Diocese of Rockford IL - BishopAccountability.org

18 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Edwin Banach

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

In 9/02 the Franciscans began investigating allegations that Banach abused two boys between 1963 and 1970 at St. Anthony of Padua. One person alleged abuse and the other alleged that Banach made sexual overtures. Banach spent the first nine years of his ministry at St. Anthony's, moved to a parish in California, then returned in 1963 to St. Anthony's. In 1970 Banach was transferred back to California. He died in 1984.

Sources:

Rockford Register Star 06.21.03

Fr. Mark A. Campobello

Ordained: 1991
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Arrested in 12/02 after an 18-year-old girl alleged he abused her at age 14 when he was asssistant principal and spiritual director at her school. Placed on leave. Indicted again in 10/03 on charges that he molested another girl 1999-2000 in a different county. Pled guilty in 2004. Sentenced to 8 years (4 for each girl). Two civil suits filed in 2004; settled in 5/07 for $2.2M. At least one more credible accuser. Laicized in 6/05. Released from prison 2/13/08. Back in prison in 4/08; soon released. Back in 4/09. Released 7/28/10. Last known to be living in Crystal Lake, IL. On diocese's list 11/14/18.

Fr. Harlan B. Clapsaddle

Ordained: 1977
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Per news in 2002, Clapsaddle was accused of inappropriately touching three brothers decades prior. Diocese was notified in 1996; he was removed from parish in 1/97 and sent for treatment. Reassigned in 11/97, as chaplain to a nursing home in a "monitored setting." The Diocese paid the three victims a total of $80K. In 3/02 he was removed from the nursing home assignment after another claim of abuse years prior was received. Nursing home officials said they knew nothing about his past record. On diocese's list 11/14/18.

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Fr. Thomas Considine

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/14/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry in 4/80. Died in 3/88.

Sources:

Diocese of Rockford List 11.14.18

Fr. Theodore Feely

Order: OFM Conv
Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Feely worked in IL, CA and NV. In 2002 two men alleged Feely of abused them when they were minors in IL 1968-72. One of the men filed 2/06 civil suit against the Rockford Diocese claiming Feely repeatedly sexually abused him, including rape, at age 13 in 1969. The man said the abuse started on a four-day trip to the Wisconsin Dells. He said he was awakened by the priest choking him, and was then sodomized. Feely's accuser also said he told another priest during confession, who pulled him out of the confessional, said he was evil then pushed him down the stairs. The lawsuit was dismissed on SOL. Feely died in NV in 1991. On Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18. On Las Vegas diocese's list 4/12/19. On Stockton diocese's list 11/12/20; worked there at St. George's 1981-82.

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Deacon Michael Frazier

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Ordained as permanent deacon in 1982. Retired in 2011. On Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18. Noted to have been removed from ministry by the Diocese of Knoxville in 2/14 and faculties removed by Rockford the same month.

Sources:

Diocese of Rockford List 11.14.18

Fr. James Gaynor

Ordained: 1960
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

In 2000 a man reported to the diocese that when he was ages 4-5 in 1963-65, Gaynor repeatedly sexually abused him. The diocese told the man that Gaynor had died of AIDS in 1991. The man said he refused to sign an agreement offering counseling in exchange for releasing the diocese from liabilities or damages. The same man came forward again in 2002.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Rockford Register Star 08.23.02

Fr. Al F. Harte

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

A woman filed suit 1/31/14 alleging that Harte and two other priests, "Fr. Bob" and "Fr. Allen", abused her on multiple occasions 1978-80 when she was a student at Holy Family Catholic School. Harte was at the parish 1976-89. The suit claims the diocese know of his behavior before her abuse. He died 8/24/02.

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Fr. John C. Holdren

Ordained: 1971
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Accused in a lawsuit filed 9/8/15 of sexually abusing a 7- to 9-year-old boy in the early 1970s at St. Rita's of Cascia in Aurora. Abuse allegedly included fondling and sodomy. Accuser said several of his friends told him they were abused, too. Holdren denied abuse of the boy. Took long-term leave of absence i 1994 after injured in reported home invasion. Diocese stated in 9/15 he was no longer an active priest, but Holdren told reporter he was still active, helping out at a local parish. On diocese's list 11/14/18. It noted he was removed from ministry in 7/94 "for reason not related to a child abuse allegation".

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. William I. Joffe

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Placed on leave in 12/87 after allegation he had mismanaged parish funds. Pled guilty in 1981 to embezzling $264K from his parish; sentenced to 1 year in prison and 5 years probation. Reassigned in 1992 to a parish; placed on leave again in 1993 after abuse complaint. Another complaint received in 2002 and two more received in 2004. Three more by 2005. Dates ranged 1969-83. Suit filed in 2/06. "Removed from priesthood" in 8/93 but still in 2002 Catholic Directory. Lived in FL 2006. On diocese's list 11/14/18. Noted to have died in 4/08.

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Fr. Walter E. Johnson

Order: MM
Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Died: 04/14/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused on the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18. Noted to have been removed by his order 4/88, reinstated 9/88, then removed again 4/93. Worked in Chicago IL archdiocese, Bolivia, Dioceses of Rockford IL and San Jose CA. Moved to Maryknoll NY 2004. Died 4/14/18.

Assignments:

Maryknoll Mission Archives 04.14.18

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Fr. Peter D. Kohler

Order: MS
Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Priest of the Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSallette (M.S.). On the Diocese of Rockford's list 11/14/18. Noted to have died in 1991.

Sources:

Diocese of Rockford List 11.14.18

Br. Richard Kuhl

Order: MSC
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Professed final vows in 1954. In about 1996 five women filed four suits alleging abuse by Kuhl when they were children. All dismissed 1/00 by IL Supreme Court on SOL. A woman filed a suit 11/03 claiming he abused her 1974-82. Suit also says that mother of another victim had complained to the Order before 1974 and that nothing was done. Suit mentions at least six victims. On Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18.

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Fr. Christopher LeMay

Donate Photo

Order: MSC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province on its list in 2020. It notes allegation(s) in 2018. It does not say when or where the abuse occurred. LeMay died in 1995.

Sources:

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA List accessed 10.27.20

Br. Patrick O’Hara

Order: MSC
Status: Accused

Died: 05/17/2008
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named publicly as accused by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province on its list of credibly accused in 2020. It notes allegation(s) reported in 2005. It does not reveal when or where the abuse took place. O'Hara died in 5/17/08. Per his obituary, he entered Sacred Heart Mission Seminary in 1957, professed final vows in 1969. He taught in Geneva and St. Charles IL early on, then spent many years in Papua New Gunea, Diocese of Kavieng. He returned to the U.S. in 2004 "due to poor health" and soon "took up residence" at the Paraclete's Vianney Renewal Center in MO.

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Fr. Alfredo Pedraza-Arias

Ordained: 1992
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Arrived in diocese in 2013 from Colombia. Worked in Hispanic Ministry and in two Aurora parishes. Arrested 2/11/16, charged with criminal sexual abuse of two girls between 1/09 and 11/14. The girls were under the age of 6. Under investigation since 10/14, when allegations were reported to civil authorities and the Diocese of Rockford IL. Suspended from ministry 10/30/14. Pleaded not guilty in 9/16. Trial scheduled for 9/18/17. Delayed, set for 11/27/17. Delayed, set for 2/18. Detained by US immigration and faced deportation to Columbia in 7/17. Police looking to charge him also with fondling a 3-year-old girl when he worked in DeKalb. In plea deal 2/9/18, not required to register as sex offender; pled guilty to misdemeanor. Released from jail 2/10/18. Deportation expected. Deported to Colombia 2/26/18.

Fr. Leo Petit

Order: MSC
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 03/21/2014
Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Petit's name appeared in 2020 on the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart USA Province list of those with credible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors. It notes allegation(s) against Petit reported in 1993. He retired in 2001. Died 3/21/14. Per his obituary, Petit taught for 14 years at Sacred Heart Seminary, was director in communication/vocation positions, and did mission work in Colombia, South America. Added 10/21/20 to the Diocese of Rockford's list.

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Fr. Joseph J. M. Tully

Ordained: 1925
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Rockford IL

Named as accused on the Rockford diocese's list 11/14/18. Noted to have retired in 1971 and died in 12/18/82. On the Diocese of Beaumont, TX list 1/31/19. On Galveston-Houston's list 1/31/19.

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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.