Six Quebec Jesuits are on a list of 27 clergy who are the subject of allegations of “sexual abuse of minors” and recently made public.
The other 21 practiced in an English-speaking province.
“This decision [de publier la liste] is the latest in a series of measures taken by the Jesuits of Canada since the 1990s to address the reality of sexual abuse and its consequences. We have developed detailed procedures for receiving and investigating allegations of sexual abuse of minors,” said Erik Oland, SJ, Provincial Superior, on the Jesuits of Canada website.
In March 2022, the Jesuits had already investigated allegations of sexual abuse that targeted a priest who had previously worked in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, near Montreal.
“In December 2019, I shared with the Jesuit Province and the general public that the Jesuits in Canada were undertaking a comprehensive audit of all instances of abuse and breaches of boundaries, as a benchmark for current and future Provincials, in order to help them in their governance and in the management of possible situations of this type”, he added.
Mr Oland clarified that new guidelines had since been established, including psychological evaluation of potential applicants or annual training on preventing abuse and “how to lead a healthy celibate life”, emphasizing zero tolerance in terms of abuse.
Most of the cases came to light after the death of the alleged perpetrator and some of those cases never went to criminal or civil trial, he continued, noting that the list can be brought to evolve.
“Completing our audit and deciding to publish the names of those charged in a credible manner expresses our commitment to transparency and accountability,” it also read.
The audit was undertaken with the assistance of independent investigator Brian King, of King International Advisory Group, in early 2020.