle Times and the full opinion piece by Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J.

Seattle University Is Not Controlled By The Oregon Province

Seattle University won't be financially liable for lawsuits filed against the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesuits, said President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., in his State of the University address. In January of 2009, a lawsuit was filed against the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesuits for sexual abuse against Alaskan Native children. Sundborg was named as a defendant in the case, which sparked concerns as to whether Seattle U's assets were safe. Back in 2009, when legal charges caused the Oregon Province to file for bankruptcy, Sundborg included the following statement in an email to students, faculty and staff: "I want to assure you that Seattle University is not part of this bankruptcy proceeding. Seattle University is, and has been for more than 100 years, an independent Washington non-profit corporation. Seattle University is not owned, operated or controlled by the Oregon Province."

Link (here)

Former Jesuit Scholastic, Current Federal Prisoner

Former Jesuit Chris Spicer leading a White Rose prayer service

Furthermore, though it may not seem as evident amidst the multiplying fences, hovering helicopters, and armed police, there has indeed been progress in the struggle against militarization, and the movement still draws from deep wells of creativity. This year, although a significant setback and a great deal of confusion resulted from the indiscriminate arrests of 26 people (most of whom did not intend to risk arrest), many others willingly participated in creative acts of nonviolent resistance throughout the weekend. About 10 to 12 people were arrested after briefly blocking a road into Ft. Benning with a large sign that read, “Stop: This is the End of the Road for the SOA.” 

Father Louis Vitale and Nancy Smith entered the base from the highway ramp, and David Omandi of the LA Catholic Worker and (former Oregon Province Jesuit Scholastic) Christopher Spicer of the White Rose Catholic Worker (Students of Loyola  University Chicago) jumped over the first set of barbed wire fencing at the entrance to the base. 

And so I look to the resisters for energy, those who come year after year and those who engage for the first time.

Link (here) to the blog entitled entitled Loretto Volunteers
Chris Spicer pleaded "No contest" and is serving 6 months in Federal Prison (here) and (here)
Chris Spicer as Jesuit (here) , (here) and (here)

Jesuit High Schools In The Oregon Province Say They Are Not A Part Of Oregon Province

Later this summer, insurers for the Oregon Province will send payments to the trust of nearly $120 million, according to attorneys for the parties.

A last-minute objection to the bankruptcy plan by a lawyer for four high schools -- Beaverton's Jesuit High, Tacoma's Bellarmine Preparatory, Spokane's Gonzaga Preparatory and Seattle Preparatory -- nearly put a halt to today's long-awaited conclusion to the bankruptcy plan.

A lawyer for the schools wanted an agreement written into the plan that would release them from any legal claim that they were part of the Oregon Province. The province and the committee of creditors appointed in the case had recently reached such an agreement with Seattle University. However, the creditors committee argued against the high schools getting the same deal.

Lawyers huddled privately during a break in today's proceedings to reach a compromise: the settlement trust was given a deadline of up to nine months to commence any litigation against the high schools. The trust would also be required to file one lawsuit, and it would be limited to a pair of Portland venues: U.S. District Court or U.S. Bankruptcy Court. 

Link (here) to Oregon Live to read the full story.

The Former St. Francis Xavier's Novitiate

The June 3-16 Catholic Sentinel reported that the former St. Francis Xavier's Novitiate in Sheridan, Oregon, where young Jesuits were formed for decades, is now the Delphian School, a private boarding school that developed in the 1970s. The article went on to say that the school is affiliated with the Church of Scientology. Delphian school officials say that last point is a common misunderstanding. The Delphian school, they explain, uses study methods developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology but is not affiliated with the church.

Link (here) to read the original piece at The Catholic Sentential .

"I Don't Go To Church No More,"

St. Ignatius Mission Church in St. Ignatius, Montana

"It took me 40 years to separate the Catholic religion and belief in God," said Garry "Bob" Salois, who despite his palpable anger took off his cap when he entered St. Ignatius church. "I believe there's got to be a creator of all things. But if Jesus Christ and his bunch are a true religion, he's forsaken me a long time ago." Leland "Jimi" Hewankorn has worked to reclaim his tribal heritage, turning to traditional ways. "I don't go to church no more," he said. "I confess to Him only. I don't confess to a human being."

The men said they're waiting for something more valuable than money. "I got over being angry," Burke said. "But I want an apology. Not for myself, but the whole Indian race." Salois hopes the Rev. Patrick Lee, the leader of the Oregon Province, comes to St. Ignatius to apologize in person - although at the thought, his anger flashed anew. "I'd tell him, I don't accept your apologies. It's too damn late," he said. 

But a moment later, he added, "I'd go and see what kind of apology he gives. If it's a real one, I'll accept it. But if it's one of their old phonies, I'll spit in his face and go away." And Hewankorn wants to ask the old, unanswerable question. "Why? Why did you do that to us?"

Link (here) to the full Missoulian article.

Jesuit Sworn In As House Chaplian

Oregon's Father Patrick Conroy was sworn in Wednesday as House chaplain, making the 60-year-old priest the first Jesuit to hold the position and also the first candidate who needed to navigate around the Catholic church's recent history. "It’s clear this loyal servant of the faithful is uniquely suited to serve as chaplain of the people’s House," Speaker John Boehner said, noting that the chaplain "is the anchor of the House." "Leader Pelosi and I have gotten a chance to know Father Pat, and we’re honored that he has accepted our invitation to serve as chaplain," Boehner said. "We are blessed to have his guidance and his wisdom as we discharge our duties and fulfill our obligations to current and future generations of Americans.  Please join me in welcoming and congratulating the 60th chaplain of the House of Representatives, Father Pat Conroy.”

Link (here) to Oregon Live to read the full story.

Inside The Oregon Deal

Michael Pfau

The settlement of more than 500 individual claims, the result of over a year of negotiations, is believed to be the single-largest clergy sex-abuse bankruptcy settlement in the United States. It is also the first bankruptcy among the 10 Jesuit provinces nationwide. While a number of Catholic Dioceses have filed for bankruptcy, including the Spokane Diocese, the Jesuits are the first religious order to seek bankruptcy protection. The Oregon Province covers Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Alaska. Seattle sexual abuse attorney Michael Pfau, who represents 150 of the victims and played a role in brokering the settlement, said the money for victims, while significant, is secondary in importance to exposing wrongs and forcing change. “It took courage for the men and women we represent to come forward, tell their story and challenge such a powerful institution,” Pfau said. Although Pfau has represented hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse, he believes the bankruptcy will shed further light on what he perceives as a problem of institutional neglect. “Our clients and their communities deserve answers and deserve closure and this settlement is a big step toward accomplishing those goals,” Pfau said. A steering committee of seven victims and their attorneys began negotiating with the Jesuits several months ago. The same committee will recommend to all claimants that the offer be accepted. Under the terms of the proposed settlement agreement, approximately 70 percent of the payout will come from insurance assets. The remaining 30 percent will be paid directly by the Oregon Province.

Link (here) to read the full article at Othello Outlook

An Excerpt From PBS Television News Show Frontline Entitled "The Silence" Documenting A Small Portion Of The Jesuit Alaskan Fiasco

One man, Ben Andrews, recounts that when he told his father what the priest had done, his father grabbed his belt, "… and he hung me upside down. He beat me and told me never to talk about priests like that. My dad went out. He came back pretty drunk and I saw him holding a pistol in his hand. He looked at my mom, and pointed the gun at her. The gun went off and my brother was in the front. The bullet pierced both of them. I held him in my arm. My brother didn't have to die just because I told my dad the truth."

Link (here) to read the full piece at the ultra-liberal NCR

Number Three

The Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus recent settlement is believed to be the Catholic Church’s third-largest in the sex abuse cases, behind the Los Angeles Diocese, which agreed to pay $660 million to 508 victims, and the San Diego Diocese, which agreed to pay $198 million to 144 victims............
 Link (here) to to read the full article at News from Indian Country.

As Peers Of A Jesuit Institution

Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J.

In a campus-wide email sent Mar. 25, Seattle University stated "the university and the Oregon Province are legally and financially separate and independent entities." The case has stirred up a great deal of controversy across campus with students and staff. In a separate message sent to students from Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J. on Mar. 28, Howell encouraged students to pray for the abused and their families. As peers of a Jesuit institution, Howell stated, we must not "lose sight of the victims" and continue to focus on reconciliation and the protection of children. 

"We need to focus not so much on Jesuits and what's happening to Seattle U, but the victims and care for victims and how we're going to address that in the future," Howell said. "We need to focus on how we're going to keep children protected." 

According to the university's official statement, Seattle U was in no way involved with the abuse happening under the Oregon Province, but does cite a handful of claims against two former Jesuits at Seattle U, both of whom are now deceased.
Link (here) to read the full article.