Fr. John C. Slown

Ordained: 1959
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Sexually abused at least twenty children, according to diocesan files. In and out of treatment, moved from parish to parish. Convicted of sexually abusing a boy in DuPage County in 1983. Sent to treatment. Reassigned. Removed from ministry in 1986 in New Mexico, where he had gone for treatment and was then assigned to a parish. Slown said he left the priesthood because he was an alcoholic. In 10/2003 two brothers filed suit alleging abuse by Frs. Slown, Richard Ruffalo and Arno Dennerlein. The suit claimed the abuse occurred in Illinois for several years and, for the younger boy, later in New Jersey. May have also abused the boys’ three brothers. Included in 4/2006 on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. The diocese agreed in 3/2013 to release personnel files as part of settlement in Rudofski v Joliet & Bennett. Files released 4/30/2014. Per the diocese’s list in 5/2022, Slown died in 2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report. 


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