August 20, 2018

Dear Parents, Alumni, Alumni Parents, Faculty and Staff, Members of the Board of Trustees, Benefactors, and Friends of Jesuit High School,

In the wake of the reports of Clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, I write to say how sad, angry, and disgusted I am by the crimes, sins, and moral failures of priests and bishops who have perpetrated such harm, and/or covered it up, hurting so many people who should have been able to trust the sacred ministry and humble service of these men.  My first thoughts are for the victims and survivors of such abuse, and my heart goes out to them. As a Jesuit and a priest, and as President of Jesuit High School, I feel horrified and betrayed by these incredibly harmful actions of my fellow ordained servants of Jesus Christ. 

It is a moral imperative for us to compassionately care for victims of sexual abuse. We must pray for a purifying and healing and reform in the Catholic Church, and for healing, justice and the restoration of dignity for those who have suffered abuse.  We must hold accountable those who perpetrated or enabled abuse, and we must pray for the transformation of the minds and hearts of the shepherds of the Church. 

Most especially, we must not let the failings of some in the Church, or of the Church itself, damage or overshadow our faith in God and our desire to follow Jesus Christ in loving and serving one another in the world.  Let us live in hope—hope in the mercy and compassion of Christ; hope in the light and love of Christ that shines through every darkness. 

Below are links to letters from the Bishop of Sacramento, Jaime Soto, and the Provincial of Jesuits West, Scott Santarosa, S.J. (JHS ’84), in addressing steps taken to care for victims and for holding abusers accountable. Jesuit High School takes these matters very seriously. As educators, we hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect the students entrusted to our care, as articulated in our “Employee Code of Conduct,” always available on the home page of our school website, www.jesuithighschool.org, and provided in a link, below.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I am grateful for the community of Jesuit High School.

Sincerely,
 
Rev. John P. McGarry, S.J.
President

Read Bishop Soto’s letter here: Click here
Read Fr. Santarosa’s letter here:  Click here
Read Jesuit High School’s “Employee Code of Conduct” here: Click here