Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago
Notes:
Temporarily removed 12/13 from current position at St. Alphonsus Parish after Archdiocese received recent allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor at Our Lady of the Woods in Orland Park nearly 20 yrs previously. Allegations reported to Child & Family Services and Cook County DA. On 4/15/14, Cook County Sheriff’s Dept found the allegation to be unfounded. Archdiocese also said it found no reason to suspect that the abuse occurred and that he would be reinstated at St. Alphonsus. Other agencies conducting investigations have not announced their findings. New allegation received approx. 4/18/14 re abuse of different boy in in 1990s at same parish. Police reopened investigation but O’Connell had yet to be removed for a 2nd time. He was to avoid the parish school and not be alone with a child.
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times 12.08.13; Statement by Archdiocese of Chicago 12.08.13; WGN 12.08.13; ABC 7 12.09.13; CBS Chicago 12.09.13; Chicago Sun-Times 12.09.13; Chicago Tribune 12.09.13; Lake Forest Patch 12.09.13; SNAP Statement 12.09.13; Orland Park Patch 12.10.13; Orland Park Patch 12.11.13; Regional News 12.19.13; CBS Chicago 04.15.14; Chicago Sun-Times 04.15.14; Chicago Tribune 04.15.14; DNAinfo Chicago 04.15.14; NBC Chicago 04.15.14; SNAP Statement 04.15.14; Southtown Star 04.15.14; Statement by Archdiocese of Chicago 04.15.14; Vivelo Hoy 04.15.14; WGN 04.15.14; WLS 04.15.14; Catholic League 04.16.14; CBS Chicago 04.21.14; NBC Chicago 04.21.14; SNAP Media Statement 04.21.14; WGN 04.21.14; Chicago Sun-Times 04.22.14; Daily Reporter 04.22.14; Lakeview Patch 04.22.14; SNAP Statement 04.22.14; Telemundo Chicago 04.22.14; WLS 04.22.14; Chicago Sun-Times 04.23.14; Lakeview Patch 04.23.14; SNAP Statement 04.23.14; Daily Journal (incomplete) 04.25.14; WLS ABC 7 04.27.14; IL SNAP Statement 09.20.14; http://bishop-accountability.org/member/psearch.jsp