Midwest Jesuits Province releases names of 65 accused of sexually abusing minors

CHICAGO (IL)
WLS TV

December 17, 2018

By Ross Weidner

The Chicago-based Roman Catholic Jesuit Midwest Province released the names of 65 accused Jesuits who they say have had an “established allegation of sexual abuse of a minor” since 1955. Forty-three of the names on the list are dead.

Since 1955, Jesuit officials say approximately 4000 Jesuits have served the province which is comprised of most of northern and eastern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Midwest Province currently has 510 Jesuit members.

Fr. M. Lawrence Reuter is the only named priest listed as being from Chicago who is still alive. Reuter was President of Loyola Academy in Wilmette from 1975 to 1990. The Midwest Jesuit Province’s list says that Reuter’s “established allegations of sexual abuse of a minor” took place from 1986-1988. He also worked at Loyola University until 2002 and Loyola University Medical Center until 2010 when he was removed from active ministry.

Fr. Brian G. Paulson, SJ released a letter with the list today writing that he is “confident that God’s Spirit is leading us forward into the light.”

“As we look back at our history, the failures of the Society of Jesus and the Church to protect those entrusted to its care fill our hearts with outrage, sorrow and shame,” Fr. Paulson wrote.

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