Chicago Jesuit province makes record settlement in abuse lawsuit

May 22, 2013

The Chicago province of the Society of Jesus has agreed to pay nearly $20 million to settle a lawsuit brought by men who were sexually abused by Donald McGuire, a former Jesuit who has been dismissed from the order and from the priesthood.

The plaintiffs showed that Jesuit superiors had been aware of McGuire’s record of molestation for decades, but took no effective action to curb his activities. McGuire was eventually convicted of abuse by a Wisconsin court in 2006 and, on separate charges, a federal court in 2008. He is now serving a 25-year prison term.

The $19.6 million settlement by the Chicago Jesuit province will be divided among 6 of McGuire’s victims, providing an unprecedented award of over $3 million apiece.

 

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Further information:

• Chicago Jesuits hid sex crimes (Chicago Tribune)