ST. LOUIS - A new list put out by the Jesuits U.S. Central and Southern Province details accusations against 42 priests and authority figures in Catholic churches of sexual abuse towards minors.
The estimated time frame of abuse stretches as far back as the 1940's in some cases.
The list includes 17 priests with ties to St. Louis, with 12 of the 17 working at St. Louis University High School (SLUH) at some point in their careers.
You can view the entire list here.
The Jesuits gave these guidelines for inclusion on this list:
These men fall into one of three categories:
- Jesuits of this province against whom one or more credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult have been made;
- Jesuits from other provinces against whom there are credible claims resulting from their work while assigned to this province;
- Jesuits of this province whose names have been published on diocesan websites or the websites of other Jesuit provinces.
The Jesuits also make note that just because someone is named in this list, "It does not imply that the allegations are true and correct or that the accused individual has been found guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims."
Along with the list, the Jesuits released a statement, which you can read here.
SLUH President Alan Carruthers released a statement saying, " The history of clergy abuse is an outrage. As a father, an educator, a long-time coach and Catholic, my heart bleeds for those affected by sexual abuse at SLUH and nationwide, regardless of the time or era."
You can read the entire statement from SLUH here.
