Fr. Schaeffer Steps down from Board of Trustees

Boston College Chronicle
April 25, 2012

http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/publications/chronicle/FeaturesNewsTopstories/2012/news/schaeffer042612.html

Rev. Bradley M. Schaeffer, SJ, who had served on the Boston College Board of Trustees since 2004, resigned on April 19 after questions arose last week over his role in supervising Donald J. McGuire, a former Jesuit convicted of child sexual abuse, while Provincial of the Chicago Province of Jesuits from 1991-1997.

"As all in our community know, Boston College is a wonderful, caring institution of higher education," said Fr. Schaeffer in a statement. "I do not want to harm it or be a distraction. Therefore, I am ending my service as a trustee today."

A Boston Globe article on McGuire, who was expelled by the Society of Jesus and is serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for child sexual abuse, criticized Fr. Schaeffer's supervision of the former priest. Fr. Schaeffer has expressed regret for not having done more to prevent the abuse, saying in a statement released through the Chicago Province: "The 25 years that Donald McGuire is serving in federal prison will never be enough to lessen the anguish of the children and their families who were victimized by his reprehensible actions. While Provincial of the Chicago Province, I did my best to restrict him. I deeply regret that my actions were not enough to prevent him from engaging in these horrific crimes.

“Today, we have learned from the past and implemented rigorous policies to keep children safe. I pray for justice and healing for the victims of Donald McGuire and all those who have suffered sexual abuse of any kind."