Diocese of Springfield IL - BishopAccountability.org

26 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Alvin L. Campbell

Ordained: 1952
Status: Convicted

Arrested on sex assault charges in 1985. Owned child porn. History of abuse involving numerous victims going back at least 20 years. Convicted and sentenced to 14 years prison. Released 1992. Bishop requested laicization in 1989 but was denied by CDF prefect Cardinal Ratzinger because Campbell did not agree. He later agreed and was laicized, possibly 1992. Died 12/2/02. At least one civil suit settled in 2004 mass settlement. Six more victims from 1970s and early 1980s settled with Diocese 1/07 for $625K. On diocese's list 11/29/18.

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Fr. Joseph D. Cernich

Ordained: 1983
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Assigned to parishes, active in Teens Encounter Christ, taught summer school at Griffin High, and was a Christian Family Camps staff member. Faculties removed in 4/95. Worked in Catholic Charities administration offices until 2002. Laicized in 6/03. Went on to work for the city of Springfield. First named publicly as accused on the diocese's list released 11/29/18.

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Fr. Eugene E. Costa

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/29/18. Worked at Holy Family in Decatur 1987-93. Beaten by two males, ages 15 and 17 in a Springfield park in 12/04 after he propositioned them for sex. Removed from ministry. Laicized 10/12/07.

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Fr. Garrett Neal Dee

Ordained: 1964
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Ordained for the Springfield IL diocese. In treatment for about a year before assigned in 1988 to the Diocese of Amarillo, TX. In 4/02 a man told the Springfield diocese that Dee abused him in the 1960s in IL. The man's attorney wrote directly to the Amarillo diocese in June, and Dee was placed on leave. Dee admitted to sexual misconduct with minors in the Diocese of Springfield. At least one more man from TX contacted local papers after story about Dee alleging he was molested by the priest in Groom, TX. On Springfield diocese's list 11/29/19. It notes his removal from active ministry 7/31/02.

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Fr. Robert DeGrand

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Removed 9/13 from parishes in Sigel, Neoga, Green Creek and Lillyville after new allegation of sexual misconduct against a minor dating back to 1980 when he was assigned to Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville, IL Temporarily removed. Review Board found allegations credible 1/14 and matter to be sent to Vatican for further action. To remain on leave. Civil and criminal authorities notified. No criminal prosecution due to SOL. On diocese's list 11/29/18. Not in active miinistry since 5/1/15.

Fr. Robert Dodd

Ordained: 1964
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Began a 'relationship' with 15-year-old girl which continued for several years. Her mother complained to parish in 1968. After several months Dodd was transferred, to parish in the city where the girl was attending college. Dodd married and left the priesthood in 1971. Became an attorney and served as mayor of Champaign 1983-87. Civil suit filed in 1994. Court ruled 11/96 that case could go forward. Dodd died 3/28/13.On diocese's list 11/29/18.

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Fr. Kevin J. Downey

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish in Triangle VA from 2011. On 5/28/16 the Arlington VA diocese quietly announced Downey's suspension during an investigation of sexual misconduct with a male minor, alleged to have occurred in 1990 'in another state.' Per the Official Catholic Directory, Downey was working at Quincy College in the Springfield IL diocese in 1990. Downey denied the allegation. He has worked in NY, IL, NJ, NC, and VA. Province announced on 4/24/17 that the claim was found to be credible. Downey removed permanently from all public ministries. On the Raleigh diocese's list in 10/18. On the Francisans' Holy Name Province list in 10/21.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Michael Driscoll

Ordained: 1941
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 5/15/89.

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield IL List 11.29.18
Herald-Review 11.29.18

Fr. Robert Eagear

Ordained: 1928
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 9/22/84.

Sources:

Herald-Review 11.29.18
Diocese of Springfield IL List 11.29.18

Fr. George Faller

Ordained: 1918
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 10/23/75.

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Fr. Ray Franzen

Ordained: 1940
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 10/4/87.

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield IL List 11.29.18
Herald-Review 11.29.18

Fr. Joseph Havey

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1971
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Accused of abuse of at least 5 boys in the 1970s-80s. Sued in 1993. They and others say he provided pornography, drugs and alcohol. Suit dismissed in 1995 on SOL and dismissal upheld by appeals court. Two other claims were pending at that time. Havey left the priesthood and married. At least some claims settled as part of 2004 $3M mass settlement. Laicized 2/17/06. On diocese's list released 11/29/18.

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Fr. George Kromenaker

Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 5/10/10.

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Fr. Peter Mascari

Ordained: 1952
Status: Settled

Died: 12/30/2002
Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

In 1993 a woman told the diocese that Mascari began grooming her from the age of 8, then began sexually abusing her when she was 18 in 1975 and until 1989. She told her story in a book in 2007, and first spoke his name publicly in 2019. She said she settled with the diocese in 1994. Mascari died in 2002.

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Fr. Richard Niebrugge

Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

A woman filed suit in 2004 alleging that Niebrugge abused her for many years, beginning when she was 10, and that he had fathered her child which was born in 1978. The woman had been taken from an abusive family and lived with Niebrugge for many years in various rectories. Niebrugge died in 1983. Suit dismissed on statute of limitations and dismissal upheld by 5th District Appellate Court in 8/06.

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Fr. Joseph C. O’Brien

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/19. Died 3/27/78.

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield IL List 11.29.18
Herald-Review 11.29.18

Fr. Frank J. O’Hara

Ordained: 1941
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Two women filed suit in 9/08 accusing O'Hara of sexually abusing them between 1971 and 1978 while he was assigned to St. Kevin's Catholic Church in Rosewood Heights. Died in 4/06 at age 90. On diocese's list 11/29/18.

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Fr. James Patrick O’Hara

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1945
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Added on 6/18/19 to the Springfield diocesan list of accused priests, as a substantiated case of sexual abuse of a minor. Died on 11/15/87.

Sources:

Diocese of Springfield IL List 06.18.19

Bishop Daniel L. Ryan

Ordained: 1956
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Chancellor and auxiliary bishop of the Joliet diocese. Elevated to Springfield IL as bishop in 1983. Named as a co-defendant in a 1999 suit by three men who alleged he failed to act against sexual misconduct by clergy because he was involved in homosexual relationships. Resigned as Bishop of Springfield when the suit was filed. Suspended from all public ministry in 2002 amid allegations that he had abused a minor in 1984. Died 12/31/15. On Springfield diocese's list 11/29/18. Added to Joliet diocese's list 12/12/19.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Louis Schlangen

Ordained: 1957
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Retired in 2007. Accused in a 10/18 lawsuit of the sexual abuse of a girl 1973-75, when she was about 5 to 7 years old. The girl and her family were parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul in Springfield. Schlangen's accuser said she met with Bishop Lucas in 2007, and that no action was taken against Schlangen. He celebrated his 60th anniversary as a priest in 4/17. Per news, he was deceased by 10/18.

Sources:

Catholic Times 04.30.17
Scottsbluff Star Herald 10.23.18

Fr. Aloysius Schwellenbach

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1928
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Died 9/15/00.

Sources:

Herald-Review 11.29.18
Diocese of Springfield IL List 11.29.18

Fr. Louis C Shea

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Added on 6/18/19 to the Springfield IL diocese's list of accused priests, as a 'substantiated case of sexual abuse of a minor.' No abuse facts given. Two survivors contacted BA. One stated Shea visited her home and took her to her room at bedtime to 'pray over me,' molesting her weekly 1962-65 at age 7-10, touching her sexually skin-to-skin. She informed the diocese in 2002, 2004, 2019. Shea was already abusing her sister, who stated he sexually touched her 60-100 times in 1960-64 at age 6-9, until she pushed him out of her bed. A therapist suggested she call Shea. She did so circa 1985. He said, 'I have no recollection.' The girls were abused during Shea's 2nd and 3rd assignments and while he started work as a Catholic Charities official. Shortly after the abuse ended, Shea was temporarily pulled from his Catholic Charities position and worked as a hospital chaplain, then back at Catholic Charities and as a pastor. One sister has been contacted by other Shea victims. Died 11/15/96.

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Fr. Francis Tebangura

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named publlicly as accused on the diocese's list 11/29/18. Not in active ministry since 3/10/06. Reportedy returned to his native Uganda.

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Fr. Walter M. Weerts

Ordained: 1960
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Pleaded guilty in 1986 to abuse of three boys. Sentenced to six years in prison. Pre-sentencing report says Weerts was sexually involved with boys for at least 18 years and officials knew of his problems. Served about three years. Laicized during or shortly after release from prison. Diocese settled with three in 1987. Laicized 3/2/89. Settlements of eight more claims in 2004 for total of $1.2M. New suit filed 11/07 alleged abuse 1968-1970. On diocese's list released 11/29/18.

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Fr. Frank D. Westhoff

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Transferred to Crosier Seminary Onmia MN in 1986 after accusation that he abused a 14-year-old in the sacristy of St. Patrick's in Decatur IL in 6/66. Sent in 1987 to Jefferson City MO diocese. Last assignment in MO ended in 2000. Retired in 2003. Died in 1/06. At least one additional molestation case was reported to Jefferson City diocese in 2006. On Jefferson City diocese's list 11/8/18. On Springfield IL diocese's list 11/29/18.

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Fr. Stanislaus Yunker

Ordained: 1944
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Springfield IL

Named in a 10/18 lawsuit as having sexually abused a girl 1972-75, when she was ages 4-7. Longtime pastor of St. Vincent de Paul in Springfield. Died in 1975.

Sources:

Scottsbluff Star Herald 10.23.18

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.