Diocese of Springfield IL - BishopAccountability.org

26 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Alvin L. Campbell

Ordained: 1952
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 12/2/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Ordained for the Diocese of Springfield IL. U.S. Army Chaplain 1963-1977. Resigned from the Army when confronted with "a moral problem with boys/young men." Diocese was informed in 1/1978, yet assigned Campbell as parish pastor. Named pastor of another parish in 1979, where allegations surfaced in 1/1980. Admitted in 12/1981 to abuse of a girl. Reassigned. Worked 1982-1985 at St. Maurice in Morrisonville where he abused 26 children. Arrested in 1985 for abuse of boys, ages 11-15. Owned child porn. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 14 years prison. Released in 1992. Bishop requested laicization in 1989 but was denied by CDF prefect Cardinal Ratzinger because Campbell did not agree. He later agreed and was laicized, possibly in 1992. Died 12/2/2002. At least one civil suit settled in a 2004 mass settlement. Six more victims from 1970s and early 1980s settled with the Diocese in 1/2007 for $625K. On Diocese's list 11/29/18. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It notes reports that Campbell sexually abused 33 children in the diocese.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report 05.23.23

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Fr. Joseph D. Cernich

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Assigned to parishes, active in Teens Encounter Christ, taught summer school at Griffin High, and was a Christian Family Camps staff member. Faculties removed in 4/1995. Worked in Catholic Charities administration offices until 2002. Laicized in 6/2003. Went on to work for the city of Springfield. First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list released 11/29/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 4 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Eugene E. Costa

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Died: 11/2/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/29/2018. Worked at Holy Family in Decatur 1987-1993. Beaten by two males, ages 15 and 17 in a Springfield park in 12/2004 after he propositioned them for sex. Removed from ministry. Laicized 10/12/2007. Died 11/2/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Garrett Neal Dee

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Ordained for the Springfield IL diocese. In treatment for about a year before assigned in 1988 to the Diocese of Amarillo, TX. In 4/2002 a man told the Springfield diocese that Dee abused him in the 1960s in IL. The man's attorney wrote directly to the Amarillo diocese in June, and Dee was placed on leave. Dee admitted to sexual misconduct with minors in the Diocese of Springfield. At least one more man from TX contacted local papers after story about Dee alleging he was molested by the priest in Groom, TX. On Springfield diocese's list 11/29/2019. It notes his removal from active ministry 7/31/2002. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 4 "reported survivors."

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Fr. Robert DeGrand

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Removed 9/2013 from parishes in Sigel, Neoga, Green Creek and Lillyville after new allegation of sexual misconduct against a minor dating back to 1980 when he was assigned to Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville, IL Temporarily removed. Review Board found allegations credible 1/2014 and matter to be sent to Vatican for further action. To remain on leave. Civil and criminal authorities notified. No criminal prosecution due to SOL. On diocese's list 11/29/2018. Not in active ministry since 5/1/2015. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Robert Dodd

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Died: 03/28/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Began a 'relationship' with 15-year-old girl which continued for several years. Her mother complained to the parish in 1968. After several months Dodd was transferred, to a parish in the city where the girl was attending college. Dodd married and left the priesthood in 1971. Became an attorney and served as mayor of Champaign 1983-1987. Civil suit filed in 1994. Court ruled in 11/1996 that case could go forward. Dodd died 3/28/2013. Name included on the diocese's 11/29/2018 list of those with substantiated allegations. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Kevin J. Downey

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish in Triangle VA from 2011. On 5/28/2016 the Arlington VA diocese quietly announced Downey's suspension during an investigation of sexual misconduct with a male minor, alleged to have occurred in 1990 'in another state.' Per the Official Catholic Directory, Downey was working at Quincy College in the Springfield IL diocese in 1990. Downey denied the allegation. He has worked in NY, IL, NJ, NC, and VA. Province announced on 4/24/2017 that the claim was found to be credible. Downey removed permanently from all public ministries. On the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/2018. On the Francisans' Holy Name Province list in 10/2021. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Michael Owen Driscoll

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Died: 05/15/1989
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Monsignor. Censor Librorum for the diocese 1942-1960. Chancellor and General Counsel 1957-1960. Pastor 1960-1989 of Our Saviour in Jacksonville. Died 5/15/1989. Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Robert Eagear

Ordained: 1928
Status: Accused

Died: 09/22/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 9/22/1984. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. George Faller

Ordained: 1918
Status: Accused

Died: 10/23/1975
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 10/23/1975. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes three "reported survivors," of abuse 1954-1956 at St. Boniface in Edwardsville.

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Fr. Ray Franzen

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Died: 10/4/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 10/4/1987. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Joseph Havey

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Died: 08/21/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Accused in a 1993 lawsuit of sexually abusing at least five boys in the 1970s-1980s, ages 10-14, while pastor of St. Agnes. The boys were students at the parish school. Per the suit, Harvey provided pornography, drugs and alcohol, and that Havey forced the boys to perform sado-masochistic acts on him to "cleanse me of my sins." The suit was dismissed in 1995 due to the statute of limitations and dismissal upheld by appeals court. Two other claims were pending at that time. Havey had reportedly left the priesthood and married, and in 1993 was living in St. Augustine, FL. At least some claims settled as part of a 2004 $3M mass settlement. Laicized 2/17/2006. On diocese's list of those with substantiated allegations released 11/29/2018. Havey died at his home in FL 8/21/2017. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. George Kromenaker

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Died: 05/10/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 5/10/2010. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes at least one "reported survivor," of abuse in 1967.

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Fr. Peter Mascari

Ordained: 1952
Status: Settled

Died: 12/30/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

In 1993 a woman told the diocese that Mascari began grooming her from the age of 8, then began sexually abusing her when she was 18 in 1975 and until 1989. She told her story in a book in 2007, and first spoke his name publicly in 2019. She said she settled with the diocese in 1994. Mascari died in 2002.

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Fr. Richard Niebrugge

Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

A woman filed suit in 2004 alleging that Niebrugge abused her for many years, beginning when she was 10, and that he had fathered her child which was born in 1978. The woman had been taken from an abusive family and lived with Niebrugge for many years in various rectories. Niebrugge died in 1983. Suit dismissed on statute of limitations and dismissal upheld by 5th District Appellate Court in 8/06.

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Fr. Joseph Cullen O’Brien

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 03/27/1978
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 3/27/1978. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. The Diocese claims it first received an allegation of abuse by O'Brien in 2004. In 2015 a man reported sexual abuse by O'Brien at age 12 in 1968, saying O'Brien was charismatic and a "master manipulator." Another man reported that O'Brien abused him as a teenager in the 1970s. The priest groomed him with expensive meals and trips to FL, where the abuse occurred. He later gave the boy $500. As of 5/2023, more than a dozen people had come forward with allegations that O'Brien sexually abused them young boys, from the 1940-1976.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. Frank J. O’Hara

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Died: 04/19/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Two women filed suit in 9/2008 accusing O'Hara of sexually abusing them as girls between 1971 and 1978 while he was assigned to St. Kevin's Catholic Church in Rosewood Heights. He died in 4/2006 at age 90. Included on the diocese's 1/29/2018 list of those with substantiated allegations. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes 5 "reported survivors."

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Fr. James Patrick O’Hara

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Died: 11/15/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Added on 6/18/2019 to the Springfield diocesan list of accused priests, as the subject of a substantiated case of sexual abuse of a minor. Died 11/15/1987. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Bishop Daniel L. Ryan

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Died: 12/31/2015
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Chancellor and auxiliary bishop of the Joliet diocese. Elevated to Springfield IL bishop in 1983. Named as a co-defendant in a 1999 lawsuit by three men who alleged he failed to act against sexual misconduct by clergy because he was involved in homosexual relationships. Resigned as Bishop of Springfield when the suit was filed. Suspended from all public ministry in 2002 amid allegations that he had abused a minor in 1984. Died 12/31/2015. Included on the Springfield diocese's list 11/29/2018. Added to the Joliet diocese's list 12/12/2019. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. One man told investigators that Bishop Ryan sexually abused him, including rape, over a few years, beginning when he was an 11-year-old altar boy in 1984. Another man said that when he was 15, Ryan offered him $50 if he would allow the Bishop to strip naked massage him with baby oil. He resisted and escaped when Ryan tried to have sex with him. Ryan was also accused in 1995 of sexually abusing two children, with no action by the Diocese. He continued to abuse one of them for four more years.

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Fr. Louis Schlangen

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Retired in 2007. Accused in a 10/18 lawsuit of the sexual abuse of a girl 1973-75, when she was about 5 to 7 years old. The girl and her family were parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul in Springfield. Schlangen's accuser said she met with Bishop Lucas in 2007, and that no action was taken against Schlangen. He celebrated his 60th anniversary as a priest in 4/17. Per news, he was deceased by 10/18.

Sources:

Catholic Times 04.30.17
Scottsbluff Star Herald 10.23.18

Fr. Aloysius Schwellenbach

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1928
Status: Accused

Died: 09/15/2000
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Died 9/15/2000. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes four "reported survivors."

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Fr. Louis C. Shea

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 11/5/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Added on 6/18/2019 to the Springfield IL diocese's list of accused priests, as a 'substantiated case of sexual abuse of a minor.' No abuse facts given. Two survivors contacted BA. One stated Shea visited her home and took her to her room at bedtime to "pray over me," molesting her weekly 1962-1965 at age 7-10, touching her sexually skin-to-skin. She informed the diocese in 2002, 2004, 2019. Shea was already abusing her sister, who stated he sexually touched her 60-100 times in 1960-1964 at age 6-9, until she pushed him out of her bed. A therapist suggested she call Shea. She did so circa 1985. He said, "I have no recollection." The girls were abused during Shea's 2nd and 3rd assignments and while he started work as a Catholic Charities official. Shortly after the abuse ended, Shea was temporarily pulled from his Catholic Charities position and worked as a hospital chaplain, then back at Catholic Charities and as a pastor. One sister has been contacted by other Shea victims. Shea died 11/15/1996. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Francis Tebangura

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publlicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/2018. Not in active ministry since 3/10/2006. Reportedy returned to his native Uganda. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Walter M. Weerts

Ordained: 1960
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

At least 22 victims, spanning his priesthood. Pleaded guilty in 1986 to abuse of three boys. Sentenced to six years in prison. Released after three years. Pre-sentencing report says officials knew for 18 years that Weerts was sexually involved with boys. Diocese settled with three in 1987. Laicized in 1989. In the early 1990s Fr. Kevin Laughery wrote a letter of recommendation for Weerts, enabling him employment as a teacher at a community college in FL. The position led to his teaching at a high school and giving talks to students at a middle school. Some of his college students had Weerts babysit their children. Settlements of eight more claims in 2004 for total of $1.2M. New suit filed in 11/2007 alleged abuse 1968-1970. On diocese's list released 11/29/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's report. Abused around 20 young boys prior to the 1985 criminal charge. In 1962 Fr. Frank Westhoff (also later credibly accused) told Bishop O'Connor of Weerts behavior with boys. No action. In the early 1960s the father of an 11-year-old boy told the bishop Weerts sexually abused his son. Weerts was moved. Another boy was drugged then sodomized while unconscious by Weerts at age 14 in 1967, and raped again on two other occasions. This victim told A.G. investigators that Weerts was abusing four or five other boys during that time. Another said Weerts abused him for eight years or so, beginning when he was in fifth grade. Weerts was moved again in 1978 after parents reported he was abusing their son. Received treatment in 1979. Pastor of two parishes in 6/1980 until arrested in 1985. As of 5/2023, there were 22 reports of abuse of boys by Weerts.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. Frank D. Westhoff

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 01/7/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Transferred to the Crosier Seminary in Onmia MN in 1986 after an allegation that he abused a 14-year-old in the sacristy of St. Patrick's in Decatur IL in 6/1966. Sent in 1987 to the Jefferson City MO diocese. Last assignment in MO ended in 2000. Retired in 2003. Died in 1/2006. At least one additional molestation case was reported to the Jefferson City diocese in 2006. On Jefferson City diocese's list 11/8/2018. On Springfield IL diocese's list 11/29/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It shows that in 8/2002 a man reported he was sexually assaulted as a young teen by Westhoff in 1966 in the sacristy of St. Patrick's in Decatur. The Review Board said it couldn't come to a consensus as to whether the abuse occurred. Added to the Diocese's list in 2018 after this victim spoke with A.G. investigators.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. Stanislaus Yunker

Ordained: 1944
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named in a 10/18 lawsuit as having sexually abused a girl 1972-75, when she was ages 4-7. Longtime pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Springfield. Died in 1975.

Sources:

Scottsbluff Star Herald 10.23.18

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.