Jesuit Documents State Abuser Unfit since 1959

What They Knew
October 3, 2012

http://vu2103.katla.orangewebsite.com/jesuit-documents-state-abuser-unfit-since-1959/


[with video]

[with pdf]

In another letter from November 30, 1959 Chicago – Detroit Province Jesuit superiors state in correspondence that there is "serious doubt about [his] fitness for the Order" of one Donald McGuire SJ. McGuire would later rise through the ranks of the Jesuits, befriend popes and three candidates for sainthood, only to be convicted criminally twice by juries in both state and federal court for child sexual abuse. Names of other "doubtful" Jesuit novices are included as well. Who they are, we don't know yet.

Given the severity of the letter below, it is remarkable to see the image above from June 11, 1961 when McGuire was ordained to the priesthood. Although he remained a Jesuit for over 50 years until 2008 (although he was convicted criminally in 2006) reports of sexual abuse and improper relationships with minor children began in 1964 as we shall see later.

But this is what they knew in 1959.

Living as an angel in the

Place that I was born

Living on air, Living in heaven

Giving the lie down, the line

To the

There's my heaven, And I know

Which way the wind blows

In nineteen fifty-nineWhich way the wind blows

In nineteen fifty-nineAnd the wind blows still

And the wind blows wild again

For a little child can never kill this clean

This way

And it feels like me today

Tell me Do you feel the same? Isabelle?

Or do you feel like nineteen fifty-nine?

…Do you feel like nineteen fifty-nine?

And the wind blows wild again

And the wind blows wild

In nineteen fifty-nine

In fifty-nine, Isabelle. Do you, do you fell the same?

Come with me

Like a little child, Like another gun

Like homeless, restless, known to none, like

Way beyond the line

Like it never was

In nineteen fifty-nine