CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Brothers,
Greetings and peace to you.
As you know, the Provincial Council has been preparing to publish a list of those Marianist priests and brothers, living and deceased, found to have sexually abused a minor since 1950 in the United States. We are all deeply ashamed that some among our members have been guilty of these sins. Abusive behavior is a betrayal of our religious vocation and has no place in our ministries. All entrusted to our care should be safe. This is why we are confronting the darkness of these sins in a spirit of sorrow and accountability, and with a sincere desire for reconciliation and healing.
Our intent was to publish the list during the recent Lenten season. However, the provincial council discerned it was in the best interest of the Province and our institutions to postpone the announcement amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
We are now informing you that the list will be published at
marianist.com/healing
this week. We anticipate the publication date will be on June 24.
We have placed information and helpful resources, including the formal announcement letter and some talking points on the
Marianist portal
. These resources will be located under the "Provincial Special Communications" button on the top right. If you are having trouble accessing the portal or if you do not have access to the portal, please contact
Ann Mueller
. Given the sensitive nature of this announcement, we ask that you keep these materials confidential until the list has been released publicly. A glossary and FAQs will also be published along with the full list.
Should you be contacted by the media, please direct all inquiries to the Province at
[email protected]
. Please do not make any response beyond this, even if pressed, so that we can respond with a unified and consistent message.
This is a very sensitive time for all of us as we prepare for this release. We pray that the Holy Spirit guides us at this time. We are also well aware of the new challenge we are all facing with the pandemic of the Coronavirus. Let us pray for each other as we journey through this most difficult reality.
Peace and prayers,
