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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2011
Statement from the Society of Jesus Regarding
Fr. Louis Bonacci, S.J.
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus
is issuing the following update to all dioceses and institutions where Louis A.
Bonacci, S.J. worked. This notice is for distribution within those dioceses and
institutions and to others who may have had contact with Fr. Lou
Bonacci.
In April 2011,
the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus received an allegation against Fr.
Louis Bonacci, S.J. dating from the period 1978-1982 that involved the improper
touching of a minor in a family home. There had been no prior allegations
against Fr. Bonacci.
Immediately upon receiving the allegation, the
Society of Jesus reported it to the civil authorities; the Diocese of Scranton,
where Fr. Bonacci was in ministry; and the Province Review Board. The Province
leadership removed the priest from all ministry while the allegation was
investigated.
The civil
authorities in Maryland indicated they would not begin an investigation until
the now-adult victim contacted them directly. However, the Province Review Board
did undertake its own review. During this process, an allegation by a second
individual was received by an investigator hired by the Review Board. This
second allegation was reported to the civil authorities. The Province is
committed to cooperating fully with the authorities during any
investigation.
The Province is
deeply concerned for those who have been harmed, and has reached out to both
individuals who have come forward; they have been offered an apology and
counseling, and have been encouraged to contact the civil
authorities.
Following the
recommendation of the Province Review Board, the provincial of the Maryland
Province, Rev. James Shea, S.J., permanently removed Fr. Bonacci from all
ministry. Anyone who has additional information involving Fr. Bonacci or who
suspects abuse by any clergy or employee of the Jesuits is asked to contact
local civil authorities, and Maureen Locher, special case coordinator for the
Maryland Province, at 443-921-1326. Information on reporting and the Jesuits’
commitment to child protection is online at http://www.mdsj.org/children.html
Today, Fr. Bonacci resides in a
monitored residence with his Jesuit community.
Fr. Bonacci entered the Jesuits in 1963 and was
ordained in 1973. His ministerial assignments follow:
1968-1970: Teacher, St. Joseph Preparatory School,
Philadelphia, PA
1970-1973:
Student, Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, MA
1973-1974: Intern, Jesuit Center for Spiritual
Growth, Wernersville, PA
1974-1978: Student, Pontifical Gregorian
University, Rome
1978-1982:
Assistant director of campus ministry, Loyola College, Baltimore,
MD
1982-1988: Catholic campus
minister, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
1988-1994: Sabbatical and graduate studies at the
International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton, Dayton,
OH
1994-1999: Campus minister,
Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
1999-2003: Campus minister and adjunct
professor of theology, Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling,
WV
2003-2004: Campus
minister, adjunct professor of theology and editor of Shepherds of Christ
newsletter, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
2004: Adjunct professor of theology, Misericordia
University, Dallas, PA
2005-2011: Coordinator of spiritual direction for
priests and deacons, Diocese of Scranton, Scranton, PA
If you know someone who has been abused at any
time by an agent of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (priest. deacon, employee or
volunteer), the Archdiocese urges you to contact Sister Mary Garke, the Victim’s
Assistance Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, at 513-421-3131 or
1-800-686-2724 as well as the victim’s secular authorities.
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