Fr. Joseph Owens

Donate Photo
Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Named publicly in 3/20/2006 Archdiocesan Report as a priest with a substantiated allegation. Resigned in 4/1970; laicized in 4/1971. Accused of abuse at St. Philomena in 1969. At least one claim included a $12.7M settlement involving 11 priests and 16 plaintiffs in 8/2008. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes seven “reported survivors,” of abuse 1965-1968 in Chicago and 1965-1967 in Minnesota, and that the Archdiocese first received a report of abuse by Owens in 1968.


Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.