Fr. John J. Powell

Professor of psychology and theology. Wrote self-help books popular with adolescent girls. Sued in 2003. Accused of abuse of 7 girls in the 1960s and 1970s. Settlement with 6 (2 suits) in 10/2005. Named in another suit filed in  10/2006. A woman claimed he abused her in 1975 or 1976 when she was a Loyola University student. A civil suit filed in 11/2008 alleged that Powell fondled and abused a girl, age 16-17, at Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach, FL when he conducted a seminar there. Per the Province’s list revised 1/21/2020, abuse is alleged to have occurred in 1963 while Powell was a visiting retreat director at St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame University. Died 9/24/2009. Included on the Detroit archdiocese’s list of credibly accused 6/10/2019. On Ft. Wayne-South Bend’s list in 12/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes at least 4 “reported survivors,” of abuse in 1963 in IN, 1966-1967 in IL, 1967 in IL, and 1967 in FL. The Order’s list updated 10/30/2023 reflects this.