Diocese of Rockford IL - BishopAccountability.org

21 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Edwin Banach

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 11/23/1985
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

In 9/2002 the Order began investigating allegations that Banach abused two boys between 1963 and 1970 at St. Anthony of Padua. One person alleged abuse and the other alleged that Banach made sexual overtures. Banach spent the first nine years of his ministry at St. Anthony's, moved to a parish in California, then returned in 1963 to St. Anthony's. In 1970 Banach was transferred back to California. He died in 1984.

Sources:

Rockford Register Star 06.21.03

Br. Joseph J. Charron

Order: OSB
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

"Brother Andre." Prior to joining the Benedictine order, was a member of the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd since 1979. Worked with that order in Momence and Lombard IL, (Diocese of Joliet), Albuquerque NM (Archdiocese of Santa Fe) and Miami FL (Archdiocese of Miami). Was the Little Brothers' secretary general 1997-2002. Entered the Benedictine's Marmion Monastery in Aurora IL around 2004. In 9/2021 a former Marmion Academy student reported to police that he had been sexually abused by Charron, who was a faculty member at the school. Charron was placed on leave. In 4/2022 he was criminally charged on eight counts of sex abuse and assault. Pleaded guilty to battery in 4/2024. Sentenced to 180 days in jail and 30 months' probation. Received credit for almost 700 days of home confinement. Paid over $35K in restitution. Included in 4/2024 on the Diocese of Rockford's list.

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Fr. Mark A. Campobello

Ordained: 1991
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Removed from assignment at Aurora Central Catholic High School in 2/2000 due to an "ongoing and public relationship ...with a junior girl." Admitted to some "physical contact." Sent for evaluation and treatment, then assigned to a new parish. Arrested in 12/2002 after an 18-year-old girl alleged he sexually abused her at age 14 when he was assistant principal and spiritual director at her school. Placed on leave. Indicted again in 10/2003 on charges that he molested another girl 1999-2000 in a different county. Pleaded guilty in 2004. Sentenced to 8 years (4 for each girl). Two civil suits filed in 2004; settled in 5/2007 for $2.2M. At least one more credible accuser. Laicized in 6/2005. Released from prison 2/13/2008. Back in prison in 4/2008 on a parole violation; soon released. Back in 4/2009. Released 7/28/2010. Last known to be living in Crystal Lake, IL. On diocese's list 11/14/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Harlan B. Clapsaddle

Ordained: 1977
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Removed from ministry in 2002. Accused of inappropriately touching three brothers over three years, beginning in 1977. Their mother reported the abuse to the Diocese in 1993. Clapsaddle denied the allegations, which the Diocese accepted. The brothers contacted the Diocese in 12/1996; he was removed from his parish in 1/1997 and sent for treatment. Reassigned in 11/1997, as chaplain to a nursing home in a "monitored setting." The Diocese paid the three victims a total of $80K. In 3/2002 he was removed from the nursing home assignment after a new claim, of abuse over three years in the mid-1980s. Nursing home officials said they knew nothing about his past record. On diocese's list 11/14/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 6 "reported survivors." Died in 2018.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. Thomas Considine

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Died: 03/31/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/14/2018. Noted to have been removed from ministry in 4/1980. Died in 3/1988. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 5 "reported survivors" and that the Diocese claims it first received a report in 2002. Sexually abused three brothers in the 1970s, whose father had recently died. Plied them with alcohol. One died by suicide in 1978. One called the Diocese several times in the late 1980s to report the abuse, but no response. The Attorney General's Report states "Considine was a serial abuser who preyed on young boys in vulnerable circumstances."

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Matthew DeBlock

Ordained: 2008
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

On 9/19/2024 the diocese announced that DeBlock was being investigated for an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. The alleged abuse occurred while DeBlock was assigned to Boylan Central Catholic High School 2012-2014. Resigned, due to the allegation, from assignment at St. John Neumann in St. Charles. Prohibited from ministry during investigation.

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Fr. Theodore Feely

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Died: 09/25/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Feely worked in IL, CA and NV. In 2002 two men separately alleged Feely abused them as boys in IL 1968-1972. One of the men filed a civil suit in 2/2006 against the Rockford Diocese claiming Feely repeatedly sexually abused him, including rape, at age 13 in 1969. The man said the abuse started on a four-day trip to the Wisconsin Dells. He said he was awakened by the priest choking him, and was then sodomized. Feely's accuser also said he told another priest during confession, who pulled him out of the confessional, said he was evil then pushed him down the stairs. The lawsuit was dismissed on SOL. Feely died in NV in 1991. On Rockford diocese's list 11/14/2018. On Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/2019. On Stockton diocese's list 11/12/2020; worked there at St. George's 1981-1982. Included on the Chicago archdiocese's list in 10/2022 (name misspelled 'Feeley.') Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Deacon Michael Frazier

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Ordained as a permanent deacon in 1982. Retired in 2011. On the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/2018. Noted to have been removed from ministry by the Diocese of Knoxville in 2/2014 and faculties removed by Rockford the same month. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. James Gaynor

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Died: 06/1/1991
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

In 2000 a man reported to the Diocese that when he was ages 4-5 in 1963-1965, Gaynor repeatedly sexually abused him. The Diocese told the man that Gaynor had died of AIDS in 1991. The man said he refused to sign an agreement offering counseling in exchange for releasing the Diocese from liabilities or damages. The same man came forward again in 2002.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Rockford Register Star 08.23.02

Fr. Al F. Harte

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Died: 08/24/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

A woman filed suit 1/31/2014 alleging that Harte and two other priests, "Fr. Bob" and "Fr. Allen", abused her on multiple occasions 1978-1980 when she was a student at Holy Family Catholic School. Harte was at the parish 1976-1989. The suit claims the Diocese know of his behavior before her abuse. He died 8/24/2002.

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Fr. John C. Holdren

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Died: 04/16/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Accused in a lawsuit filed 9/8/2015 of sexually abusing a 7- to 9-year-old boy in the early 1970s at St. Rita's of Cascia in Aurora. Abuse allegedly included fondling and sodomy. Accuser said several of his friends told him they were abused, too. Holdren denied abuse of the boy. Took a long-term leave of absence in 1994 after he was injured in a reported home invasion. Diocese stated in 9/2015 that he was no longer an active priest, but Holdren told a reporter he was still active, helping out at a local parish. On diocese's list 11/14/2018. It noted he was removed from ministry in 7/1994 "for reason not related to a child abuse allegation." Died 4/16/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 3 "reported survivors."

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. William I. Joffe

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Died: 04/21/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Placed on leave in 12/1987 for mismanaging parish funds. Pleaded guilty in 1981 to embezzling $264K from his parish; sentenced to 1 year in prison and 5 years probation. Reassigned in 1992 to a parish. Placed on leave again in 1993 after an allegation that he sexually abused a boy in the late 1960s. Sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Lived in KY and FL for the next ten years, doing odd jobs. Another complaint received in 2002, of abuse of a freshman boy at Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling in the early 1970s, where Joffe was director of religious education. Two more allegations received in 2004, of abuse in 1979 and 1983. Five more in 7/2005, of abuse 1969-1983. Suit filed in 2/2006. "Removed from priesthood" in 8/1993. On diocese's list 11/14/2018. Noted to have died in 4/2008 in Ft. Meyers, FL. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 10 "reported survivors."

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Assignment Record

Sources:

Fr. Walter E. Johnson

Order: MM
Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 04/14/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused on the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/2018. Noted to have been removed by his Order in 4/1988, reinstated in 9/1988, then removed again in 4/1993. Worked in the Chicago IL archdiocese, Bolivia, and the Dioceses of Rockford IL and San Jose CA. Moved to Maryknoll NY in 2004. Died 4/14/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes six "reported survivors."

Assignments:

Maryknoll Mission Archives 04.14.18

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Fr. Peter D. Kohler

Order: MS
Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Died: 06/28/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Assigned in LA, MO, MI, Madagascar. Lived at the La Salette House in Hartford CT 2011 until his death in 2014. Named publicly as credibly accused by the the Diocese of Rockford on its list 11/14/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which shows that in 2017 a man reported that when he was 12 years old in 1999, Kohler raped him during confession at St. Joseph's in Lena, IL. Kohler was filling in for an absent priest. The boy told his father the same night, who said he would take care of it. Kohler did not return to the parish.

Sources:

Br. Richard Kuhl

Order: MSC
Status: Sued

Died: 07/1/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Professed final vows in 1954. In about 1996 five women filed four lawsuits alleging abuse by Kuhl when they were children. All dismissed in 1/2000 by the IL Supreme Court due to the statute of limitations. A woman filed a suit 11/2003 claiming Kuhl abused her 1974-1982. The suit also says the mother of another victim had complained to the Order before 1974 and that nothing was done, and that there were at least six victims. Kuhl died in 2009. Included on the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/2018. On the Sacred Heart Missionaries USA Province list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Sources:

Fr. Christopher LeMay

Donate Photo

Order: MSC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province on its list in 2020. It notes allegation(s) received in 2018, and that he died in 1995.

Sources:

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart U.S. List accessed 10.27.20

Br. Patrick O’Hara

Order: MSC
Status: Accused

Died: 05/17/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province on its list of credibly accused in 2020. It notes allegation(s) reported in 2005. It does not reveal when or where the abuse took place. O'Hara died in 5/17/2008. Per his obituary, he entered Sacred Heart Mission Seminary in 1957 and professed final vows in 1969. He taught in Geneva and St. Charles IL early on, then spent many years in Papua New Gunea, Diocese of Kavieng. He returned to the U.S. in 2004 "due to poor health" and soon "took up residence" at the Paraclete's Vianney Renewal Center in MO.

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Fr. Alfredo Pedraza-Arias

Ordained: 1992
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Arrived in diocese in 2013 from Colombia. Worked in Hispanic Ministry and in two Aurora parishes. Arrested 2/11/2016, charged with criminal sexual abuse of two girls between 1/2009 and 11/2014. The girls were under the age of 6. Under investigation since 10/2014, when allegations were reported to civil authorities and the Diocese of Rockford IL. Suspended from ministry 10/30/2014. Pleaded not guilty in 9/2016. Trial scheduled for 9/18/2017. Delayed, set for 11/27/2017. Delayed, set for 2/2018. Detained by US immigration and faced deportation to Columbia in 7/2017. Police looking to charge him also with fondling a 3-year-old girl when he worked in DeKalb. In a 2/9/2018 plea deal, not required to register as sex offender; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor. Released from jail 2/10/2018. Deportation expected. Deported to Colombia 2/26/2018. Included in the 6/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Leo Petit

Order: MSC
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 03/21/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Petit's name appeared in 2020 on the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province list of those with credible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors. It notes allegation(s) against Petit reported in 1993. He retired in 2001. Died 3/21/2014. Per his obituary, Petit taught for 14 years at Sacred Heart Seminary, was director in communication/vocation positions, and did mission work in Colombia, South America. Added 10/21/2020 to the Diocese of Rockford's list. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Sources:

Br. Jerome Skaja

Brother Jerome Skaja in a 1987 Marmion Military Academy yearbook. Provided

Order: OSB
Status: Settled

Died: 01/30/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

In 10/2022 a man publicly stated that Skaja sexually assaulted him numerous times in the 1980s when he was a prepubescent student at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora. The man said he told the dean of students, Rev. Vincent Bataille, who told him to keep it quiet. He said he also told some classmates and that the mother of one of them allegedly confronted the abbot, Rev. David Cyr, to no avail. Skaja remained at the school. His accuser received a settlement from the Benedictines at some point. The Order was reportedly investigating allegations against Skaja as of 10/2022. Skaja died in 2016. In 2/2023 the Order admitted that Skaja was accused multiple times of molesting minors in the 1970s and 1980s, and that the allegations were "true." He was dismissed from the Order in 1988. Included on the Benedictines of Marmion Abbey list 2/24/2023. Included on the Rockford diocese's list 3/6/2023. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 5 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Joseph J. M. Tully

Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused

Died: 12/18/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named as accused on the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/2018. Noted to have retired in 1971 and died 12/18/1982. On the Diocese of Beaumont, TX list 1/31/2019. On Galveston-Houston's list 1/31/2019. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least 7 "reported survivors," and that the diocese claims its first allegations against Tully were reported in 1948.

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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.