Fr. James M. Janssen

Ordained for the Diocese of Davenport, despite warnings about his behavior. Accused of assaulting at least 36 boys over three decades ages 5-18, beginning in 1953. Often interacted with other abusers. Used pornography. Accused in 1955 of abusing two boys at a Newton, IA YMCA. Placed on leave. Sent to a Hinsdale IL parish in the Joliet diocese 11/1956-6/1958 while in treatment in Chicago. Allowed to work at the parish with the Boy Scouts and teenagers. Abused. Sent back to Davenport, admitted to abusing. Kept in ministry. Placed on leave in 1990, retired from active ministry in 1991, laicized in 2004. Sued in 2003. Settlement of $9M involving 37 allegations. Ordered to spend 6 months in jail for contempt of court 1/2008. Charged in 7/2008 with three counts of perjury. On the diocese’s 7/2008 list of credibly accused. Received two years probation for perjury 6/2009. Personnel files released 4/30/2014 show allegation of abuse of a boy while working in Hinsdale, IL, in the Joliet diocese. Living at motel in Bettendorf, IA as of 5/2014. Said he was dying of lung cancer at age 90. Died 6/10/2015. In 3/2018 a man stated publicly that Janssen abused him at age 12 and that he coordinated abuse by Frs. Francis Bass, Anthony Geers and James W. Murphy. Added to the Joliet diocese’s list in 12/2019. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.