In wake of Jesuits revelations, victims stress this cannot continue to happen
The release of a list of Jesuit priests accused of sexually abusing minors in Canada has sent shockwaves through some schools and communities — and prompted survivors to come forward with their own stories.
The religious order made the list public on Monday, as part of an attempt to be more transparent and accountable.
"This cannot continue to happen," said Bob Lemieux, who was a 12-year-old boarder in his preparatory year at Montreal's Loyola High School in 1957-58.
During that year, he alleges Father George Epoch forcibly kissed him.
"What Epoch did to me has ruined much of my life," said Lemieux, 77, who now lives outside of Kalamazoo, Mich.
"I grew into a man's body and did many things, but mentally, there were a lot of things that I never grew out of."
Epoch is one of 27 priests named by the Jesuits.
The list, released on Monday, is the result of an audit the religious order began in 2020 that looked into allegations of abuse by members dating back to the 1950s.
Many of the priests were transferred multiple times, to schools and communities across the country, from Alberta to Newfoundland.
CBC News has not independently verified the allegations against the priests, many of whom have died.