MICHIGAN
Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette
(11/15/2013)
Officials of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette have deemed credible a recent allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against a deceased religious order priest from Belgium.
Fr. Bernard “Ben” Van der Schueren, S.J.The allegation was lodged against Father Bernard (“Fr. Ben”) Van der Schueren, S.J., a priest of the Society of Jesus, commonly called the Jesuits. The complaint deals with an incident involving a boy that happened during July of 1989 when Fr. Van der Schueren filled in for a diocesan priest at St. Michael Parish in Marquette. Fr. Van der Schueren died in 2009 at the age of 86.
As soon as the allegation was received, diocesan officials immediately began following the Diocese of Marquette’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct in Ministry. In keeping with that policy, the complaint was referred to Jesuit leadership, in this case, the Chicago-Detroit Province.
In addition, the Office of the Administrator of the Diocese of Marquette informed the Diocesan Review Board for the Protection of Children and Young People of the complaint, and the diocesan attorney reported the allegation to the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office.
After the complaint was lodged, the Jesuits of the Chicago-Detroit Province initiated their safeguarding procedures for sexual abuse of minors in pastoral ministries and contacted the Flemish Jesuits in Belgium. The Flemish provincial superior has committed himself to full cooperation with the investigation. The Chicago-Detroit Province Jesuits have taken charge of dealing with the accusations. They have contacted the victim/survivor of the abuse and have offered counseling and spiritual assistance.
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