Order names 15 deceased Jesuits subject to child abuse complaints

Eight of the 15 names had already been the subject of complaints during their lifetime, with the other seven becoming the subject of complaints following their deaths. File picture

The Jesuit Order has published the names of a further 15 deceased Jesuits who have been credibly accused of child abuse over the last 70 years.

All allegations have been reported to the gardaí.

Eight of the 15 names had already been the subject of complaints during their lifetime, with the other seven becoming the subject of complaints following their deaths.

The Order began an investigation in the wake of allegations made in 2021, following the public naming of Joseph Marmion SJ as a Jesuit who had perpetrated child abuse.

The 15 additional names are:

• Fr Rupert Coyle (1896-1978) 
• Fr Shaun Curran 1924 – 1999) 
• Fr Brendan Kearney (1935 – 2014) 
• Fr John T Kelly (1906 – 1977)
• Fr Patrick Kelly (1920 – 2012) 
• Fr Kevin Laheen (1919 – 2019) 
• Fr Henry (Harry) Lawlor (1911-1989) 
• Fr John A (Jack) Leonard (1912 – 1992) 
• Fr Finbarr Lynch (1933 – 2022) 
• Fr Michael McGrath (1910 – 1989) 
• Fr Oliver Joseph O’Brien (1920 – 1994) 
• Br Edward O’Sullivan (1920 – 1996) 
• Fr Diarmuid Ó Péicín (1916 – 2008) 
• Br Douglas A Pill (1918 –2003) 
• Fr James Stephenson (1906 – 1979)

It follows an investigation into the files of 37 deceased Jesuit priests or brothers who had been the subject of child sexual abuse complaints over those decades.

In a publication on Wednesday, the Order acknowledged and apologised for failings in their response to allegations.

It wrote: "Our approach was inward-looking, prioritising the interests of the Order. In addition, inexplicably we often perceived the abuse from the perspective of moral failure as distinct from a criminal act. 

These misguided considerations allowed individual Jesuits who had offended against children to avoid accountability for their crimes.

"The vital needs of children for support and acknowledgement at the time of their abuse disclosures, and the need for inclusion of their families, were either not considered at all or were disregarded. Many of the adults who came forward with accounts of their childhood abuse experience did not receive the acceptance and compassion they deserved.

"The right of the Jesuit accused to his good name took precedence over the consideration of the wellbeing of children, both in terms of protection and outreach.

"Through allowing these Jesuits to continue in ministry we implicitly communicated the message that they were priests in good standing, with the result that people who had suffered abuse would have been reluctant to come forward out of the continuing fear of not being believed."

To date, in the region of 160 people have contacted the Jesuits directly with allegations of abuse by members of the congregation.

Fr Shane Daly said: “Our expression of sorrow and regret for the suffering and pain inflicted on each survivor is real. We are truly shamed that so many innocent young people suffered heinous abuse at the hands of Jesuits who were supposed to be serving them and caring for them."

It follows the public naming in 2021 of Fr Joseph Marmion as a child abuser. Picture: RTÉ

In the wake of the 2021 complaint, an Independent Working Group was set up by the Jesuit Order.

It includes former Supreme Court judge John MacMenamin, as well as Dr Rosaleen McElvaney, principal psychotherapist in the Alders Unit at Children’s Health Ireland, Connolly Hospital and Lecturer in Psychology at DCU, and Paul Harrison, Independent Children’s Services and Social Work Adviser and formerly director of Policy and Strategy in the Child and Family Agency.

They examined files of 37 deceased Jesuits who are subject to child sexual abuse complaints and recommended the publication of those names listed today.