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Protecting Children

The USA East Province is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all children and vulnerable adults who interact with its members and are involved in its ministries. We have put in place clear standards of conduct for all members as well as procedures for investigating and reporting any allegations of abuse or misconduct to the appropriate civil authorities.

The province abides by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, developed in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In keeping with the recommendation of the U.S. Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the USA East Province has contracted with Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management, to independently accredit our province policies and our adherence to the Charter provisions. Praesidium provides consultation, risk management assessment, policy development, and training materials for use in preventing sexual misconduct and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. 

We recognize that abuse of any kind causes lasting pain and damage for the abused and their families as well as the larger Catholic and Jesuit communities. We continue to offer compassion, prayers, and support for all survivors of abuse and strive to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

How to Report an Allegation of Abuse

If you have been abused by a Jesuit, or if you believe that someone you know has been abused, you are urged to advise the USA East Province by contacting the province’s Pastoral Advocacy Coordinator, Ms. Kathy Maher, at 443-370-6357 or ueaadvocacy@jesuits.org. We also encourage you to reach out to the appropriate civil authorities in the location in which the abuse took place.

How We Respond to an Allegation of Abuse

The USA East Province seeks to protect the rights of all involved and to respond as pastorally as possible, as we strive toward justice, healing, and reconciliation. The Province follows a series of steps in responding to any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. Click here for an outline of these steps.

Jesuits Credibly Accused of Abuse

Revelations about sexual abuse of minors by priests have lead the People of God to rightly desire greater accountability from the leadership of the Church. To provide that kind of transparency, the former Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces, which now make up the USA East Province, released in 2018 and 2019 lists of Jesuits credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor. We view this disclosure as part of our commitment to preventing abuse and hope that it will contribute to the process of restoring trust.

Maryland Province List

USA Northeast Province List

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