Fr. Joseph R. Schwaegel

Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Died: 07/13/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Former Vicar General. Monsignor. The “singing priest.” Civil suit filed 8/1999 alleging abuse of an 8-year-old boy in 1973. Refiled as federal case 2001. Some charges dismissed on SOL in 2003. Case settled 2/2003. Admitted to being “a sex addict.” At least two arrests for solicitation. Left ministry 1994 due to his sex addition, not his alleged abuse of minors. Other alleged victims have come forward. Testified in Kownacki trial 8/2008. Diocesan website gave his status 1/24/2009 as “Administrative Leave/Retired.” Died 7/13/2016. On diocese’s list 12/19/2018. Suit 7/19/2019 claims abuse 1987-1989 of a boy, beginning when the boy was a 6-year-old kindergartener at Cathedral Grade School. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.

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