Fr. James A. Nowak

Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 09/30/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Retired in 2007 from SS Peter and Paul in Naperville. Member of Montini Catholic High School board of directors. Removed without privileges in 8/2012 after an allegation of sex abuse of a minor occurring about 25 years prior. Per the 1989 Official Catholic Directory, he was assigned to St. Anthony’s in Joliet. Review Board deemed the allegation credible. Matter sent to Rome. Still pending in 4/2014. Named in new suit 5/15/2013. Named as one of five priests in a $4.137 million lawsuit settled in 4/2015. Settlements with eight men claiming abuse by Nowak as minors. Per diocese’s list updated in 12/2018, Nowak was permanently removed from ministry. He died 9/30/20. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes 28 “reported survivors.”


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