Church Searches for Potential Victims
NBC 4 [Washington DC]
February 5, 2007
http://www.nbc4.com/news/10935895/detail.html
A priest, who once taught at Gonzaga High School in Northwest Washington, is accused of sexual misconduct going back to the 1970s.
The Rev. Cornell Bradley, a Jesuit priest, has not been charged in the case. He allegedly had inappropriate sexual conduct with a man, woman and three minors. Two of the allegations center around then-15-year-old boys who attended Gonzaga about 30 years ago.
Bradley taught at Gonzaga from 1962 to 1965 and from 1972 to 1979.
 |
| Priest Accused Of Indecent Conduct |
The Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus acknowledges that there were allegations made against Bradley years ago but said he received psychiatric treatment in 1993 and was returned to the ministry.
In a letter the society states: "Allowing Father Bradley to return to ministry after his 1993 treatment may have seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but such action now contradicts the Maryland Province Pastoral Conduct Policies, instituted in 2004."
An official with the society said Bradley acknowledged some of the allegations and couldn't deny others.
Bradley was removed from active ministry last year.
The church is now sending letters to places where Bradley lived and worked, including Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown. Officials said while Bradley was never a staff member at Holy Trinity, he did live there from 1970 to 1976.
Letters about the allegations are also being sent out to churches and schools where he taught in Baltimore, North Carolina, Philadelphia and India.
The church said it wants to know if there are any more potential victims. The letter also reads in part: "Maryland Province officials want to know if anyone else has been abused by Father Bradley. Every institution where Father Bradley worked or lived during the time he has been a Jesuit is being contacted."
Authorities said no charges have been filed in the case because either the victims didn't want to press charges or the statute of limitations has run out.
A spokesperson said Bradley now lives in a Jesuit community under supervision. She also said Bradley can remain a priest but he will not be allowed to work with the public again.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.