Br. Paul West

On 7/29/2018 the Jackson Diocese announced a credible allegation that West had sexually abused a minor while working at St. Francis of Assisi in Greenwood, where he was teacher and principal 6/1993-11/1998. His name was included on the Diocese’s list 3/19/2019. Abuse was reported in 1998 by a boy and by his brother and cousin in 2018. The three reported that West sexually abused them beginning when they were 9- and 10-year old St. Francis School students in the mid- to late- 1990s. The abuse reportedly included rapes and beatings. One of the three also alleged abuse by Bro. Donald Lucas, OFM. After the report to church and police in 1998, West was sent for a psych evaluation. He taught 4th and 5th grades at St. John’s in Little Chute, WI 1999-2010. He left the order in 2002. The Franciscans settled with two accusers for $15K. The alleged victims filed a federal suit in 11/2019 claiming the order pressured them into a small settlement requiring their silence. West was indicted in 8/2020 in MS. He pleaded not guilty. He was charged also in WI. A lawsuit filed by a victim in 6/2021 claims racial discrimination. West was convicted 4/13/2022 and sentenced to 30 years on one count and an additional 15 years on a second count. Included as of 1/2024 on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province Franciscans list of credibly accused. (West was a member of the Assumption Province.) The MS Supreme Court denied an appeal by West in 1/2024.