Fr. John C. Anderson

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.”