Statement from the Maryland Province
Members of the University Community,
The University has been informed that the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus is seeking information about possible abuse of minors by one of its members, Neil McLaughlin, S.J., during his ministry in Scranton, Pa. We have been told that this inquiry results from recent information about possible victims in the Scranton area and a credible allegation from an adult female who contacted the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus in 2008 regarding an abusive incident she suffered as a young girl in Scranton in 1963.
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus and the Diocese of Scranton are working together to ensure that communication is made to all the parishes and institutions where Neil McLaughlin served. Notice of this situation will be posted in The Catholic Light, the newspaper of the Diocese of Scranton, and in parish bulletins throughout the Diocese. I am writing to the University community and posting this information to the University’s website in order to share the information that we have received. The Province is asking people who believe that they were victims of abuse by Neil McLaughlin to contact their local civil authorities and then call the Maryland Province at 443-921-1326.
I ask you to join me in praying for all those who may have been affected.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
An Announcement from the Maryland Province
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus is seeking information about possible abuse of minors by one of its members, Neil McLaughlin, S.J., during his ministry in Scranton, Pa. This inquiry results from recent information about possible victims in the Scranton area and a credible allegation from an adult female who contacted the Jesuits in 2008 regarding an abusive incident she suffered as a young girl in Scranton in 1963. People who believe that they are victims of abuse by McLaughlin should contact their local civil authorities and then call the Maryland Province Jesuits at 443-921-1326.
When the allegation was made in 2008, McLaughlin had already been removed from ministry by the Province. That action was taken in 2006 when the Province re-examined an allegation that had been made against McLaughlin in 1990 and recognized the steps taken at that time were inadequate under the policies adopted in 2004 with regard to allegations of abuse against members.
Today McLaughlin resides in a Jesuit community where he has limited access to members of the public and his actions are monitored. He has disclosed that there may be other victims of similar sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Scranton.
The Province is informing all of the dioceses and institutions where McLaughlin served to alert the Catholic public about these reports. The locations where McLaughlin was in ministry follow:
- 1953-1954. Prior to ordination, while a Jesuit scholastic, he taught at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia.
- 1954-1956. He taught at Loyola Blakefield High School in Baltimore.
- 1959. He was ordained to the priesthood.
- 1961-1983 and 1985-1986. He taught at Scranton Preparatory School.
- 1964-1965. He resided in and assisted at St. Paul of the Apostle Parish, Highland Park, N.J.
- 1965-1983. He worked part-time as a chaplain at Georgetown University Hospital during the summer.
- 1971-1995. He celebrated weekend masses at St John Bosco Church, Conyngham, PA.
- 1985-1986. He served as the Assistant Director of Campus Ministries at The University of Scranton.
- 1985-2006. He held various administrative jobs with the Alumni Association at The University of Scranton, including Alumni Chaplain from 2002-2006.
- 1990’s. He celebrated weekend masses at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Scranton.
- 1996-2006. He ministered part-time at St. Thomas More Church, Lake Ariel, PA.
