TO ALL SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL OR PHYSICAL ABUSE
BY JESUIT PRIESTS, BROTHERS, OR VOLUNTEERS

A bankruptcy court has set deadlines for abuse survivors to submit claims, and you must act soon to protect your rights.

Classroom

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Jesuit priests and brothers around the Northwest physically and sexually abused children and teens at Jesuit-run schools and missions. The abuse perpetrated on victims ranged from inappropriate touching to rape.

The perpetrators of the abuse worked for the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, a religious order based in Portland, Oregon. The Province operated schools, missions, and churches throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska for decades, going back to the 1940's. Many of these schools, missions, and churches were on Indian reservations, and many of the victims were Native Americans. However, the race, age, and gender of the victims varied greatly.

The number of children and teens abused is estimated to be in the hundreds, perhaps thousands, over several decades. The abuse perpetrated by these Jesuits was pervasive and damaged many lives. The evidence revealed to date indicates that the Province failed to monitor sexual perpetrators and in some cases knowingly transferred the perpetrators to other locations, allowing them to abuse again.

If you are a victim of abuse at a Jesuit institution, please contact us.

Jesuit Missions - Montana/Washington/Idaho/Oregon Reservations:

Montana State: excluding the Rocky Boy Reservation

Flathead Reservation

  • St. Ignatius Mission School (1854-1962)
  • St. John Berchman Mission (1889-Present)
  • Sacred Heart Mission, Ronan, Mt.(1911-Present)
  • Immaculate Conception Mission (1910-Present)
  • St. Joseph Mission (1940-Present)
  • Sacred Heart Mission, Arlee, Mt. (1941-Present)
  • Salish, Kootenai, Pend d'Oreille Tribes; [Fr. Freddy/Fr. Ferretti]

Crow Reservation

  • St. Charles Mission (1890-Present)
  • St. Francis Xavier Mission (1887-Present)

Northern Cheyenne

  • St. Labre School; Ashland, Mt. (1884-Present) located on the Cheyenne reservation

Blackfeet Reservation

  • St. Anne Mission, Heart Butte, Mt.
  • St. Mary Church at Holy Family Mission, Two Medicine River, Mt.
  • Church of the Little Flower (1904-Present)
  • Little Badger (1954-1982)

Ft. Belknap Reservation

  • St. Paul Mission, Hays, Mt.
  • Sacred Heart Church at the Agency
  • St. Thomas Church, Lodgepole, Mt.
  • St. Joseph Church, Zortman, Mt.
  • Gros Ventre/Assiniboine Tribes.

Peck Reservation

  • Our Lady of Lourdes, Poplar Mt (St. Ursula) Mission (1906-1973?)
  • Immaculate Conception Mission Wolf Point, Mt (1926-1973)
  • Yanktonai Sioux, Assiniboine Tribes.

EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE: excluding Colville and Yakama Nations.

Spokane Reservation

  • Sacred Heart Mission in Wellpinit, WA
  • St. Phillip Benizi Church in Ford, WA
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West End, WA

Kalispel Reservation

  • Lady of Sorrow Church
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church

OREGON:

Excluding Warm Springs, Siletz, Grande Ronde, Coquille, Klamath, Coos-Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Nations, Cow Creek Bands, Clatsop-Nehalem, and Piute Bands.

Umatilla Reservation

  • St. Andrews Mission in Pendleton, Ore; which also operated a mission school until 1943, when it closed due to lack of funding.

IDAHO: excluding Nez Perce, Shoshone, Bannock, and Kalispell-Kootenai Tribe's.

Coeur d'Alene Reservation

  • DeSmet, Idaho; Sacred Heart Mission and school. [Fr. Freddy/Fr. Ferretti]

Prepared by: Ken Bear Chief, April 2, 2009 [?]


Mission School, 1910

Coming forward with your story of abuse is difficult and takes courage, but you are not alone. Many people who were victimized at Jesuit institutions have told their stories and made the perpetrators, and the institution that allowed the abuse to occur, accountable for their wrongful actions. While some of the survivors of abuse have reached a settlement with the Province, it is estimated that many more survivors have yet to come forward.

Praying at St. Marys

Keep in mind that survivors of abuse at the hands of Jesuits must come forward quickly to preserve their claim. If you or someone you know was a victim of abuse by a priest, brother, volunteer, or employee of a Jesuit institution, please call us and make your voice heard. Holding the Province accountable for the abuse that occurred at its schools and missions helps stop the cycle of abuse against children. By standing together, you can help other victims and yourself.

Abuse survivors often feel isolated and alone with the secret of abuse. We are here to listen and help you find a voice to speak out against what happened and begin the healing process. By standing together, the survivors of abuse can make a difference. You can speak to us in confidence and with the assurance that we will listen and assess your claim. Because time is running out for legal action, please contact us immediately. We are here to help.