8 former Brophy clergyman on list of Jesuits accused of sexual abuse

PHOENIX – Credible claims of sexual abuse were found to have been made against eight Jesuit clergymen who worked at Phoenix’s Brophy College Preparatory between 1950 and 1993, it was announced Friday.

Jesuits West Province, which encompasses Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington, released a list with the names of dozens of clergymen who have been credibly accused. Many are deceased and none are still in public ministry.

“This list of Jesuits with credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, dating to 1950, is being published as part of our province’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability,” the province said in a statement.

Last month, Brophy notified its community that the report from Jesuits West was pending.

“We were not aware of any of these names prior to the province’s release, and Brophy does not have any information regarding any claims made by Brophy students who were victimized by the Jesuits on this list,” Brophy President Adria Renke said in a statement issued after the list came out.

“I can assure you that no current Jesuits or faculty members are implicated in this issue, and no child is currently at risk as a result of these revelations.”

Of the eight Jesuits on the list who worked at Brophy, only one was at the Phoenix private school during the time of the allegations.

That was Eugene J. Colosimo, who was at Brophy from 1955 to 1960 and was accused of sexual abuse of a minor from 1957 to 1959.

The claim against Colosimo was made in 1993, and he continued working for the Catholic Church in California until his death in 2006.

According to the Jesuits West report, all but two of the accused former Brophy clergymen are deceased.

“In those instances, the accused was unable to defend himself or deny the charges,” the report said. “The province was unable to undertake a thorough investigation.

“Deceased individuals are included in this list based upon the fact that an accusation was reported.”

The former Brophy clergyman who are still alive are Philip Sunseri and Carlton E. Whitten.

Sunseri, who was at Brophy from 1978 to 1982, was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in 1986. He was dismissed in 1988.

Whitten was at Brophy from 1972 to 1977 and was removed from the clergy after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor 2008.

In addition to Colosimo, the following Jesuits on the list who worked at Brophy have died:

• Edward T. Burke: at Brophy 1958-66 and 1970-77, sexual abuse of vulnerable adults 1990-2000, died 2009.
• Charles L. Connor: at Brophy 1977-79, sexual abuse of vulnerable adults 1990-2000, died 2011.
• James T. Monaghan: at Brophy 1955-62, sexual abuse of a minor 1988-89, died 2004.
• Thomas E. O’Rourke: at Brophy 1975-93, sexual abuse of a minor, died 1993.
• John R. Shepherd: at Brophy 1955-56, sexual abuse of a minor 1978, 1980s, died 1991.

Jesuits West said it will continue reviewing files and investigating cases and urged anyone victimized by a Jesuit to call the province at 408-893-8398 and contact local law enforcement and child-protective agencies.

Brophy’s Renke asked anybody victimized by a school employee or a Jesuit to email her at arenke@brophyprep.org and contact law enforcement.

A sheet of frequently asked questions released by Jesuits West noted that inclusion on the 111-name list doesn’t necessarily mean the person was found guilty of a criminal charge.

The FAQ provides details about how the list was compiled and how the Jesuits handle sexual abuse claims.

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