Statement for Coláiste Iognáid re the naming of deceased Jesuits regarding child sexual abuse complaints:
Today, Wednesday 12 February 2025, the Jesuit Order has made public 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 a fifteenth Jesuit about whom additional information has become available.
One of those named is deceased Jesuit, Fr Michael McGrath (1910 -1989) who has two complaints against him relating to his Galway ministry in Coláiste Iognáid and Our Lady’s Boys’ Club.
It is painful to read that any person associated with Coláiste Iognáid or Our Lady’s Boys’ Club was abused. We are truly sorry that this would happen to any child.
The Order says it has set up a special page on their province website where all the documents concerning this naming process can be accessed. This includes the full list of the fifteen named Jesuits, with short biographies, and a statement of accountability. Information on the Independent Working Group can be accessed along with their report. Also available is background information regarding the naming process, and details of the services offered to survivors by the Order, such as counselling and redress. Click here to access this page: https://jesuit.ie/naming-of-deceased-jesuits-regarding-child-sexual-abuse-complaints/
We want to quote the Irish Jesuit Provincial and former principal of our school, Fr Shane Daly SJ, who says in his statement today,
“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. Our expression of sorrow and regret for the suffering and pain inflicted on children who suffered abuse is real. But it will mean little if it is 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.”
Fr Daly goes on to say that the Jesuit Order is involved in a process of acknowledging child abuse perpetrated by Jesuits over the past 70 years and that the Jesuits are reckoning with how they responded to that abuse. He says the process is one of accountability, transparency and making amends.
The Jesuit Order says it will in future 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 for placing names in the public domain.
Anyone with concerns or complaints regarding the Jesuits now named or any other 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
Jesuit Provincialate Reception: 00 353 1 4987339
Helpline mobile number: 083 087 4254
Coláiste Iognáid implements in full all Department of Education safeguarding policies. The well-being and safety of our students is paramount.