Fr. Rene Astruc - Diocese of San Jose

Father Rene Astruc

Diocese of San Jose (Jesuits)

Ordained: 1954

Died: 2002

Assignment History:

1950-1951: Holy Cross Mission (Holy Cross, AK)
1951-1955: Alma College (Los Gatos, CA)
1955-1956: Paray-le-Monial (France)
1956-1962: St. Michael’s (St. Michaels, AK)
1962-1963: St. John Berchmans Church (Galena, AK)
1963-1964: Holy Cross Mission (Holy Cross, AK)
1964-1970: St. Mary’s (St. Mary, AK)
1970-1975: Chancery (Fairbanks, AK)
1976-1978: Chancery (Fairbanks, AK)
1970-1980: Jesuit Residence (Anchorage, AK)
1980-1982: St. Joseph’s (Kotlik, AK)
1982-1996: Jesuit Residence (Anchorage, AK)
1996-1998: Returned to the Province of France
1998-2002: Bro. Joe Prince Community (St. Mary’s, AK)
Oct. 2001-June 2002: Mary Conrad Center Rest Home (Anchorage, AK)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Rene Astruc:

Fr. Rene Astruc was a native of France and was ordained a Jesuit priest of the Oregon Province in 1954. He briefly served in the Diocese of San Jose, and spent most of his career in Alaska, among the Yup’ik people. According to media reports, at least two child sex abuse accusations against Astruc have been revealed in the Diocese of Fairbanks 2010 bankruptcy reorganization documents.

In 2018, Astruc was included on the Jesuits West Province list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. It noted reports in 2009 of abuse that occurred in 1959-1967, the mid-’60s, 1965-1966, 1975, and 1982-1985. It also noted that three women alleged that Astruc sexually abused them as minors over three decades in remote Native schools and orphanages where he worked.

In 2020, Astruc was included on the Archdiocese of Anchorage list of clergy credibly accused of child sex abuse. It noted an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor in 1976 and a vulnerable adult, while he was at the Jesuit Residence in Anchorage from 1971-1996.

Astruc died in 2002.

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