Fr. John J. Burke

Named publicly in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report. Abused at least eight children. Targeted low-income, at-risk children. One man told the Attorney General’s investigators that Burke abused him at about age 13 in 1958. He had run away from foster care, was found and put in a jail where Burke was chaplain. Police released him to Burke’s care, where he was abused for two nights. He fled to the orphanage in which he had been placed prior to foster care. He said he told church officials but was not believed. In 2017 the man reported the abuse in a letter to Pope Francis, which was forwarded to the Joliet diocese and the Viatorians. The Order acknowledged allegations made in 1985 and that the diocese also knew. Four people had came forward in 1984 with allegations of abuse as children 1980-1984 by Burke, while he was assigned to St. George in Bourbonnais. Children and Family Services investigated and found “credible evidence” and child sex abuse was “indicated.” Criminally charged in 1/1985. Found not guilty. One alleged victim and his father received small settlements from the Viatiorans. By 1/2004 four people had come forward publicly. In 11/2010 the Diocese received a report of past abuse and another in 6/2011 of abuse in the 1980s. Order not informed. In 2018 a man told the Order Burke sexually abused him 1972-1975, beginning when he was 12, and that the priest would ply him with alcohol and drugs. He said Burke would pay him, and that he trafficked him to another man for abuse. Settled in 11/2021. As of 5/2023, name not included on Order or Diocese’s lists of accused. Died in 1986.