Letter on Jesuits accused of sex abuse

Dear St. Francis Xavier (College) Church Parishioners and Friends,

It is with deep sadness I want to inform that this morning the Jesuits of the United States Central and Southern province released the names of those Jesuits credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults since 1955. The full list, a statement from the provincial Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J. and accompanying information can be found at the province website.

It grieves me to report there are three Jesuits with close ties to College Church listed. Two were assigned to College Church in the 1970s. They are Fr. Tony Short, SJ associate pastor from 1971-74, and Fr. Jack Campbell, SJ (deceased) associate pastor from 1970-76.  I also wish to inform you that Fr. Francis X. Cleary, SJ (deceased) is also included on the list. Fr. Cleary was never assigned to College Church, but was a frequent presider at liturgies in the 1970s and 1980s.

Like me, you may be shocked, saddened and angered by this news. There is no indication any of the accusations made against them stem from their ministry at the parish, or even during the time period of their assignment here. Please know that I am available if you desire to talk about this with me.

I am aware many of us have connections with various Jesuit institutions in the city. Each will be making known as well the credibly accused Jesuits who were missioned to their respective apostolates. The information can also be found on the province site above.

Anyone who has felt victimized by a Jesuit, or who seeks to report abuse by a Jesuit is urged to contact their local law enforcement agency. They are also encouraged to contact Carol Zarinelli Brescia, MSW, LCSW, who can respond pastorally on behalf of the Jesuits. She can be reached confidentially at (314) 915-7168, or UCSOutreach@jesuits.org.

There are no words Fr. Mercier or I can offer that can alleviate the pain and suffering of those who suffered at the hands of our fellow Jesuits. I know the victims, their family and friends continue to experience the unbearable trauma caused by members of the Society of Jesus. All we can do is be honest and open in regards to these sins and crimes, and dedicate ourselves to making sure such horrific acts are never perpetrated again.

The parish staff and I are committed to the care and protection of children at College Church. Every single person working with minors is required to complete the Safe Environment training authorized by the archdiocese of St. Louis. Any of the Jesuits working with children also completes the further training required by the province for all its members.

Next Sunday, December 16th following the 10:30am liturgy Fr. Mercier will be with us on the ballroom to discuss the province’s response to this crisis. There will also be opportunities for reflections and sharing in small groups. All are welcome to attend.

The Advent season calls us to consider darkness and light. St. John at the beginning of his Gospel states, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” We know all too well the power of darkness, but our faith calls us to hope in the light. May Emmanuel, God with us, come and not delay. May Christ dispel the darkness through the light of truth and justice.

Fr. Daniel P. White, S.J.

Letter on Jesuit Slave Holding

It has been said racism is the “Original Sin” of our country. The Catholic Church and the Society of Jesus have not been immune. The Jesuits of the Central and Southern Province have been researching and documenting the sad history of slave-holding among the early Jesuits in Missouri. Recently, we made public the initial findings of this project. I recommend highly that you visit the province archives website to gain a sense of the progress of this work.

Given the importance of the topic, I want to share some excerpts. The summary states,

Historians have long known that when Jesuits established missions in St. Louis, southern Louisiana and beyond, they relied on the labor of enslaved people to help those missions survive. This history is a source of shame for Jesuits today. We deeply regret Jesuits’ participation in this evil institution. No one today can reconcile these actions with the current teaching of the Church or with our commitments as Jesuits, but they are an undeniable part of our history. We are called now to an intentional response, one made in collaboration with those members of our community who continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery.

We are motivated by a desire to uncover the truth of people’s stories, to honor their memories and heal relationships. There is no clear path for us to follow. We hope this project will be a positive contribution to the national conversations on race, prejudice and social justice. It must begin with our own conversations with descendants of the people held in slavery by our predecessors. No one knows where these conversations may lead us. As successors of those who held others in slavery, this process will challenge us, but it is a necessary first step to effect change, to create a new way of being together. We look forward to beginning the journey with our brothers and sisters in God’s family.

I want to draw your attention as well to the best-documented story we have collected so far. Mrs. Matilda Tyler, her husband George, and her family were owned by the Jesuits. They were also parishioners of College Church.

Mrs. Tyler labored at Saint Louis College (now University) as a slave. According to Missouri law at the time, enslaved people were allowed to purchase their freedom, and Mrs. Tyler made arrangements with the Jesuits to purchase her own freedom, and later, that of her sons. An 1847 entry in the Province Treasury ledgers, under the heading “Matilda, colored servant” reads, “She is to have her freedom, if she pay $300 to be appropriated to St. Fr. Xavier Church.” The records indicate that she had indeed successfully purchased her freedom, and that of her youngest son, by Aug. 1, 1848, through four deposits totaling $300 (about $9,000 in 2018 dollars). The money went to St. Francis Xavier Church, where one year later, she would receive the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation.

The Tylers subsequently purchased the freedom of their four remaining sons. This simple statement of fact cannot convey the heroism behind their actions. Mr. Tyler was freed in 1847 and Mrs. Tyler the following year. She washed clothes for a living and he drove a wagon. We do not know how they managed to earn and save such a large sum of money, although their sons probably contributed. We do know that Mrs. Tyler continued to maintain an account with Saint Louis University as she made payments for the freedom of her sons.

It is shocking to know that not only Jesuits owned human beings but that her heroic efforts to liberate herself and family benefited College Church. And a year later she received Confirmation as a free woman and parishioner. I am horrified by the cruelty of Jesuit slave-holding, and in awe of the courage of Mrs. Tyler.

The long tradition of the Church tells us reconciliation can only take place when the truth is acknowledged and sinfulness brought to light. This on-going work of the Province is intended to do just that. The life of Mrs. Matilda Tyler reminds us this is part of our legacy at St. Francis Xavier.

I ask that you reflect, pray and discuss what this means for our parish community. As the province states, this is a conversation without a known destination. Clearly, we are called join this effort. I ask that you keep this important work in your prayers, and consider how God is calling us as a faith community.

Examen on Clergy Abuse

The recent revelations regarding sexual abuse has revealed a sickness within the Church. The Body of Christ has been deeply wounded. A great deal has been written in response to the scandal. I encourage you to read the statements from Church leadership including Pope Francis, Archbishop Carlson, and Fr. Ron Mercier provincial of the Central & Southern province Jesuits.

I want to suggest a parish-wide spiritual exercise that can help us discern how we can respond as God’s people. Many of us already practice the Examen prayer made popular by St. Ignatius Loyola. An Examen made in light of recent events is a good way to understand how the Spirit is at work within us, and what is appropriate response.

We are people of faith. That means we believe that God is present even in the worst of circumstances. Clearly the Suffering Christ walks with the victims and calls us to deeper solidarity with them. The anger and outrage that we feel can be a powerful stimulus to grow in discipleship. It can help us to answer the question, “What kind of Church do we want to be?”

Ask for the grace to know what is going on inside of you. Dive deep into the emotions and feelings that touch your heart. Why do I feel this way? What has been my personal response? Is there a way to channel our anger in a constructive fashion? We should consider all levels of our being: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, etc. Try to get beyond surface reactions in order to reflect in depth.

It is important to ask if my reaction to the scandal is authentically of God. In other words, does it move me to greater faith, hope and love? Does it increase my desire to align myself closer to Christ in those who have suffered? Am I seeking to deepen my love of God and my neighbor? Anger can liberate or enslave us. Seek to identify in what direction you feel inclined.

Making an Examen from a place of gratitude is essential. We are not, of course, grateful for what has taken place. That would be obscene. Instead, express gratitude for the powerful emotions stirred up by the Holy Spirit. You are feeling the sorrow Jesus felt at the death of his friend Lazarus, and the righteous anger he felt at the Temple being made a den of thieves. Give thanks for the desire to address a great injustice.

The Examen always propels us forward. Seek to leave behind what hinders and embrace that which makes us more Christ-like. What are the gifts we need? What particular graces do we seek from our generous God? Beg for the Holy Spirit so we may not grow slack or weary in working to re-imagine our Church.

Finally, I ask that you compile the fruits of your Examen. Take notes or document them in some fashion. There will be an opportunity in the near future for us as a community to share these graces with one another. If you like, you may email reflections to me as well. Thank you.