Fr. Justin Steponaitis
From Lithuania, where he was ordained. Assigned in Lithuania, Germany, then England. In 1953 he was sent to Dallas, TX, where he worked in parishes, arriving in the Diocese of Worcester in 1954. Longtime pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Athol. Accused in a 1993 lawsuit of sexually abusing an altar boy at St. Francis of Assisi 1971-1976. The lawsuit also said that the priest abused numerous other children. Steponaitis denied all allegations. He retired in 1987 and died in 11/1994. The suit had been dismissed by 1997. Also accused in 2004 of sexually abusing a boy 1980-1986; the Worcester and Spokane dioceses provided therapy.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.