In response to a grand jury report on clergy abuse in Pennsylvania (released on August 14, 2018), the University of Scranton announced that it would re-name three buildings on campus that were previously named for bishops cited in the report. The bishops’ honorary degrees will also be rescinded; click here to learn more.
In addition to Scranton, several Jesuit institutions have also issued statements from their presidents in response to the report. Click on the names to read them online: Canisius University, College of the Holy Cross, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Le Moyne College, Loyola Marymount University, Loyola University Chicago, Saint Joseph’s University and Seattle University. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University has a number of resources available; visit scu.edu/ethics to learn more.
On August 24, Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, issued a letter on the abuse crisis, referring to the August 20th letter issued by Pope Francis. Visit jesuits.org to read Fr. Sosa’s letter online. Additional letters and statements have been issued by the provincials of the five Jesuit provinces in the United States (USA Midwest, USA West, USA Northeast, Maryland and USA Central and Southern) and the president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU).
On September 4, former Marquette University president, Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., issued a letter to the University’s president and board of directors regarding the removal of his name from a newly-dedicated residence hall on campus. Click here to learn more from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
We are continuously updating this page. Please send any additional statements to AJCU’s director of communications, Deanna Howes Spiro: dhowes@ajcunet.edu.