Fr. Joseph L. Fitzharris
Criminally convicted in 1987 of child sexual abuse, sentenced to one year of supervision. Returned to limited ministry. Removed from public ministry in 1991. Resigned from the priesthood in 1/1995. Archdiocese settled at least one claim in a 5/2007 $6.65M settlement with 14 people alleging abuse by 12 priests. Another man settled his claims for $875K in 7/2007 just prior to filing suit. He had alleged abuse by Fitzharris in the 1970s between ages 7-10. Laicized in 5/2009. Additional settlement with at least one man announced 8/30/2011. Personnel file released in 1/2014 as part of that settlement. Admitted by 2005 to abuse of at least 9 boys. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes at least 20 “reported survivors,” of abuse in Puerto Rico, Chicago, Kansas City MO, IN, CA, CO and other unknown locations.
- Chicago Archdiocesan Report 2009
- Chicago Tribune 11.24.91
- Chicago Archdiocesan Report 03.20.06
- Daily Southtown 05.29.07
- Earthtimes 05.29.07
- Chicago Sun-Times 07.07.07
- WQAD (AP) 07.08.07
- WLS 08.29.11
- WXEL 08.29.11
- Chicago Sun-Times 08.30.11
- Chicago Tribune 08.30.11
- Jeff Anderson & Assoc Press Release 08.30.11
- Chicago Tribune 01.21.14
- Personnel File Released 01.21.14
- NY Times 01.21.14
- National Catholic Reporter 01.21.14
- National Catholic Reporter 01.23.14
- IL Attorney General’s Report 05.23.23
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