EDITOR’S WARNING: The following article contains the names of Jesuit priests and brothers who have been accused of sexual abuse of a minor. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419. Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649. First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
WASHINGTON—The Jesuits of Canada have released a list of 27 priests and brothers it says were “credibly accused” of sexually abusing minors over the past 60 years—all but three of whom are now deceased. The Catholic order notes that the list should be considered a living document and is not intended as a finite compendium. Not all of those on the list were ever formally charged and/or convicted.
“Over the past three or more decades, revelations of grievous abuse by clergy dating back many generations have come to light and the Church has been slow to respond,” said Jesuits of Canada leader Erik Oland. “As we have met with survivors, listened to their stories and read the reports of their experiences, we have felt shame and became convinced that the only path forward is one of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.”
The highly anticipated release was foreshadowed by a 2019 announcement following a comprehensive audit of six decades of files. The Jesuits were assisted in the audit by a third-party risk assessment organization. Originally slated for release at the beginning of 2021, the delay in release was blamed on the pandemic.
The vast preponderance of cases referenced in the list did not come to light until after the death of the abuser.
The Jesuits of Canada cite “credible accusations” as those where it “appears more likely than not that an offence occurred,” including accusations by “credible witnesses, parishioners, civil authorities or clergy.” In compiling the list, the Jesuits and their audit assistants included those contained in “plausible hearsay evidence.” It is noted that such evidence would not be admissible in court.
Among the accused, 10 of the 27 of those on the list worked either at a residential school or on a First Nation.
Among those included on the list is Fr. George Epoch, who is accused of sexually abusing more than 100 children. The Jesuit priest served in Wiikwemkoong over the course of 30 years and his remains are still buried in a cemetery in that community. The Expositor has documented the legal proceedings involving Fr. Epoch numerous times over the past few years—most recently in a 2019 article by Expositor writer Warren Schlote documenting that the list would be released.
Of those who served on Manitoulin or at Spanish Residential School one was accused of a single incident—Fr. Michael Murray (died 2020), who served in Wiikwemkoong, M’Chigeeng, Spanish and at the Anishinabe Centre in Espanola.
Those facing multiple allegations from the English “province” of Jesuits include Fr. Joseph Baker (died 1977), who served at Spanish Residential School and/or on the Island at Wiikwemkoong and M’Chigeeng; Fr. Lawrence Brennan (died 2015), who served at Garnier Residential School in Spanish and Wiikwemkoong; Fr. Fredrick Costello (died 1965), who served at Spanish Indian Residential School; Fr. Epoch (died 1986), who served at Spanish Residential School and Wiikwemkoong; Br. Norman Hinton (died 1995), who served at Holy Cross Mission; Br. Gerard Horan (died 2011), who served in Espanola; Br. James Mara (died 1992), who served at Garnier Residential School in Spanish; Fr. John Neville O’Neill (died 2005), who served at Wiikwemkoong, M’Chigeeng and Little Current; and Br. William Westaway (died 1987), who served at Spanish Indian Residential School.
Other English “province” Jesuit priests on the list include those with a single allegation: Fr. Andrew Eordogh (died 2020), Fr. Wilfred Harris (died 1991), John Pungente (under restricted ministry), John Toth (died 1990), Francis Whelan (under restricted ministry) and those with multiple allegations: Fr. David Elely (restricted ministry), Fr. Robert MacDougall (died 2004), Fr. William Savoie (died 1989), Fr. George Topp (died 1997) and Fr. Lorne Trainor (died 2000).
French “province” (Jesuits of Lower Canada) priests with a single allegation include: Fr. Louis-Philippe (died 1980), Fr. Armand Chaumont (died 2002), Fr. Maurice Cote (died 2002) and Br. Fernand Desrocher (died 1982). Multiple allegations have been levied against Fr. Henri Lalonde (died 1974) and Fr. Marcel Menard (died 1974).
There are currently 208 Jesuit priests and brothers in Canada. The Jesuits are the largest Catholic order in the world, counting over 17,287 within their ranks globally.
