Fr. William J. Spine

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1973
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Worked in Peru, Brooklyn NY, Moline IL, Chicago IL, and Lexington KY. Spent time 1990-1991 in Berkeley, CA. He was a teacher, parish assistant and pastor, and associate director of a diocesan hispanic ministry office. Removed from active ministry in 2/2006, several months after the Jesuits received a credible allegation that Spine sexually abused a teenage boy while assigned to Peru in the mid-1970s. The boy was Spine’s student. The Official Catholic Directory shows that Spine was living in Rome from 2007 to at least 2010. Included on the Jesuits Midwest Province list in 12/2018. On the Diocese of Lexington’s list in 8/2020, where he worked 2001-2006 at St. Paul’s. Included on the Chicago archdiocese’s list in 10/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes at least three “reported survivors,” of abuse in Lexington KY, Tacna Peru, Bronx NY and Brooklyn NY.


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