6 Jesuit priests assigned to Guelph, Ont., among 27 clergy 'credibly accused' of sexually abusing minors

Warning: This story includes allegations of sexual abuse of minors:

Six priests named in a list released by the Jesuits of Canada had pastoral assignments in Guelph, Ont.The religious order of the Catholic Church released a list of over twodozen priests and brothers they say were "credibly accused" of sexually abusing minors since the 1960s.

"Over the past three or more decades, revelations of grievous abuse by clergy dating back many generations have come to light, and the Church has been slow to respond," Father Erik Oland, leader of the Jesuits of Canada, said in a letter to the publicthat was posted on the Jesuits of Canada website.

The religious order made the list public on Monday, as part of an attempt to be more transparent and accountable.

The Jesuits originally planned to release the list by January 2021. It names27 people.

In a statement,Oland attributed the delay to a COVID-19 pandemic slowdown. The release of the list was first reported by the Globe and Mail.

"As we have met with survivors, listened to their stories and read the reports of their experiences, we have felt shame and become convinced that the only path forward is one of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation," saidOland.

CBChas not independently verified the allegations.

Roles included cook,librarian, French teacher

Of the six men with pastoral assignments in Guelph, five of them are now dead.

CBCKitchener-Waterloo has confirmed the namesof the five men, now deceased,who had pastoral assignments at Ignatius College in Guelph, and the years theyspent in the area. They were:

• William Savoie, Ignatius College, Guelph: 1944 to 1949.
• William Westaway, Ignatius College, Guelph 1957 to 1960.
• George Topp, Ignatius College, Guelph: 1977 to 1978.
• Lorne Trainor, Ignatius College, Guelph 1984 to 2000.
• George Epoch, Ignatius College, Guelph,1967 to 1969

The priests held various roles including vice-superior, French teacher,cook, house librarian, house treasurer, giving the spiritual exercises and preacher of retreats.

The Jesuits of Canada say all five havemultiple allegations against them.

Ignatius Collegeno longer operates as a seminary. It's now a retreat and education centre.

The sixth, who served at the University of Guelph as a chaplain between 1967 and 1971, is listed as having a single allegation against him.

The University of Guelph has not responded to CBC's inquiries.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.