Province Policies

Statement Concerning Sexual Misconduct with Minors

In 1988 the New Orleans Province adopted its "Policy on Misconduct Cases" regarding sexual misconduct with minors. According to this policy, the province will respond immediately to allegations of misconduct by any Jesuit of this province with a thorough investigation of such allegations, including an offer to meet personally and pastorally with any person complaining of such misconduct.

The sexual abuse of children and young people by members of the Society of Jesus is both illegal and seriously immoral. It inflicts devastating spiritual, emotional, and mental damage on survivors and their families and constitutes a profound violation of trust in pastoral, human, and professional relationships. The reality and magnitude of such harm demands from us a number of related responses:

1. We will reach out promptly and pastorally to those who have been abused and their families and to affected faith communities such as parishes or schools.
    
2. We will maintain written policies on appropriate conduct with minors, provided to all Jesuits, continue careful assessment of candidates, and conduct ongoing educational programs on prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse in the context of appropriate formation for all the members of this province.
    
3. Working in consultation with our lay review board, we will thoroughly investigate all accusations of child sexual abuse and remove from active ministry all those regarding whom a complaint of sexual abuse of a minor is admitted or established.
    
4. We will work with church authorities on education, prevention, and investigations, make all such reports to civil authorities as are required by law, and cooperate with respective civil authorities and investigations.
    
5. We will provide spiritual and psychological counseling, treatments, and appropriate custodial care and community support to those who have been removed from ministry after such investigation.
    
6. We will communicate these decisions appropriately to the members of the province, the faith community, and the public in a spirit of transparency and openness.
    
7. We will act in the above matters with due regard for the privacy and reputation of the individuals involved and their rights under civil and canon law.

As Pope John Paul II noted in his 2002 meeting with leaders of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy, the sexual abuse of young people is "by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society; it is also an appalling sin in the eyes of God." We apologize for any ways in which the Society of Jesus in this province has ever tolerated such evil and harm to vulnerable youth and resolve that such action will not occur again in the future.

Any charges of sexual abuse by members of the New Orleans Province should be brought to the attention of Rev. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J., who is Assistant to the Provincial and has been designated to handle all such cases.

Father Fitzgerald can be reached at 504.571.1055

710 Baronne Street - Suite B
New Orleans, LA 70113-1064