Father Louis Bonacci
Archdiocese of Baltimore/Scranton/Jesuits
Ordained: 1973
Removed: 2011
Assignment History:
- 1973-1974: Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues (Wernersville, PA)
- 1973-1974: Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth (Wernersville, PA)
- 1974-1978: Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome, Italy)
- 1978-1982: Loyola College (Baltimore, MD)
- 1982-1987: Our Lady of Mercy (Winston-Salem, NC)
- 1986-1988: Wake Forest University; NC School of the Arts (Charlotte, NC)
- 1986-1988: Salem College; Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, NC)
- 1987-1988: St. Benedict the Moor (Winston-Salem, NC)
- 1988-1990: Marianist Community (Dayton, OH)
- 1990-1991: Faber Jesuit Community (Cincinnati, OH)
- 1991-1994: Marianist Community (Dayton, OH)
- 1994-1999: Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH)
- 1994-1998: Jesuit Community at Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH)
- 1998-1999: Faber Jesuit Community (Cincinnati, OH)
- 1999-2003: Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, WV)
- 2003-2011: The University of Scranton (Scranton, PA)
- 2004-2005: Misericordia University (Dallas, PA)
- 2005-2011: Diocese of Scranton (Scranton, PA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Louis Bonacci
Father Louis Bonacci was a Jesuit priest who worked in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Scranton. In 2018, Fr. Bonacci was listed on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Credibly Accused of Sexual Abuse of Minors list. 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 Bonacci.
According to media reports, in 2011, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) learned that Bonacci was accused of touching a minor at a Howard County residence while working as Loyola’s assistant director of ministry from 1978 to 1982. The Maryland Province reported the abuse to the appropriate authorities, temporarily removed Bonacci from ministry, and the Province Review Board opened an investigation.
During the course of the Jesuits’ investigation of the initial abuse, a second victim reported sexual abuse by Bonacci as a child as well. The second allegation was reported to civil authorities by the Jesuits. Upon the Province Review Board’s recommendation, the Maryland Province permanently removed Bonacci from all ministries. The Maryland Province issued a notice to all dioceses and institutions where Bonacci had worked, alerting them to this abuse and the steps that had been taken about Bonacci. Archdiocesan records indicate that Bonacci was placed on the Archdiocese’s “do not hire” list on July 11, 2011. Bonacci left the Jesuits in 2014.
For the majority of his career as a Jesuit priest, Bonacci served as a campus priest for a number of universities. In 2006, Bishop Martino retained Bonacci to serve as the Diocesan Coordinator of Spiritual Direction, whereby he was available to provide spiritual direction for both priests and deacons of the Diocese of Scranton. Bonacci served in this capacity until his suspension. Along with Baltimore, Bonacci was listed as credibly accused by the Diocese of Scranton in 2018, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 2018, the Maryland Province of Jesuits in 2018, the Diocese of Charlotte in 2019, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2020. He is said to be living in a monitored Jesuit residence since his suspension.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Maryland, contact our office today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse nationwide. We can help. Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.