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The Society of Jesus relied on the labor of enslaved people globally, almost from our founding. In colonial North America, and, over time, in the United States, their involuntary labor helped establish, expand and sustain Jesuit missionary efforts and educational institutions until the abolition of slavery in 1865.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in the colonial period held people in bondage in what are now Maryland and Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Canada and the Great Lakes region. In the 19th century, the labor of enslaved people supported Jesuit missions, churches and schools in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Illinois and Kansas. Georgetown University, Saint Louis University and Spring Hill College relied directly upon enslaved labor, as did colleges in Kentucky and Louisiana that are now closed.
We, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, deeply regret our participation in this evil institution. No one today can reconcile these actions with the current teaching of the Catholic Church or with our commitments as ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, but they are an undeniable part of our history. We are called now to an intentional response: one that foregrounds the lived experiences of enslaved people, acknowledges the legacies of Jesuit slaveholding, and is made in collaboration with Descendants and those in our communities who continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery.
In March 2021, Descendants of ancestors enslaved and sold by the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ and the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ of the United States launched a first-of-its-kind partnership: the . A landmark undertaking, the DTRF’s mission is to support the educational aspirations of Descendants for future generations and to play a prominent role in engaging, promoting and supporting programs and activities that highlight truth, accelerate racial healing and reconciliation, and advance racial justice and equality in America.
The DTRF is an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership that works to mitigate the dehumanizing impact of racism on our human family.
Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project
SHMR was an initiative of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States that ran from 2016-2021. The project’s offices were in St. Louis and this website contains many resources developed from that project. As the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in the United States learned more and dialogued with Descendants, the Jesuit Conference re-allocated resources to support genealogical study and partnership with Descendants.
JARC can assist with specific documentary requests for information on ancestors or other defined research.
Society of Jesus Apologizes for the Sins of Jesuit Slaveholding at Georgetown University Liturgy
The 2024/25 report shares updates on the DTRF’s programs, financial stewardship, and the impact they are making with Descendants and partners across the country.
DTRF at Ignatian Volunteer Corps Twin CitiesIn this video, Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, Chair of the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Trust, shares his thoughts on why the work toward reconciliation is critically important.