Former SJJ faculty member accused of sexual abuse in 1999-2000
Former SJJ faculty member accused of sexual abuse in 1999-2000 WTVG
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Former Priest at St. John’s Jesuit High School Added to List of Those with Established Allegations of Sexual Abuse
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Introduction
A former priest at St. John’s Jesuit High School has been added to a list of those with established allegations of sexual abuse toward minors. Father Francis Canfield, who served as a faculty member at St. John’s from 1990 to 2005, passed away in May of 2023.
Allegations and Investigation
According to a statement from SJJ, a former student reported alleged sexual abuse by Father Canfield during the 1999-2000 school year to the Church in 2002. The claim was investigated by the Church and determined to be “established”. The full list of individuals with established allegations of sexual abuse can be found here.
Statement from School Leadership
St. John’s Jesuit High School has been notified by the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus that Fr. Francis E. Canfield, SJ has been placed on the public list of Jesuits with an established allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. An established allegation is based on the facts and circumstances of each case wherein there is a reasonable certainty that the sexual abuse of a minor occurred. This leads to a Jesuit’s permanent removal from public ministry. The names on the Midwest Province’s list are based on a process of consultation and do not represent a legal judgement. The Jesuit public list is available at www.midwestjesuits.org.
Investigation Process
In 2022, a former student of St. John’s Jesuit came forward to the Catholic Church with an allegation of sexual abuse against Fr. Francis Canfield. The appropriate civil authorities were notified during the investigation, but no criminal charges were filed. St. John’s Jesuit fully cooperated with authorities and engaged an independent firm to investigate the allegation. After receiving the completed independent investigation report and consulting with the Province’s Review Board, the Provincial of the Midwest Province determined the allegation to be “established”.
Reporting and Contact Information
Anyone who has been a victim of abuse by an employee or member of staff while at St. John’s Jesuit is encouraged to report the incident to the Toledo Diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator at (419) 244-6711, the St. John’s Jesuit President’s Office, or to local law enforcement. If the abuse involved a Jesuit priest, contact Ms. Marjorie O’Dea, Director of the Office of Safe Environment, for the Midwest Province of Jesuits at 773-975-6876 or UMISafeMinistry@Jesuits.org. For inquiries regarding Fr. Canfield, please contact Quentin Maguire, Director of Communications for the Midwest Province of Jesuits, at qmaguire@jesuits.org.
Commitment to Safety
St. John’s Jesuit is committed to the highest standards of safety for students and employees. All employees, including priests, faculty, staff, and coaches, undergo FBI and BCI background checks, as well as Protecting Youth and Vulnerable Adults safety training. The school has a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate behavior and abuse, and strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Indicator: The article discusses allegations of sexual abuse towards minors, highlighting the issue of violence against girls and boys.
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
- Indicator: The article mentions allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, indicating the presence of violence and exploitation towards children.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | The article discusses allegations of sexual abuse towards minors, highlighting the issue of violence against girls and boys. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | The article mentions allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, indicating the presence of violence and exploitation towards children. |
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Source: 13abc.com
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