Diocese of Peoria IL

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

35 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. John C. Anderson

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Ordained: 1959
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Removed from assignment at St. Edward's in Chillicothe in 1993 when an allegation surfaced that Anderson had sexually abused a boy a decade earlier. Sent to treatment. Anderson's accuser said Bishop Myers told him he was lying. Continued to work in administrative positions "on special assignment" until 2002. Named in a 10/2018 suit against all of the Catholic dioceses in IL, claiming Anderson sexually abused a boy at ages 8-14 in the late 1970s-early 1980s, also at St. Edward's. The plaintiff said the Diocese told him they knew Anderson had abused young boys and suggested he forgive the priest. Included on the diocese's list of accused in 12/2018. In 6/2018 was reportedly living in a Bloomington retirement community, presenting himself as a priest. (The Diocese's 2020 list shows Anderson as having died in 2009 and a 1948 ordination date, yet news articles from the era show that he was ordained in 1959. John C. is first listed in the Official Catholic Directory in 1960, which reflects the year 1959-1960. The Directory does not show a John Anderson in Peoria prior to then.) Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 7 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Robert O. Barnett

Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Died: 03/19/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002. Barnett died in 1991. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 6 "reported survivors" and that the diocese' claims it first received a report of abuse by Anderson in 1964.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Charles Beebe

Ordained: 1970
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Monsignor. Retired in 2016. Accused in 2018 of the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old boy in 1981, at the Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute. Beebe was placed on leave in 6/18 and police contacted. The Diocesan Review Commission investigated and deemed the allegation "unsubstantiated." Reinstated.

Sources:

Chicago Sun-Times 10.18.18
WGLT 10.18.18

Fr. Patrick B. Brennan

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 01/21/1995
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

In 11/2023 a 71-year-old man stated publicly that he was sexually assaulted at age 6 by group of men, including Brennan. He said the abuse happened in a house down the street from his home. He had been in therapy for childhood sexual trauma, his therapists aware that Brennan was the alleged perpetrator. The man reportedly came forward to the Diocese in 1993. He said he felt betrayed by the Diocese and obtained a lawyer, then decided to not pursue legal action after receiving anonymous phone calls from people harassing him about the allegations. Brennan was not included in the 2023 IL Attorney General's Report because the Diocese could not substantiate the allegation. Brennan died in 1995.

Sources:

Journal Star 12.05.23

Fr. Walter A. Breuning

Ordained: 1954
Status: Settled

Died: 11/2/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Retired in 1999. Removed from public ministry in 2002 after allegation of sexual abuse of minors 20-40 years prior, at least as young as age 9. Two brothers alleged he abused them in the late 1960s-early 1970s while assigned to St. Joseph's in Pekin. Three suits filed in 12/2005 alleged child sexual abuse. Name sometimes spelled Bruening. Suit dismissed by lower court but reinstated by Appeals Court in 1/2009. Settled. At least 12 accusers. On diocese's list in 12/2018, name spelled "Bruening." Died 11/2/2009. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Edward E. Bush

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 03/22/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

In 2002 two women accused Bush of sexual misconduct against them when they were in 6th and 8th grades in 1964 or 1965. Removed from ministry 5/2002. Bishop confronted him 4/2002; he did not deny charges, and agreed to resign from all active ministry. He sued the diocese for defamation in 9/2002. At least one woman sued him in 2005. Case withdrawn, then refiled in 1/2007. Dismissed in 6/2007 as beyond the statute of limitations. Bush died 3/22/2011. On diocese's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Terry Cassidy

Ordained: 1984
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Diocese announced Cassidy's removal from public ministry 8/26/2015 due to accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor nearly 30 years prior. Assigned to 16 parishes 1984-2001, with leave of absences 1989 and 1992. Spiritual advisor for Teens Encounter Christ 2006-2013. Pastor of St. Ann's in Peoria 1999-2015. Shown on the diocese's list of accused in 1/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. J. George Cody

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Order: IC
Status: Accused

Died: 12/31/1964
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Born in Wales, U.K. Worked in Peoria for many years as a chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria , and on faculty of Corpus Christi High School in Galesburg. Died in 1964. In 2011 a woman publicly alleged that Cody abused her and other girls in the 1950s when she was a 12-year-old polio patient at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. She said that when she complained to the nurses, she was told to be quiet or the nurse could lose her job. At some point in the past she refused an offer of $17K in exchange for gag agreement.

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Fr. Louis Condon

Ordained: 1948
Status: Sued

Died: 02/17/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Diocese statement of 11/30/2005 said Condon was removed from active ministry in 1986 "due to circumstances not related to abuse of a minor." His death notice said he "retired" then. He was accused in a 2005 civil suit of improperly touching and fondling a girl between 1958 and 1960 when she was ages 6-9. He denied the allegations. Suit dismissed in 6/2007 by Court as filed beyond SOL. Died 2/17/2009. On Peoria's list in 12/2018.

Assignments:

Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Robert J. Creager

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 10/25/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Creager was one of seven priests asked to step down from public ministry in 5/2002 because of allegations of sexual abuse. Allegations were brought to the diocese's attention within the preceding two months. On diocese's list 12/2018. Died 10/25/2008. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Francis Engels

Ordained: 1962
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Engels and two other priests were accused of abusing a boy in 1973. The victim complained directly to Bishop Myers in 1992. Engels was not placed on leave until the family went to the media in 1993. Engels also admitted to abusing a boy in the 1980s. Bishop tried to reinstate him in 2002 but did not after second victim complained. Named in a 2004 civil suit which settled in 2005. Pleaded guilty in 4/2005 to sexually abusing a teenage altar boy during trips to Milwaukee in the early 1980s. Sentenced in 6/2005 to 10 years in WI prison. On Peoria's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 5 "reported survivors."

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Norman D. Goodman

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 08/1/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Monsignor. Beginning 8/1998, twelve young men filed suits alleging abuse as children by Goodman, mostly in the 1980s, and claimed that at least twice diocesan officials were informed but failed to take action. Other suits followed. Goodman "resigned" from his parish in 1997. Settlement with thirteen in 1999. Placed on permanent leave in 2002. Lawsuit filed in 2005, dropped, re-filed in 1/2006. This suit was dismissed in 6/2007 as beyond the statute of limitations. Named in a 4/2007 lawsuit. This suit, with others, were dismissed on the statute of limitations in 2007 and 2008. All suits to have been possibly reinstated in 1/2009. Suit claiming abuse of a boy 1991-1994 revived in 8/2016. Goodman died 8/1/2013. Included on the diocese's list of accused in 2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 19 survivors of abuse by Goodman shown in diocesan files.

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Fr. William Harbert

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 04/24/2003
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Publicly accused in 1993 of abusing three teenage siblings - a girl and two boys- in the early to mid-1970s. They first came forward in the early 1980s. In 6/2003 a man said that in 11/1992 he told Bishop Myers he was abused by Harbert beginning at age 14 in 1972 for two years, and by Fr. Francis Engles, and that he went to a news outlet in 2/1993 after no action from Myers. The story didn't run until 9/1993, after which the priests were removed from public ministry. They both admitted to the abuse. Harbert had been working as a nursing home chaplain. Another man said that in 10/1993 he told Myers the two priests had abused him in 1980, and another said Harbert molested him as a boy in 1969. Suit filed in 2/1004. Plaintiff claimed the Diocese knew of abuse in the 1970s. Settled in 2005. Another suit filed in 1/2007. One man said Harbert and Fr. Duane Leclercq abused him as a high school freshman in 1964, and that Harbert also abused his friends. Harbert died 4/24/2003. His name was included on the diocese's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It notes 12 reported survivors, of abuse in IL and FL.

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Fr. George H. Hiland

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Retired in 1994. Removed from public ministry in 11/2018 due to an allegation deemed credible of sexual misconduct with a minor about 50 years prior. Assignments 1958-1994 included St. Stephen's in Steator, St. John the Baptist in Fairbury, St. Patrick in Dwight and St. James in Forrest. Included on the diocese's list in 12/2018. Known in 2014 to be living in Sebastian, FL. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's report, which shows that in 10/2018 the diocese found a 1993 memo that Hiland sexually abused a 7th-8th grade altar boy in the mid-1960s. The survivor told A.G. investigators that Hiland took interest in him after his [the boy's] father died. The abuse happened often and in many places, and Hiland would reward the boy with gifts after each incident. Also, in 1993 Hiland was accused of abusing a child in the 1970s and admitted to abusing a second, leading to his 1994 retirement.

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Fr. Robert Thomas Hughes

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 12/31/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002. Hughes died 12/31/2016.

Assignments:

Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. William D. Isermann

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 12/9/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002." Isermann was removed in 1993 and died in 1996. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 3 "reported survivors."

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. J. Eugene Kane

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 07/28/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002." Kane died 7/28/2009. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. M. Duane Leclercq

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Retired in 2008. Admitted in 10/2018 to fondling a boy, age 16, in 1985. The boy informed police and Leclercq and then vicar general Myers were called to the station. There was no action and Leclercq was transferred to a new assignment. Admitted to also abusing another boy. Removed in 11/2018 from public ministry. On diocese's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It shows three reported allegations, including that that Leclercq and Fr. William Harbert sexually abused a high school freshman boy in 1964.

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Fr. John Edward Lohan

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 11/24/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002. Lohan died in 1993. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 3 "reported survivors."

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas W. Maloney

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 08/7/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Accused in a 6/2008 civil lawsuit of abusing an 8-year-old altar boy 1995-1996. Assigned to Epiphany parish in Normal. The lawsuit says a woman reported abuse in 1995 or 1996 and a second woman came forward to say that Maloney had molested her as a child in the 1970s. Maloney retired in 9/2002 because of "health reasons." He died 8/7/2009. Authorities found insufficient evidence to file criminal charges. The suit settled in 8/2013 for $1.35M.

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Catholic Post 9.22.02

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Fr. Thomas R. Miller

Ordained: 1979
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Parish priest and head of two parochial schools. Placed on leave in 2004 after a man alleged that he had been sexually assaulted as a minor by Miller in 1979 in Bloomington. Others came forward with similar allegations. Review board found at least one allegation credible. Laicized per 11/2006 article. His appeal to Rome to reverse laicization was denied in 720/10. On diocese's list in 12/2018.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. John M. Onderko

Ordained: 1962
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Retired in 2005. Removed in 11/2018 from public ministry due to allegations deemed credible of sexual misconduct about 55 years prior. Onderko adamantly denied the allegations and, as of 3/2020, was suing the diocese. Shown in 1/2020 on the diocese's list of accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Victorian Ostmeyer

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Died: 09/11/1970
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

In 2010 a woman reported to the Franciscans' Province of St. John the Baptist that Ostmeyer molested her as a child, beginning when she was in third grade at St. Mary's Parish School in Bloomington IL, and continuing for about four years. Ostmeyer died 9/11/1970. Included on the Franciscans' list as the subject of substantiated allegations. Included in 2/1022 on the Cincinnati archdiocese's list. Added to the Peoria diocese's list in 6/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Toussaint J. Perron

Order: WF
Ordained: 1959
Status: Convicted

Died: 08/23/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

"Fr. Jeff." From Canada. Worked in diocese since early 1970s. Removed from public ministry in 1992. Convicted 1993 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of boy, age 14, in rectory at St. John's in Walnut, IL during the summer and fall of 1992. Served three years. Also accused of abusing a 16- to 17-year-old boy 1982-1984 while at St. John's in Galva. Civil suit filed in 11/2005 by second victim, later dropped and refiled in 1/2007. Settled in 5/2008. Perron died 8/23/2011 in Quebec City. Included by 1/2020 on the Peoria diocese's list of accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's report.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Jerome Pilon

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Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Placed on leave in 1/2009 after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor dating back about 12 years, occurring outside of the diocese. Pilon denied the allegations. He was assigned to St. Anthony's in Hoopeston 1992-1998; Diocese said the victim was not associated with the parish. On diocese's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 6 "reported survivors" of abuse, occurring 1997-2003 in TX and MI.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Gregory J. Plunkett

Ordained: 1988
Status: Settled

Died: 10/2/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Removed in 5/2002 after allegations that Plunkett fondled a 13-year-old boy prior to his enrollment in seminary. Plunkett denied all allegations. Suspended after other allegations were received. Person with original complaint was also allegedly abused by priests Francis Engels and William Harbert. Filed suit in 2/2004. Settled in 3/2005. Criminally charged in 2003 with recently fondling a youth under age 17. Trial in 10/2004. Found not guilty. Died 10/02/2011, age 66. Included on the diocese's list in 2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 3 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Samuel D. Pusateri

Order: OSB
Ordained: 1979
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Pusateri worked as teacher, chaplain and counselor at St. Bede Academy near Peru, IL for 20 years. He received a 6-year jail sentence after pleading guilty in 1991 to abusing a teenage student 1989-1990. Moved the Joliet diocese as chaplain for the Franciscan sisters in Wheaton in 1995, there until 2004. Still a Benedictine and working in Rome per a 9/2010 newsletter from Most Rev. Marcel Rooney O.S.B., Abbot Primate. Moved by 2017-2018 to the Benedictine community at Sant'Anselmo. Included by 1/2020 on the Peoria diocese's list of accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes that he was still in active ministry in Rome in 2018.

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IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. John J. Ryan

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Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 02/19/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002." Ryan died in 2000. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. Donald R. Schladen

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 08/29/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Peoria on its list in 6/2024. Died 8/29/2001.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Diocese of Peoria List 06.26.24

Fr. Laurence C. Schumacher

Ordained: 1930
Status: Accused

Died: 01/8/1980
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Named publicly by the diocese on its list sometime after 12/2018. Categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002. Schumacher died in 1980. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Sister Mary Jane

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Order: SMP
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Accused in a 2005 suit of sexually abusing a girl age 6-7 in 1960-1961 at St. Patrick Catholic School in Washington. Her current status was unknown in 2005.

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Fr. Richard Slavish

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 02/18/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Slavish and six other priests were placed on leave by the bishop in 5/2002 after allegations of abuse involving minors. Privileges were revoked. Slavish was scheduled to retire in summer of 2002 but he reportedly retired in April. Slavish apparently held parish assignments during his entire career except 1969-1971, when he was chaplain at East Moline State Hospital. Died 2/18/2016. Included in 2018 on the diocese's list of accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 3 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Bernard Tomaszewski

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Ordained: 1924
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Added in early 2019 to the diocese's list, categorized under "removed from ministry due to allegation of abuse of a minor before 2002 or, determined to have substantial evidence of abuse of a minor before 2002. Removed from ministry in 1946. Deceased. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Peoria Assignment Record

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Fr. John B. Turnbull

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Placed on leave in 2005 after Turnbull's order learned of allegations that he abused a boy in the late 1970s. The boy was a student at St. Anthony's School in Streator, IL. Turnbull also worked in IN and OH. He was pastor of Holy Family in Oldenburg, IN in 2005. Name included on the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese's list updated 4/1/2019, noting that he died in 2017. (Some news reports state that he was still living in 2019 at a Franciscan retirement community in Cincinnati). On Peoria diocese's list by 1/2020. On the Franciscan Friars, St. John the Baptist list of those with substantiated allegations against them. On the Cincinnati archdiocese's list in 2/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Michael R. Van Acker

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Peoria IL

Medical center chaplain and former chaplain at several high schools. Placed on leave in 6/2002 when the diocese received allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in the early 1980s. Reportedly went on leave of absence in 1992 prior to his assignment to the medical center. On the diocese's list in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 7 "reported survivors."

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