Fr. Thomas Francis Kelly

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 07/15/1990
Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Died 6/15/1990. Included in Archdiocesan settlement of 10/28/2005 for claim that he abused a child at St Teresa’s. At least one claim included in the 8/2008 $12.7M settlement. Personnel file released in 1/2014. Included on Chicago Archdiocese’s list 1/21/2014. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which states that Kelly was a serial predator. Sexually abused at least 20 boys, ages 11-17, in the 1960s and 1970s. Kelly would groom boys with dinner, movies and concerts, and let them drive his car. He plied them with alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana, gave them pornographic magazines and had them sleep over in the rectory. Archdiocesan files indicate that officials knew of Kelly’s behavior as early as 1967, yet claim the first report of abuse was in 1992.

Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.