Father C. Jeffries Burton
Diocese of Richmond/Baltimore/Jesuits
Ordained: 1967
Removed: 2007
Died: 2011
Assignment History
- 1968: College of the Sacred Heart (Woodstock, MD)
- 1969-1970: Colegio San Mateo (Osorno, Chile)
- 1971-1978: Chapel of the Holy Redeemer (Hot Springs, NC)
- 1979-1982: Youth Ministries (Flat Rock, NC)
- 1980: Self-Help, Inc. (Baltimore, MD)
- 1983-1988: Holy Name (Camden, NJ)
- 1989-1991: Jesuit Ferdinand Wheeler House (Baltimore, MD)
- 1990-1994: Holy Spirit (Atlantic City, NJ); Camden Diocesan Center (Mays Landing, NJ); Stockton State College (Pomona, NJ)
- 1993-1998: St. Peter (Pleasantville, NJ)
- 1999-2002: St. James (Ventor, NJ)
- 2003-2006: Assumption Parish (Pomona, NJ)
- 2007: Sacred Heart (South Richmond, VA)
- 2008:Jesuit Fathers and Brother Maryland Provincial Curia (Baltimore, MD)
- 2009-2010: Colombiere Jesuit Community (Baltimore, MD)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father C. Jeffries Burton
Father C. (Charles) Jeffries Burton was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1967. Burton served in multiple parishes throughout his career, including the Diocese of Richmond, Archdiocese of Baltimore., Chile, North Carolina, and New Jersey. He taught, served in Hispanic ministry, established and co-directed a youth ministry program, and worked as a campus minister. In December 2018, Father Burton’s name appeared on the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus list of Jesuits with credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors since 1950. In February 2019, his name also appeared publicly on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s list of Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of Minors. It was added to the Diocese of Richmond’s list, as well. In December 2019, his name appeared on the Diocese of Charlotte’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. In April 2023, Maryland’s Attorney General released a report alleging 156 Catholic clergy members sexually abused at least 600 children over six decades. The report lists the names of the abusers, including Father Burton.
According to the AG’s report, in 1994, the Jesuits received a report that in 1982 Father Burton had engaged in “inappropriate touching” with a minor in North Carolina. He was sent for “therapy” but remained in ministry and was reassigned.
In June 2007, while serving at Sacred Heart in South Richmond, VA, the Jesuits said they discovered the earlier allegation of inappropriate touching of a minor in 1982 after reviewing Father Burton’s personnel file. He was co-director of youth ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, at the time. He acknowledged the sexual misconduct and was removed from active ministry. He died in August 2011.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Richmond. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Richmond, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Richmond now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or email [email protected] to discuss your options today.