A Catholic organization that oversees the placement of clergy at locations in nearly a dozen states, including Arizona, has just released the findings of an investigation into sexual misconduct by its priests.
The report shows credible accusations of sexual abuse against eight Jesuit priests who have at one time worked at Brophy College Preparatory High School in Phoenix.
The Brophy employees named in the report are Carlton Whitten, Edward Burke, Eugene Colosimo, Charles Connor, James Monaghan, Thomas O'Rourke, John Shepherd, and Philip Sunseri. Of the eight, Whitten is the only Jesuit still alive today.
Of the claims in the report, only allegations against Colosimo, made between 1957-1959, appear to have coincided with the time he served at Brophy, from 1955-1960.
The report details the names of all Jesuit priests under the province's jurisdiction who have been found to have credible allegations of sexual abuse against minors, going back all the way to 1950.
All Jesuit priests are assigned to Brophy through Jesuits West, which used to be called the California Province of the Society of Jesus, and which encompasses 10 states.
Anyone who has felt victimized by a Jesuit is encouraged to call victim's advocate Mary Panighetti at 408-893-8398 as well as law enforcement and child protective agencies.
