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Several former McQuaid teachers named on a list of alleged abusers

www.jesuitseast.org

McQuaid Jesuit High School is responding after regional leaders of the Jesuits released a list on Tuesday of clergy who had credible allegations of abuse against a minor or vulnerable adult since 1950.

That list from the USA Northeast Province for the Jesuits includes the names of seven clergy, living or deceased, who once served at McQuaid.

Here is the list provided by McQuaid:

Fr. Cornelius Carr served at McQuaid from 1960-64. Incidents of abuse, judged credible, occurred in the 1970s and 1989-90. Accusations were reported in 2005. He died in 2013.

Fr. Thomas Denny served at McQuaid from 1978-79. Incidents of abuse, judged credible, occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. Accusations were reported in 2002 and Denny was removed from ministry that same year.

Fr. Roy Drake served at McQuaid from 1957-60. Incidents of abuse, judged credible, occurred in 1968 and 1973. Accusations were reported in 2003 and Drake was removed from ministry that same year. He died in 2008.

Fr. John Farrand served at McQuaid from 1954-57. The incident of abuse occurred and was reported in 1961. Farrand admitted that the incident occurred. He died in 2003.

Leonard Riforgiato (former Jesuit seminarian) served at McQuaid from 1964-66. The incident of abuse occurred between 1964 and 1966. Accusations were reported in 1969 to which Riforgiato admitted. He left the Society of Jesus in 1972 and died in 1999.

Fr. William Scanlon served at McQuaid from 1964-67. Incidents of abuse occurred between 1985 and 1994. Accusations were reported in 1994 to which Scanlon admitted. He was removed from ministry in 1994.

Robert Voelkle (former Jesuit priest) served at McQuaid from 1962-63, 1964-65 and 1968-69. Incidents of abuse, judged credible, occurred between 1960 and 1980. Accusations were reported in 1980. He left the Society of Jesus in 1985 and died in 2016.

Father Robert Reiser, the President of McQuaid Jesuit, released this statement:

Today is a very difficult day for the victims of sexual abuse and their families. Rev. John Cecero, S.J., Provincial of the Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), released names of those Jesuits against whom credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable individuals have been made since 1950. The list includes the names of seven Jesuits, living or deceased, who once served at McQuaid Jesuit. We pray that some healing will come from sharing these names.

McQuaid has a zero-tolerance policy regarding incidents of inappropriate conduct with minors or vulnerable adults. If any abuse claim should ever be made by a student or non-student, we immediately report the incident to law enforcement and the Jesuits’ Northeast Province. Additionally, all McQuaid employees are mandated reporters, and are legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities.”

A complete list of names released by the Northeast Province can be found on its website: www.jesuitseast.org.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.