Fr. James W. Stein

Order: OPraem
Ordained: 1986
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Green Bay WI

Pleaded no contest in 1991 to touching a man in a sauna. Charged in 9/2003 with three counts of felony second-degree sexual assault of a boy at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay. The victim said that in 1988 Stein groped him several times in a swimming pool and hot tub at the Norbertine Abbey. Pleaded no contest in  8/2004. Sentenced to a year in jail (work release) and 10 years’ probation in 12/2004. On WI Sex Offender Register 2/5/2012. On Jackson diocese’s list 3/19/2019. On St. Norbert Abbey in WI list 7/19/2019. In notes multiple allegations, and that he left the abbey and ministry. Accused by another man of abuse as a boy in 1989, including forced oral sex. The man also alleged abuse by two other Norbertines. The Order agreed in 2009 to provide monthly payments to the man for counseling and medicine. They stopped payment in 5/2019. The man died by suicide at age 45 in 3/2020. Reportedly in 9/2021, Stein was working at a Milwaukee-area restaurant as a dishwasher. Name included in 10/2022 on the Chicago archdiocese’s list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.


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