Father Thomas Hatrel
Ordained: 1952
Death: 1988
Settlement with Victim: 2007
Assignment History
- 1952-1953: St. Mary's College (St. Mary's, KS)
- 1953-1954: Xavier Hall (Pass Christian, MS)
- 1954-1957: Jesuit High School (New Orleans, LA)
- 1957-1979: Jesuit High School (Tampa, FL)
- 1979-1980: Monroe High School (Fairbanks, AK)
- 1980-1983: Immaculate Conception (Fairbanks, AK)
- 1983-1988: St. Mary's/St. Peter's (Sheldon Point/Nunam Iqua, AK)
Summary of Sexual Abuse against Father Thomas Hatrel
In December 2018, the Jesuits U.S. Central and Southern Province named Fr. Thomas Hatrel on its list of Jesuits with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. According to the list, Fr. Hatrel allegedly abused a minor in the 1980s "while applied to the Oregon Province." The Jesuits did not provide any further details about the nature or scope of the abuse.
2007 Lawsuit Against the Jesuits
In a lawsuit filed in 2007, it is maintained that Fr. Hatrel abused a minor between 1985 and 1987 while serving the St. Ignatius parish in Alaska. The Jesuits settled with the victim, but additional information about the abuse and the size of the settlement remains unknown.
Fr. Thomas Hatrel's Career
Although not much is known about the allegations against Fr. Thomas Hatrel, it is widely documented that Fr. Hatrel was directly involved with children throughout his career.
Fr. Thomas Hatrel with the Jesuit High Baseballers in 1965. Fr. Hatrel is pictured third row (standing), second from left.
While working at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, sources say the school enrolled more than 900 all-male students. When he transferred to the Jesuit High School in Florida, sources say the school enrolled more than 200 all-male students. News reports also reveal he worked with the high school baseball team.
Furthermore, reports indicate that during his tenure at Immaculate Conception-which had a grade school-Fr. Hatrel received a recommendation highlighting his close relationship with the students.
Fr. Thomas Hatrel died on May 7, 1988.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Louisiana, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Alexandria may now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Louisiana and nationwide. We can help.
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