Fr. Louis C. Shea

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 11/5/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Added on 6/18/2019 to the Springfield IL diocese’s list of accused priests, as a ‘substantiated case of sexual abuse of a minor.’ No abuse facts given. Two survivors contacted BA. One stated Shea visited her home and took her to her room at bedtime to “pray over me,” molesting her weekly 1962-1965 at age 7-10, touching her sexually skin-to-skin. She informed the diocese in 2002, 2004, 2019. Shea was already abusing her sister, who stated he sexually touched her 60-100 times in 1960-1964 at age 6-9, until she pushed him out of her bed. A therapist suggested she call Shea. She did so circa 1985. He said, “I have no recollection.” The girls were abused during Shea’s 2nd and 3rd assignments and while he started work as a Catholic Charities official. Shortly after the abuse ended, Shea was temporarily pulled from his Catholic Charities position and worked as a hospital chaplain, then back at Catholic Charities and as a pastor. One sister has been contacted by other Shea victims. Shea died 11/15/1996. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.


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