Fr. Richard Wayne Fassbinder

Diocese:  Archdiocese of Chicago

Summary of Assignments:

  • 5/1/1953:  Ordained
  • 1953-1964:  St. Hugh’s; Lyons, IL
  • 1964-1967:  Queen of All Saints Basilica; Chicago, IL
  • 1967-1975:  St. Emily’s; Mt. Prospect, IL
  • 1975-2002:  Prince of Peace; Lake Villa, IL
    • 1975-1977:  Pastor
    • 1977-1997:  Pastor Emeritus
  • 1997:  Retired
  • 5/1/2004:  Died

Notes:

Retired in 1997. Privileges removed 4/02 after review board determined “reasonable cause” to suspect he had sexually abused a male minor during his assignment at Prince of Peace parish. Abuse said to have begun in 1974 and ended in mid-1980s. Allegations first reported 12/01. Died 5/04. Name also on 2003 Archdiocesan list of abusers. Per documents released by archdiocese in 11/14, Fassbinder admitted taking nude pics of and a “sexual relationship” with a boy, beginning in 1974 when the boy was age 16 and continuing for 15 yrs., but said he didn’t know the boy was a minor. He was in ministry for 2 years after his admission.

Sources:

BA.org Assignment Record; Fassbinder Personnel File; Jeff Anderson & Associates TimelineChicago Daily Herald 04.10.02; Chicago Sun Times 04.10.02; Chicago Tribune 04.10.02; Chicago Sun-Times 01.17.03; Chicago Sun-Times 06.15.03; Chicago Tribune 05.09.04; Chicago Archdiocesan Report 03.20.06; Daily Herald 11.06.14; Archdiocese of Chicago Documents 11.11.15;