Father John Slown, a Catholic priest whose ministry spanned several dioceses across the country, including Illinois, New Mexico, and California, has been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

Over decades, allegations have surfaced involving incidents where Slown sexually abused young men and boys during his time in ministry. Survivors and their families have long sought justice for the harm caused by Slown, who served in various parishes and held positions of trust within the Catholic Church.

At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to helping survivors of clergy abuse understand their legal rights and pursue compensation for their suffering. Our Joliet clergy abuse attorneys work closely with survivors to hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse by Father John Slown, we are here to provide compassionate and confidential support.

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Father John Slown’s Background

Father John Slown Sexual Abuse Allegations

Father John Slown began his priesthood in the early 1970s, initially serving in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. After enrolling in seminary and completing his theological education, Slown was assigned to several parishes across Illinois, including DuPage County and Peoria. During his ministry, he gained parishioners’ trust and worked closely with children and young men through various church programs.

As his career progressed, Father Slown was transferred to different dioceses across the United States, including the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in New Mexico, where he continued his pastoral work.

Over the decades, he also served in parishes in California and New Jersey, taking on roles that allowed him to interact directly with vulnerable children. His assignments often involved direct interaction with families, making him a well-known figure within the communities he served.

Despite his active presence in the church and apparent dedication to his job, Slown’s history of abuse began to come to light after survivors stepped forward with allegations. The accusations suggest that archdiocesan officials had knowledge of his misconduct but failed to take decisive action to protect children from further harm.

Allegations Against Father John Slown

Allegations against Father John Slown span multiple decades and involve incidents of child sex abuse reported by several survivors. These survivors have described how Slown exploited his position as a trusted priest to sexually abuse boys and young men, often under the guise of pastoral care.

One of the earliest known incidents occurred in the late 1970s in a parish in DuPage County, IL. A young boy came forward years later, alleging that Slown had sexually abused him during church-sponsored activities. Similar stories emerged from survivors in Santa Fe and Peoria, suggesting a disturbing pattern of abuse that continued as Slown moved between parishes.

By the 1980s, concerns about Father Slown’s behavior had reportedly reached archdiocesan officials. However, rather than removing him from ministry, Slown was reassigned to different parishes, a practice that many believe enabled him to continue abusing children. Survivors and their families have expressed frustration over the church’s failure to act decisively despite clear warning signs.

In addition to incidents in Illinois and New Mexico, allegations surfaced in California and New Jersey, where Slown served during the 1990s. Survivors from these states reported similar patterns of abuse, often involving boys who were active in parish programs. The allegations indicate that Slown targeted children who trusted him, making it difficult for victims to speak out at the time.

Legal Proceedings and Investigations

Legal action against Fr. John Slown and the dioceses where he served began to intensify in the mid-2010s. Survivors, with the support of clergy abuse lawyers, filed lawsuits against both Slown and the Catholic Church. These lawsuits alleged that the Church was aware of the allegations for years but failed to act, allowing Slown to continue his ministry and abuse additional children.

In August of 2016, a lawsuit filed in DuPage County credibly accused Fr. Slown of sexually abusing a young boy in the 1980s. The lawsuit also claimed that archdiocesan officials had prior knowledge of Slown’s behavior but were unable or unwilling to remove him from his position.

In September 2017, another lawsuit was filed in California by a survivor who alleged abuse while Slown was assigned to a parish in Los Angeles.

While criminal charges have yet to result in a conviction, the civil lawsuits have led to significant settlements. In January 2020, the Diocese of Joliet agreed to a settlement with several survivors who had credibly accused Slown of abuse. These clergy sexual abuse settlements, while offering some form of justice to survivors, have also highlighted the Church’s failure to protect children from known abusers.

Institutional Responsibility and Cover-Ups

The Catholic Church’s handling of Father John Slown’s abuse allegations has raised serious questions about institutional responsibility.

Records suggest that archdiocesan officials knew of Slown’s misconduct but failed to act appropriately to protect the children. Instead of removing him from ministry, the church continued to assign him to new parishes, where he had access to more potential victims.

In recent years, public pressure and legal actions against many accused priests in Illinois have led to increased scrutiny of the church’s role in enabling abuse.

Survivors have filed lawsuits against dioceses in Illinois, New Mexico, and California, seeking compensation for the harm they endured. These lawsuits argue that the church’s failure to investigate complaints and remove Slown from active ministry directly contributed to the continued child sex abuse.

Survivors and their families have sued the Diocese of Joliet and other dioceses where Slown served. In some cases, settlements have been reached, providing financial compensation to victims. However, many survivors continue to seek justice through ongoing legal proceedings.

Legal Options for Survivors

If you or a loved one was sexually abused by Father John Slown or any other member of the clergy, you may have legal options available. Survivors can pursue both criminal and civil actions, depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the time that has passed since the incidents occurred.

While criminal charges may be difficult to pursue due to the statute of limitations, civil lawsuits provide an alternative avenue for seeking justice. Civil cases allow survivors to demand financial compensation for the emotional, psychological, and physical harm they have suffered. These lawsuits can also lead to institutional reforms that help prevent future abuse.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Injury Lawyer Team has a proven track record of successfully representing survivors of clergy abuse. Our experienced Illinois clergy abuse attorneys have handled cases involving the Catholic Church and dioceses across the state. We are dedicated to helping survivors hold abusers and institutions accountable while ensuring that they receive the compensation and support they need.

Secure Expert Legal Counsel!

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse by Father John Slown, it is essential to know that you have legal options. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are committed to helping survivors of clergy abuse pursue justice and compensation. Our compassionate clergy abuse attorney team is ready to listen, provide guidance, and advocate on your behalf.

Call us at 866-757-6452 or fill out our contact form for a free, confidential consultation. You have the right to seek justice, and we are here to help you every step of the way.