Sexual abuse allegations against deceased former Saint Ignatius chaplain deemed to be credible, school president says
Saint Ignatius confirms abuse allegation against former chaplain WKYC.com
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The Rev. Frank Canfield Accused of Sexual Abuse
The Rev. Frank Canfield, a Jesuit priest who died in 2023, is said to have abused a student during the 2011-12 school year.
Allegation Deemed Credible
CLEVELAND — An allegation of sexual abuse against a deceased Jesuit priest and former Saint Ignatius High School chaplain has been deemed to be credible, according to a letter sent to alumni by the school’s president.
Accusations Against Rev. Frank Canfield
- The accusations involve the Rev. Frank Canfield, who worked at Ignatius from 2006-14 and died last year at the age of 87.
- An alumnus first reported the allegations to the school’s president, the Rev. Raymond P. Guiao, in December.
- The abuse is claimed to have occurred during the 2011-12 academic year.
Investigation and Findings
The Jesuit Order’s Midwest Province conducted an investigation into the allegations. The inquiry concluded in March and the province determined that the allegation was credible, indicating that there is reasonable certainty that the abuse occurred.
Commitment to Safety and Apologies
In response to the findings, President Guiao expressed deep sadness and emphasized that the safety and well-being of students are top priorities for Saint Ignatius High School. The school fully cooperated with the investigation and offered pastoral counsel to the individual involved, along with sincere apologies on behalf of the school.
Background of Rev. Frank Canfield
According to Canfield’s obituary, he was a native of Detroit and was ordained a priest in 1967. Prior to his tenure at Saint Ignatius, he taught at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo.
Previous Allegation
Before his death, Canfield faced a separate abuse allegation from 2000, which was found to be credible. This prompted another alumnus from St. John’s Jesuit High School to come forward about their own experiences at Saint Ignatius.
Safeguarding Measures
President Guiao assured that Saint Ignatius is continuously working to examine and strengthen their safeguards against sexual abuse. These measures include strict background checks, annual training, and a phone app that allows students to report suspected abuse anonymously.
Contact Information
Students who have been abused at the school are encouraged to contact the Midwest Province’s Director of the Office of Safe Environment, Marjotie H. O’Dea, at (773) 975-6876 or UMISafeMinistry@jesuits.org.
Statement from Saint Ignatius High School
“We were deeply saddened to hear about this incident that happened 12 years ago at our school. We immediately reached out to the alumnus, encouraged him to bring it to the attention of the Midwest Providence to investigate, and offered him our deepest apologies along with pastoral care. We are glad he came forward and hope that by doing so, he has begun the healing process he deserves.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority and most sacred obligation. Today, we have aggressive policies in place to protect student safety, including some of the strictest background checks in the country, annual training, and a zero-tolerance policy for any type of abusive behavior. We have equipped every student with a mobile app that empowers them to report incidents while protecting their confidentiality and anonymity.
“We are deeply committed to transparency and accountability. This commitment has guided all of our actions to do the right things — including informing parents, students, and the news media — upon learning of the situation.
“We hold everyone at Saint Ignatius to the highest standards of integrity. We have zero tolerance for any type of abuse, and any infractions of this trust will continue to be dealt with immediately.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.7: Access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information, and education.
- Indicator for SDG 4.7: Acquisition of knowledge and skills related to sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, and promotion of a culture of peace.
- Indicator for SDG 5.2: Reduction in the prevalence of violence against women and girls.
- Indicator for SDG 16.6: Transparency and accountability of institutions at all levels.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator: Access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information, and education. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Indicator: Acquisition of knowledge and skills related to sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, and promotion of a culture of peace. |
| 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: Reduction in the prevalence of violence against women and girls. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator: Transparency and accountability of institutions at all levels. |
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Source: wkyc.com
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