Priest defends nondisclosure

National Catholic Reporter, Dec 23, 2005

SEATTLE -- While provincial of the Northwest Jesuits from 1990-96, Fr. Stephen Sundborg had at least 10 conversations with Jesuit Fr. James Poole about improper sexual acts, but he never reported these as crimes. These discussions were privileged and, therefore, secret, Sundborg, now president of Seattle University, said in an October deposition, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Dec. 14.

Everything said in his annual "accounts of conscience" with Poole--and hundreds of other priests--remains secret, no matter how heinous, Sundborg said in the deposition. It's the same responsibility as the seal of confession, Sundborg told the newspaper.

Poole has since confessed to repeatedly molesting a 12-year-old, a 10-year-old and two adult women. He was removed from ministry in 2003 when accusations about assaults on children surfaced. Now 80, he lives in an apartment in Spokane. The Jesuits and the Fairbanks, Alaska, diocese have settled two cases involving Poole. Five other people have accused him of sexual. abuse and will take him to trial in February.