Br. Edward C. Courtney

Order: CFC
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of Seattle WA

Accused of abuse of at least 55 boys. Order knew in 1960s about abuse yet allowed Courtney to teach in IL, MI, NV, NY and WA. Removed from Order in 1983. Worked in public schools in WA until accusations surfaced. Pleaded guilty 1988 in WA to indecent liberties; got two-years’ probation. Five plaintiffs settled for $1.9M in 2/2007. Suit filed 2006 for abuse in 1980 at St. Alphonsus School in Seattle and at O’Dea; settled for $1.1M in Fall 2007. Suits filed in 3/2009, 11/22/2011 (7 claims) and 3/2013 (15 claims). Order agreed to $16.5M settlement with 400 plaintiffs for abuse by multiple order brothers in 5/2013. Allegations against Courtney by 52 of 400 claimants. Listed by the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers in 2014 as accused by at least two persons in claims settled in bankruptcy proceedings. On 6/25/2014, archdiocese announced $12.1M settlement of 30 claims against order, Archdiocese, Briscoe School and Seattle’s Bishop O’Dea High School. Eleven were claims of abuse by Courtney. Known in 2/2016 to have been living in HI. Included on the Seattle Archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016. Subject of settlement(s) with the Chicago Archdiocese in 2/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.


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