Fr. Edward A. Stefanich

Stefanich abused a 15-year-old girl for 16 months 1985-1986. The Church was warned by a counselor about the relationship in 1986; they promised to handle it but did nothing until 1987, after Stefanich proposed marriage and the girl’s parents complained. He was removed then. Stefanich was indicted and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced in 1987 to six months in jail and a year of counseling. Laicized in 1988. Police admitted they knew he had also abused another girl. Settled with family in 4/1988 for $450K. In a suit filed in 9/2003 a man accused him of abuse 1969-1970. His name was included in 4/2006 on the diocese’s list of credibly accused. Stefanich died in 2016, per the diocese’s list updated in 12/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes at least 5 “reported survivors.”