Statement for Crescent College Comprehensive re the naming of deceased Jesuits regarding child sexual abuse complaints:
Today, Wednesday February 12th 2025, the Jesuit Order has placed in the public domain the names of fourteen deceased Jesuits as recommended by an Independent Working Group established by the Order, which examined the files of deceased Jesuits against whom complaints of child sexual abuse had been made. The Order has also taken the decision to name publicly one further Jesuit about whom additional information has become available.
The Order has set up a special page on their province website where all the documents concerning this naming process can be accessed. This includes the report of the Independent Working Group, information on redress and other services offered by the Jesuit Order, and the full list of the fifteen named Jesuits, with short biographies, and a statement of accountability. Three Jesuits have already been named by the Order including Joseph Marmion SJ, who has allegations against him regarding his time in Crescent College Limerick. One of those named today, Fr James Stephenson SJ, has complaints against him relating to his time as a teacher in Sacred Heart College Limerick, in the 1950’s. Click here to access the Jesuit documents page: https://jesuit.ie/naming-of-deceased-jesuits-regarding-child-sexual-abuse-complaints/
To any student who ever suffered abuse in those schools we apologise sincerely. And our hearts go out to those people who as children, were sexually abused by the Jesuits named today. Along with our other Jesuit schools, we quote the words of Jesuit Provincial Fr Shane Daly in his latest statement:
“We are truly ashamed that innocent young people were abused by those Jesuits who were supposed to be serving them and caring for them. To learn that much of their abuse could have been avoided, had timely and necessary action been taken by those to whom the abuse was made known, must surely compound the suffering of those who were abused. We put the good name of the institution before their suffering and for this we are truly sorry. But words of sorrow will mean little if they are not accompanied by effective action such as the public naming we have done today, which is part of an ongoing process. Again, I want to invite any person who was harmed by any Jesuit to consider speaking with us. We really want to hear from you.”
The Jesuit Order says it is engaged in an ongoing process of acknowledging the child abuse perpetrated by some of its members over the past 70 years. They say the process is about accountability, transparency and atonement. And that in future they will make public the names of other deceased Jesuits who are the subject of child sexual abuse complaint if further information is received that fulfils the criteria identified by the Independent Working Group.
Anyone with concerns or complaints regarding the Jesuits now named or regarding another Jesuit can contact the Order’s Child Safeguarding Office and/or the relevant authorities. The Jesuit Order has also set up a special helpline which operates from 8am until 8pm daily including weekends.
Contact details:
Email: safeguarding@jesuit.ie
Helpline mobile number: 083 087 4254
Jesuit Provincialate Reception : 01 4987333
Crescent College Comprehensive fully complies with the child safeguarding protocols as directed by the Department of Education 2023.