ROCKFORD (IL)
WIFR-TV, Ch. 23 [Rockville IL]
July 16, 2025
By Sydni Stoffregen
Father Herman Porter, who died in 1986, joins the list of the Diocese of Rockford Priests against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported.
Details of the abuse have not been released. In February, diocese officials updated their list of priests who have credible sexual abuse of a minor allegations against them, adding Porter’s name.
The list has been posted and made available on the diocesan website since 2018.
The Diocese of Rockford, on Feb. 17, 2025, updated its list of priests against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported. The update was made to include the name of the late Father Herman Porter.
Father Porter was ordained in 1947 and served the Rockford Diocese as pastor of St. Therese of Jesus Church of Aurora, 1970-1979; administrator of St. Ann Church in Warren, 1967-1968; associate pastor at St. Mary Church, Rockford, 1964, (now an oratory); assistant at Sacred Heart Church, Sterling in 1963 and as Chaplain pro-tem at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Belvidere, from June to Sept., 1963, now closed.
Father Porter retired from the active priesthood in July, 1979 and died April 3, 1986.
Per diocesan policy, parishioners at parishes where Father Porter served, even though briefly, were notified and his name has now been added to the Diocese of Rockford’s list of priests against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been substantiated.Diocese of Rockford
Porter was ordained in 1947 and served in several churches throughout Northern Illinois, including St. Mary Church of Rockford and St. Joseph’s Hospital of Belvidere. He retired in 1979.
According to the Black Catholic Messenger, in 1968, the late priest organized the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, an organization that advocates for the needs of Black Catholics within the Church.
The Diocese says that if you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the diocesan clergy, religious, church employee or volunteer, please first call your local police in the county in which the abuse occurred, and then call the diocesan hotline at 815-293-7540.
Larry Antonsen, with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, invites survivors to reach out to him directly. His number is 773-255-3382 or send him an email at chicagosnapnetwork@gmail.com.