John Bollard (catholic priest)
Encyclopedia
John Bollard is a former seminarian who filed a lawsuit in federal United States court against the California Province of the Society of Jesus
and four other defendants for sexual harassment
. In 1999, after a successful appeal, Bollard won the right to have his case heard in open court. The case never went to trial, being settled out of court for an undisclosed sum in 2000.
, Bollard was raised in nearby Bakersfield
. He attended Catholic schools through elementary and high school, entering St. John’s Seminary
of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles immediately after.
After spending two years in the seminary, Bollard left, returning to Bakersfield to complete his Bachelors of Philosophy at California State University
, Bakersfield. Following his undergraduate work, Bollard resumed his journey to the priesthood, joining the Society of Jesus in the California Province of the Jesuit Order.
During this stint, he traveled and worked around the world, giving retreats in the Philippines
, consulting in Hong Kong
and working with activists in war-torn El Salvador
. Back home in the regions of California, he worked in an East Los Angeles juvenile hall, a shelter for battered women and a convalescent hospital; four years of Bollard’s training were spent teaching philosophy and ethics at a Jesuit Prep School in Northern California.
In 1994, he began his final stage of preparation for ordination by pursuing a Masters degrees in theology and education.
Three years later, Bollard filed a lawsuit against the Jesuits, claiming rampant sexual harassment on the part of his superiors. The claim drew widespread local and national media attention, culminating in the form of a lead story on the CBS
program “60 Minutes
.” On the program, Bollard alleged that he repeatedly found himself on the deflecting end of one physical advance or another; even regularly receiving pornographic cards and notes signed by his mentors and teachers.
Bollard now lives in Los Angeles, where he is a senior administrator at the University of California
at Los Angeles, and continues his commitment to and involvement in the Catholic Church.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
and four other defendants for sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
. In 1999, after a successful appeal, Bollard won the right to have his case heard in open court. The case never went to trial, being settled out of court for an undisclosed sum in 2000.
Biography
Born in Indio, CaliforniaIndio, California
Indio is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, located in the Coachella Valley of Southern California's Colorado Desert region. It lies east of Palm Springs, east of Riverside, and east of Los Angeles. It is about north of Mexicali, Baja California on the U.S.-Mexican border...
, Bollard was raised in nearby Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
. He attended Catholic schools through elementary and high school, entering St. John’s Seminary
St. John's Seminary (California)
St. John's Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary located in Camarillo, California. It is within the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The seminarians prepare for assignments in dioceses as well as religious orders. St. John's offers the Master of Divinity degree as a...
of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles immediately after.
After spending two years in the seminary, Bollard left, returning to Bakersfield to complete his Bachelors of Philosophy at California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
, Bakersfield. Following his undergraduate work, Bollard resumed his journey to the priesthood, joining the Society of Jesus in the California Province of the Jesuit Order.
During this stint, he traveled and worked around the world, giving retreats in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, consulting in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and working with activists in war-torn El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. Back home in the regions of California, he worked in an East Los Angeles juvenile hall, a shelter for battered women and a convalescent hospital; four years of Bollard’s training were spent teaching philosophy and ethics at a Jesuit Prep School in Northern California.
In 1994, he began his final stage of preparation for ordination by pursuing a Masters degrees in theology and education.
Three years later, Bollard filed a lawsuit against the Jesuits, claiming rampant sexual harassment on the part of his superiors. The claim drew widespread local and national media attention, culminating in the form of a lead story on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
program “60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
.” On the program, Bollard alleged that he repeatedly found himself on the deflecting end of one physical advance or another; even regularly receiving pornographic cards and notes signed by his mentors and teachers.
Bollard now lives in Los Angeles, where he is a senior administrator at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
at Los Angeles, and continues his commitment to and involvement in the Catholic Church.