PORTLAND, Ore. (NMB) – The Jesuits West Province, a Catholic order of priests, released a list of Jesuits with credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult dating back to 1950, including nineteen who served along the Hi-Line.
All of the priests are now deceased and many claims were received after the accused priest had died. Since an investigation was unable to be performed in those cases, their names are included in the list based upon the fact that an accusation was reported.
These Jesuits once staffed parishes in Havre, Hays, Harlem, and Big Sandy from the 1910s through the 1990s. About fifteen of the accused priests were assigned to St. Paul’s Mission in Hays, eight at St. Jude’s Church in Havre, four at St. Thomas’ Church in Harlem, and one was assigned to St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Big Sandy.
The Jesuits West Province encourages anyone who has felt victimized by a Jesuit to contact their Advocacy Coordinator at 408-893-8398 and the appropriate law enforcement and child-protective agencies.
