List of Marianist Members Found to Have Sexually Abused a Minor

By Fr. Oscar Vasquez SM
The Marianists - Province of the United States
June 24, 2020

https://www.marianist.com/healing

Marianist Provincial Father Oscar Vasquez along with Assistant Provincial Brother Bernard Ploeger announce the publication of a list of names of Province members found to have sexually abused a minor.

March 31, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

For decades, despicable and evil acts of abuse committed by clergy and vowed religious of the Catholic Church dwelled in the shadows. Hidden and ignored by church members and leaders, these abhorrent sins festered, stifling the light of our Church.

The actions of some have wounded victims, sparked righteous outrage, and severely damaged the trust of the faithful. The failure to shed light on sexual abuse in recent decades demands a contrite and transparent response from Church leadership.

Today, in a spirit of sorrow and accountability, and with a sincere desire for reconciliation and healing, we are confronting the darkness of these sins.

To those who have survived sexual abuse at the hands of a member of the Society of Mary, we profoundly regret and apologize for the serious harm you have suffered. We apologize for the betrayal and pain you and your family have endured. Words will never heal your wounds, but we pray that our actions today will help bring you some solace.

The Marianist Province of the United States is ashamed and deeply regretful that some among its members have been guilty of sexual abuse of a minor. Abusive behavior is a betrayal of our religious vocation and has no place in our ministries. All entrusted to our care should be safe.

After a careful review of more than 2,500 member personnel files, we are now disclosing names of those Marianist priests and brothers, living and deceased, found to have sexually abused a minor since 1950 in the United States. All living Marianists who have been found to have sexually abused a minor have been placed on a safety plan and permanently removed from public ministry.

The list can be found at marianist.com/healing.

In publishing this list, we hope and pray that survivors will be validated in their experiences, and that our commitment to transparency will help rebuild trust.

We regret the suffering we may have caused both in previously not releasing these names and in doing so now. We also realize that some will be deeply troubled to find the name of a brother they knew personally and for whom they may have fond memories and deep respect.

In the past two decades, the Province has taken significant measures to ensure a safe environment for those with whom we minister. Our policies and procedures are designed to provide the necessary safeguards for those entrusted to our care and prevent future abuse.

We encourage any survivors of sexual abuse by a Marianist to report it to civil authorities and/or our Pastoral Assistance Coordinator at: pastoralassistancecoordinator@sm-usa.org or 314-285-2322.

We recognize that strong policies, and even publishing this list, cannot undo the anguish inflicted on victims, survivors, and their families. We believe that this is an important step on a long journey towards healing.

Because Christ admonished his followers to do penance (Mt. 11; Lk 13) for our sins and the sins of others, the priests and brothers of the Marianist Province of the United States have undertaken special penances during this Lenten season, in accordance with the traditions of our faith. We are also praying fervently and invite you to join us as we invoke our patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her titles of Queen of Peace and Mother of Mercy.

I offer my most heartfelt apology for the transgressions committed by Marianist priests and brothers. We pray that those in need of healing will find peace, and that this evil will never again darken the light of God’s church.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Notes Concerning the List

The names on the following list are presented in five groups: the Marianist Province of the United States, followed by its four predecessor Provinces (Cincinnati, New York, Pacific, and St. Louis) which merged in 2002 to form the current Province. The scope of this listing is members of the Province ministering within the United States including its territories.

Members are considered to be part of the Province of the United States if they professed first vows after the formation of the new Province in 2002. If they professed first vows prior to the formation of the new province, they will be considered part of the predecessor province they were a member of prior to the new province formation or at the time of their death or departure if these occurred prior to 2003.

Each grouping of names is listed in alphabetical order. The year of first vows, year of ordination (if a priest), year of death (if a date of death was verified), and year of withdrawal/expulsion from the Society of Mary (if either applies) is provided for each name on the list. For those who have left the Society of Mary, we also indicate the year of death if we are able to ascertain it.

Where applicable, the list within each group may be divided between Marianists of the Province of the United States found to have sexually abused a minor through physical contact and other incidents that do not fit that precise definition.

The names and locations of all public ministries to which the member was assigned are arranged in alphabetical order. The known instance(s) of abuse did not necessarily occur in the context of his service at any or all of these ministries.

This listing is based on information available to the Province in June 2020. We recognize the likelihood that we will receive additional information and/or receive new allegations from previously unknown survivors, victims, or their families. This listing will be promptly reviewed and updated when new information is received.