Former Loyola Academy Priests On List Of Jesuits Accused Of Abuse

CHICAGO — Six former priests who have been stationed at Loyola Academy are among 65 accused Jesuits who have faced credible allegations they sexual abused children, according to a list released Monday. All but one of the 18 Chicago area Jesuits included – former Loyola Academy President M. Lawrence "Larry" Reuter – are now dead.

Father Brian Paulson, leader of the Chicago-based Roman Catholic Jesuit Midwest Province, apologized to their victims for the harm and suffering caused by the abusive priests.

"We are painfully aware that in earlier decades, some Midwest Jesuits were not removed from ministry quickly enough once and allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was established," Paulson wrote. "For our failures to act, which avoided the demands of justice and failed to protect the people we serve, we are deeply sorrowful. We have learned from these tragic failures."

Paulson said the list of Jesuits with "established allegations of sexual abuse of a minor," where facts and circumstances lead to a "reasonable certainty that the accusation is true," will continue to be updated.

Reuter was the longest-serving president in Loyola Academy history, serving from 1975 to 1990. After leaving Loyola Academy, Reuter worked at Loyola University from 1990 to 2002 and Loyola University Medical Center from 2002 until he was removed from active ministry in 2010, the Chicago Tribune reported at the time.

The abuse occurred between 1986 and 1988, according to the Jesuit province. Reuter reportedly admitted having an "inappropriate relationship" with an 18-year-old student. The former student entered into a settlement with the organization, Jesuit officials "sought reconciliation" with him, the Tribune reported, and Reuter was allowed to continue his ministry.

"We are heartbroken by this violation of trust by a former member of our community," Loyola Academy President Pat McGrath said at the time.

After Reuter was removed from active service, a 40-year-old former Colorado man and former Loyola Academy student said Reuter abused him after became his friend and mentor.

Donald McGuire, who was accused of abuse on multiple instances at Loyola Academy in the 1950s and 1960s, at Loyola University in 1976, in Barrington in the 1980s, in Evanston from 1988 to 2002 and Chicago from 2002 to 2005. The range of McGuire's abuse spanned multiple incidents over multiple years and locations, according to the list. He was convicted in 2006, defrocked in 2008 and died in federal prison in January 2017.

Other priests associated with Loyola include Ignatius Burril, who died at age 80 in 1987 after he was accused of abuse in 1977, Donald O'Shaughnessy, who died at 89 in 2013 and was accused of abuse in the 1970s, Wilton Skiffington, who was accused of abusing minors in the 1960s after his death at 85 in 1988 and Gerald Street, who died in 1996 at age 58 and was also accused of abuse at Loyola in the 1960s.

Loyola Academy only admitted male students until it merged in 1994 with Saint Louise de Marillac High School of Northfield.

School officials issued a statement urging anyone abused while at the high school to report it to authorities regardless of when it occurred. The school said it supports the release of lists of accused priests and stands with survivors of abuse.

"Our teachers, counselors, coaches, campus ministers and staff members are committed to creating a supportive and loving community where our students feel safe and thrive," McGrath said.

Paulson said an additional review of the organizations records would be conducted next year by the Chicago-based investigative consultants Hillard Heinze.

“Many have suffered in silence for decades. Our concern and prayers are with the victim-survivors and we hope and pray that this step will strengthen the trust of those we serve,” Paulson said in his Dec. 17 letter.

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