Fr. James E. Poole

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Died: 03/28/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Fairbanks AK

Accused of abusing girls throughout career, beginning in 1948. Spent most of priesthood in AK. Files show Jesuits knew of issues as early as 1960. Removed from longtime job at KNOM radio station (which he founded) in 1988. Suit settled in 2005. Admission. Multiple other suits pending in 2006. Another filed in 2/2007 against the Jesuits for transferring Poole (with knowledge of his behavior) to Portland OR where he abused a girl in the 1960s. Settlements 11/2007, 2008, 3/2011 and 2/2014. Claims in the Fairbanks bankruptcy, noting 19 reports of abuse by Poole. Name included on the Seattle archdiocese’s list 1/15/2016. Worked at Bellarmine Prep and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma 1990-2003. Was retired to the Jesuits’ Regis Community in Spokane in 2003. ‘Permanent Prayer and Penance’ status in 2016. Died 3/28/2018.  Included on the Jesuits West Province list 12/7/2018.

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