Sisters of Charity reach out to victims of alleged abuse at orphanage

Published: 2004-07-28

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CNS) -- Saddened by allegations that a few of its members sexually abused children in the 1950s and 1960s, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Ky., have extended a hand of healing to those who may have been harmed. At a press conference July 22, Sister Susan Gatz, U.S. provincial of the order, said the allegations of sexual abuse "have been very heartbreaking" for the members of her community. "Healing and reconciliation are part of our mission," said Sister Gatz. "We're trying to be faithful to who we are, and we very much want to be a part of any healing that needs to occur." She urged anyone with a painful memory from the orphanage to contact the order and begin a healing process. By July 27, 20 people had filed claims in Jefferson Circuit Court alleging that they were abused physically or sexually by sisters and a priest decades ago at the St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage in Anchorage, an eastern suburb of Louisville. The orphanage, which closed in 1983, was owned by the archdiocese but run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

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