Fr. Bruce Wellems
Admitted to his Order in 1995 that when he was age 15, he sexually abused a 7-year-old boy multiple times. His victim had come forward to the Chicago Archdiocese. Wellems was sent for assessment and treatment, then allowed to return to ministry in 7/1996. He was working in Los Angeles in 2014, as prefect of the apostolate for the Claretians, when removed by Archbishop Gomez, who had become aware of Wellems history of abusing a child. He returned to Chicago and in 3/2015 resumed work with at-risk youth. He was removed within a few months after an investigation by the Dept. of Children and Family Services of Wellems’ history. His victim sued the Claretians and received a settlement. Wellems left the Order and requested laicization. In 10/2022 Wellems’ name was included on the Chicago archdiocese’s list of credibly accused. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report.
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