Religious Order Abuse Claims
Civil claims for abuse by members of Catholic religious orders — Jesuits, Franciscans, Christian Brothers, and others. Free confidential case review.
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Religious orders — including Jesuits, Franciscans, De La Salle Brothers, Christian Brothers, and others — are separate legal entities from dioceses. Abuse by order members may require separate claims against the order itself in addition to or instead of the diocese.
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits) abuse claims
- De La Salle / Christian Brothers school abuse
- Franciscan and Dominican order claims
- Order-operated schools and missions
- Separate liability from diocesan claims
See also our guides to abuse by nuns and religious sisters.
State Law Notice: Laws governing civil claims for religious institution abuse vary significantly by state. Filing deadlines, lookback windows, and available defendants differ depending on where the abuse occurred and your current state of residence. The information on this page is general in nature. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon without first speaking to a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a religious order for abuse by a priest or brother?
Yes. Religious orders such as the Jesuits and Franciscans are separate legal entities from dioceses and can be sued directly. Claims are usually brought against the order's regional province.
Should I sue the religious order or the diocese?
Sometimes both. If an order priest served in a diocesan parish or school, the diocese that allowed him to work there may share responsibility with the order. A lawyer can work out who controlled his assignments.
How do I find out which religious order an abuser belonged to?
Church directories, school records and published lists of credibly accused clergy often show an abuser's order. If you are unsure, a lawyer can investigate for you.
Have any religious orders filed for bankruptcy over abuse claims?
Yes. The Oregon Province of the Jesuits filed for Chapter 11 in 2009, and the Christian Brothers' Institute filed in 2011. In those cases survivors had to file claims by court-set deadlines.
Can I bring a claim if the order member was moved between states or countries?
Yes. Orders often moved members between their houses, schools and missions. Records of those transfers can show what the order knew and when.
Can I sue a religious order for abuse at a school it ran?
Yes. Orders that ran or staffed schools, such as Christian Brothers or Jesuit high schools, can be liable for abuse by their members and for failing to supervise them.
Further Reading
Find Out If You Have a Claim — in Confidence
Tell us briefly what happened. The legal team will review it and explain your options, with no cost and no obligation.
- Free, confidential case review
- No legal fees unless compensation is recovered
- Share only what you are comfortable with
- Filing deadlines apply, so check your options now
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