The Diocese of Peoria, a prominent Catholic institution in Central Illinois, has been deeply rooted in faith and discipleship, with efforts to grow disciples guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Celebrated for its spiritual contributions and the legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a native son of the diocese, Peoria has long been a center of Catholic life. However, recent allegations of sexual abuse within the diocese have raised critical questions about accountability and trust.

At Injury Lawyer Team, our Peoria clergy abuse lawyers are committed to providing survivors with the compassionate representation they need to seek accountability and healing.

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Background and Influence of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria

The Diocese of Peoria, established in 1877, serves as a spiritual and educational hub for Catholics in Central Illinois. Encompassing 26 counties, the diocese has played a vital role in shaping the faith of its community through parishes, schools, and outreach programs.

With a mission to grow disciples and foster a deep connection to Jesus Christ, the diocese has inspired generations to embrace their faith and share the love of God.

One of its most revered figures is Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a native son celebrated for his contributions to Catholic media, evangelization, and theology. His legacy continues to influence the diocese’s mission, as the faithful often invoke, “Venerable Archbishop Sheen, pray for us.”

Under the leadership of Bishop Louis Tylka, the Diocese of Peoria strives to embody its Catholic mission while addressing challenges and maintaining its commitment to education, particularly through institutions like Trinity High School. Despite its storied history, the diocese has faced allegations of clergy abuse that have marred its reputation and shaken the trust of its faithful.

Abuse Allegations Within the Diocese of Peoria

The Diocese of Peoria has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members, with cases spanning several decades.

In 2005, Jean Anderson filed a lawsuit alleging that Father Edward Bush sexually assaulted her in 1964 or 1965, when she was 13 or 14 years old and a student at St. Thomas Catholic School in Peoria Heights. Bush was removed from public ministry in 2002.

Mary Krusz accused Father Louis Condon of sexually assaulting her between 1958 and 1960, starting when she was 6 years old and a student at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Lincoln. Condon retired from ministry in 1986 and was later removed from public ministry. [1]

A lawsuit filed in 2018 alleged that Father John Anderson sexually abused a boy between 1979 and 1984 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Chillicothe, beginning when the victim was 8 years old. Anderson has since been publicly removed from the priesthood. [2]

The list of accused Illinois priests in the Diocese of Peoria includes:

Fr. John C. Anderson
Fr. Robert O. Barnett
Fr. Charles Beebe
Fr. Patrick B. Brennan
Fr. Walter A. Breuning
Fr. Edward E. Bush
Fr. Terry Cassidy
Fr. J. George Cody
Fr. Louis Condon
Fr. Robert J. Creager
Fr. Francis Engels
Fr. Norman D. Goodman
Fr. William Harbert
Fr. George H. Hiland
Fr. Robert Thomas Hughes
Fr. William D. Isermann
Fr. J. Eugene Kane
Fr. M. Duane Leclercq
Fr. John Edward Lohan
Fr. Thomas W. Maloney
Fr. Thomas R. Miller
Fr. John M. Onderko
Fr. Victorian Ostmeyer
Fr. Toussaint J. Perron
Fr. Jerome Pilon
Fr. Gregory J. Plunkett
Fr. Samuel D. Pusateri
Fr. John J. Ryan
Fr. Donald R. Schladen
Fr. Laurence C. Schumacher
Sister Mary Jane
Fr. Richard Slavish
Fr. Bernard Tomaszewski
Fr. John B. Turnbull
Fr. Michael R. Van Acker

Such cases highlight systemic failures within the Diocese of Peoria to protect vulnerable individuals and adequately address allegations of abuse.

Legal Proceedings and Investigations into the Diocese of Peoria

The Illinois Attorney General’s 2023 report identified 51 clergy members in the Diocese of Peoria with credible allegations of sexual abuse. The investigation uncovered decades of abuse, with diocesan leaders accused of failing to address credible complaints and reassigning abusive priests to new parishes. [3]

The Diocese of Peoria has faced significant legal scrutiny for its handling of sexual abuse allegations, with survivors pursuing justice through both criminal and civil actions.

In 2013, the Diocese of Peoria settled a lawsuit for $1.35 million with a former altar boy who accused Monsignor Thomas Maloney of sexual abuse during the 1990s at Epiphany Catholic Church in Normal. The lawsuit claimed that diocesan leadership, including then-Bishop John J. Myers, failed to act on prior allegations against Maloney. [4]

A 2004 report indicated that the Diocese of Peoria had incurred slightly more than $900,000 in settlements related to sexual misconduct allegations involving 14 diocesan priests since 1950. [5]

The Diocese’s Role in Enabling Abuse or Cover-Ups

The Diocese of Peoria has faced significant criticism for its handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations, with investigations revealing patterns of negligence and systemic failures that enabled abuse to persist.

In many cases, diocesan leaders were aware of allegations against clergy members but failed to take decisive action.

For example, lawsuits alleged that diocesan officials ignored prior complaints about Monsignor Thomas Maloney, allowing him to continue serving in ministry where further abuse occurred. In the case of Father John Anderson, despite early allegations of misconduct, he remained in ministry for years, continuing to interact with vulnerable parishioners.

The diocese has been accused of reassigning priests with known abuse allegations to other parishes instead of removing them from ministry. This practice exposed additional communities to harm and highlighted a prioritization of institutional reputation over the safety of parishioners.

The Illinois Attorney General’s report criticized the Diocese of Peoria for its failure to disclose the full extent of abuse cases and its reliance on confidential settlements to avoid public accountability. Survivors and advocates have noted that this lack of transparency has perpetuated harm and prevented systemic reform.

While the Diocese of Peoria has implemented measures such as mandatory reporting and abuse prevention programs, survivors and advocates argue that these efforts do not adequately address past failures. Calls for independent oversight and a more survivor-centered approach remain urgent to rebuild trust within the Catholic community.

Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse Within the Diocese of Peoria

Survivors of clergy abuse in the Diocese of Peoria have several legal avenues to seek justice, accountability, and compensation for the harm they endured.

They can report abuse to law enforcement, leading to potential criminal prosecution of the perpetrators. Criminal cases aim to hold abusers accountable through penalties such as imprisonment.

Survivors can also file civil lawsuits against the diocese or individual clergy members. These lawsuits focus on obtaining financial compensation for the emotional, psychological, and physical harm caused by the abuse and for the diocese’s negligence in addressing or preventing misconduct.

Changes to Illinois law have extended the timeframe for survivors to file sex abuse claims, allowing many to pursue legal action even years after the misconduct occurred.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to supporting survivors of clergy abuse in the Diocese of Peoria and beyond. With extensive experience handling sensitive and complex cases, we offer compassionate advocacy and expert legal guidance.

Our Illinois clergy abuse lawyers are committed to helping survivors navigate the legal process, hold perpetrators and institutions accountable, and secure the justice and compensation they deserve.

We represent victims of clergy abuse within the Archdiocese of Chicago, including:

Diocese of Joliet
Diocese of Rockford
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Diocese of Belleville

Take the First Step Toward Justice!

If you or a loved one has experienced clergy abuse within the Diocese of Peoria, Injury Lawyer Team is here to help. We handle every case with care, confidentiality, and a commitment to achieving justice for survivors. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call 866-757-6452 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a clergy sexual abuse attorney.

References: [1] Bishop Accountability, [2] Bishop Accountability, [3] Bishop Accountability, [4] Bishop Accountability, [5] Bishop Accountability