Three lawsuits have been filed against priests and a lay teacher at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, N.Y., accusing them of sexual abuse. Notably, Reverend William O’Malley was named in one lawsuit. O’Malley is known for his role in the film The Exorcist, in which he played a Jesuit priest, as well as for his writing and teaching.

The lawsuits were filed in New York Supreme Court, in Monroe County. They were brought forward under the New York Child Victims Act, a state law that gives victims more time to file lawsuits over sexual abuse they suffered as a child. In the three lawsuits filed regarding McQuaid Jesuit High School, former McQuaid Jesuit students say that they were abused by teachers in the 1970s and 80s. 

Before the Child Victims Act was passed, these claims would have been prohibited by the more restrictive statute of limitations. The abuse mentioned in these claims allegedly occurred around 40 years ago, and the claims are eligible to be brought forward under a look back window that the law has created.

Four teachers — three priests and one lay teacher — were named as abusers in the recent lawsuits. One priest and the lay teacher had previously faced allegations of abuse, while two other priests have not previously been named as abusers. Democrat & Chronicle explains that these are not the only McQuaid Jesuit teachers who have been accused of sexual abuse of students.

Reverend William O’Malley is somewhat well known for an acting role in the horror film The Exorcist, as well as for the more than three dozen books has has authored, explains USA Today. In 2019, he gained another kind of notoriety when he was accused by a former student of abuse in 1985 and 1986. Now, he faces additional claims, alleging the also abused another student in 1975 or 1976.

Had Any of These Teachers Been Previously Accused?

A lay teacher, John Tobin, also gained notoriety for sexual abuse. Tobin, who passed away in 2000, had previously faced allegations. Democrat & Chronicle explains that Tobin was accused of abuse in ‘high profile” cases. Reportedly, he taught foreign languages at McQuaid Jesuit and coached the swim team. According to Democrat & Chronicle, he was fired from his job in 1993, after he was accused of “unspecified misconduct” on a school trip.

In 2003, Esquire published a story of alleged abuse committed by Tobin against another student. The article was republished in 2007, and goes into detail about the circumstances of the abuse.

On Monday, a new victim came forward accusing him of abuse in 1978 and 1979. That victim had not previously reported abuse. In the same lawsuit, that victim also says that he was abused by Reverend Harry Untereiner in 1980. This is the first time that Rev. Untereiner has faced allegations of sexual abuse.

A third lawsuit names a fourth McQuaid Jesuit teacher as an alleged abuser. These claims were filed by a former student who attended the school in the 1970s. Reverend James Curry taught theology and history at the school in the 1970s and 1980s. According to the student, he was abused by Rev. Curry between 1974 and 1977. This is the first time that Rev. Curry has been been accused of sexual abuse. 

Democrat & Chronicle explains that at least two other teachers at McQuaid have been accused of abuse committed at schools at which they thought during other parts of their career. These teachers were at McQuaid Jesuit in the 1950s and 60s, and were later accused of abuse. Similarly, those allegations were brought forward under the New York Child Victims Act. 

These accusations include Reverend John L. Farrand, who was at McQuaid Jesuit in the 1950s. He was accused of abusing a Loyola High School student in the 1970s. Reverend Robert Voelkle, who taught at McQuaid Jesuit during the 1960s, was accused of sexual abuse during his employment at Regis High School in 1976. 

Instances of alleged abuse in the Catholic Church have come to light in recent years, as victims around the country say that the church systematically covered up abuse. According to critics, the church prioritized the reputation of the institution and the careers of abusive clergy over the rights and safety of victims. As more victims have moved to share their stories, states like New York and others have implemented legal change in the hopes of offering victims more chances to share their stories and seek justice. Dioceses around the country have been hit with lawsuits, and have responded with promises of increased transparency and with the establishment of victims’ compensation funds.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.