Fr. Richard Wayne Fassbinder

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 05/1/2004
Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Retired in 1997. Privileges were removed in 4/2002 after the archdiocesan review board determined “reasonable cause” to suspect that Fassbinder had sexually abused a male minor during his assignment at Prince of Peace Parish. Abuse was said to have begun in 1974 and ended in the mid-1980s. Allegations were first reported in 12/2001. Died in 5/2004. Name also on the 2003 Archdiocesan list of abusers. Per documents released by the Archdiocese in 11/2014, Fassbinder admitted to taking nude photos of and a “sexual relationship” with a boy, beginning in 1974 when the boy was age 16 and continuing for 15 years; he said he didn’t know the boy was a minor. He was kept in ministry for two years after his admission. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.


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