The Jesuits West Province has both a zero-tolerance policy for credible allegations made against a Jesuit involving a minor or a vulnerable adult and stringent procedures to ensure the safety of minors or vulnerable adults.
The results of the Province’s investigation are presented to an independent, interdisciplinary Province Review Board, comprised of lay professionals from the fields of psychology, law enforcement and human resources, which evaluates findings to determine if a claim is credible. The Province Review Board subsequently makes a recommendation to the Provincial of Jesuits West, who makes the final determination about the credibility of a claim.
In December of 2018, the Province released the names of priests and brothers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. We did so because the People of God demand and deserve transparency and because we hope that this act of accountability would help victims and their families in the healing process. If additional members of the Jesuits West Province are found to have a credible allegation of abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, those names will be added to the list.
Thankfully, in the years since shocking cases of clergy sexual abuse were first brought to light, there has been significant reform in how the Church and religious orders like the Jesuits handle allegations of sexual abuse. The majority of the cases related to the names on the list date back decades. While even one case is abhorrent, it is consoling to know that the safeguards we have put in place are helping to create safe environments for everyone.
The Jesuits and employees of the Jesuits West Province are committed to protecting and promoting the well-being of all individuals. Since 2003, the Province has engaged Praesidium, an independent accrediting agency that audits and offers abuse prevention programs to religious orders in the United States. This program meets the standards of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men requiring all members in public ministry to complete educational programs on understanding and preventing sexual abuse and creating safe environments.
Consistent with the principles and directives articulated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Province is committed to:
Claims of abuse are received by Jesuits West’s Advocacy Coordinator, Griselda Cervantez. Ms. Cervantez has more than two decades of experience working with survivors of sexual assault. For the last dozen years, she has served as the Victim Assistance Coordinator & Prevention Advocate for the Diocese of San Jose. She earned her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University and her master’s in social work from San Jose State University.
Ms. Cervantez makes mandated reports to law enforcement when the allegation involves a minor or vulnerable adult, ensures that complaints are investigated and accompanies victims who come forward.
If you believe that you or someone you know has been abused by a Jesuit, please contact Griselda Cervantez, at 408-893-8398 or gcervantez@jesuits.org.
If you or anyone you know has felt victimized by a Jesuit at any time, please contact Griselda Cervantez, advocacy coordinator for Jesuits West, at 408-893-8398 or gcervantez@jesuits.org, and appropriate law enforcement and child-protective agencies.
La Provincia anima a cualquier persona que se haya sentido victimizada por un jesuita comunicarse con Griselda Cervantez, Coordinadora de Apoyo para la Provincia Jesuita del Oeste, al 408-893-8398 o gcervantez@jesuits.org, y también con las autoridades apropiadas y agencias de protección infantil.
December 7, 2018
Dear Friends in the Lord:
Today, Jesuits West Province releases the names of priests and brothers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. We do so because the People of God demand and deserve transparency. We do so because we hope that this act of accountability will help victims and their families in the healing process. We do so because while the vast majority of Jesuits of our province are not on this list, it is important that parents not wonder whether their children are safe in a church, in a school or in any other setting where a Jesuit may be present.
On behalf of the Society of Jesus, I apologize to the victims and families who put their trust in a Jesuit, only to have that trust so profoundly betrayed. It is inconceivable that someone entrusted with the pastoral care of a child could be capable of something so harmful. Yet, tragically, this is a part of our Jesuit history, a legacy we cannot ignore.
Thankfully, sixteen years after shocking cases of clergy sexual abuse were brought to light in Boston in 2002, there has been significant reform in how the Church and religious orders like ours handle allegations of sexual abuse. Jesuits West has both a zero-tolerance policy for credible allegations made against a Jesuit involving a minor or a vulnerable adult and stringent procedures to ensure the safety of minors. No Jesuit who has a credible allegation of sexually abusing a minor is allowed to remain in public ministry. The majority of the cases related to the names that we release today date back decades. While even one case is abhorrent, it is consoling to know that the safeguards we have put in place are helping to create safe environments for everyone.
While we attempted to be as thorough and accurate as possible in compiling the list, Jesuits West will undergo a review of our files in the spring of 2019 to be conducted by former FBI Executive Assistant Director, Dr. Kathleen McChesney, of Kinsale Management Consulting. If additional cases of Jesuits with credible allegations of abuse are identified, we will release those names as well.
I encourage anyone who has felt victimized by a Jesuit to contact both Griselda Cervantez, Advocacy Coordinator for Jesuits West, at 408-893-8398, and appropriate law enforcement and child-protective agencies.
St. Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits, said that love is shown more in deeds than in words. In releasing names of those credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor, we ask for God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of the People of God. We pray for victims and pray for our Church, remembering that God’s love is a powerful, transformative force for good.
In Christ,
Fr. Scott Santarosa, SJ
Provincial
