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Abusive Clerics and Religious Brothers

James A. Nowak

ORDAINED: 1967

DIOCESAN: Joliet, IL

ILLINOIS ASSIGNMENTS
  • Sacred Heart, Lombard, IL
  • Saint Andrew the Apostle, Romeoville, IL
  • Saint Dominic, Bolingbrook, IL
  • Saint Anthony, Joliet, IL
  • Holy Trinity, Westmont, IL
  • Saints Peter and Paul Church, Naperville, IL
  • Saint John Vianney Villa, Naperville, IL
  • Saint Mary Nativity, Joliet, IL
  • Diocese of Joliet - Tribunal

REPORTED SURVIVORS: 28

DATE/LOCATION OF REPORTED ABUSE
  • 1967-1968: Saint Petronille, Glen Ellyn, IL
  • 1967-1968: Will County, IL
  • 1976-1989: Will County, IL
  • 1978-1986: Saint Dominic, Bolingbrook, IL
  • 1977-1987: Bolingbrook Health Club, Bolingbrook, IL
  • Early 1980s: Charlie Club, Romeoville, IL
  • 1987-1991: Saint Anthony, Frankfort, IL and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Lockport, IL
DIOCESE CLAIM OF FIRST REPORT
  • 2012
PLACED ON CATHOLIC CHURCH PUBLIC LISTS
  • 03/04/13: Diocese of Joliet, IL
ACTIONS/STATUS
  • 2012: Removed from ministry
  • 2020: Died

This section contains specific information regarding substantiated child sex abuse committed by Catholic clerics and religious brothers while ministering in the diocese. This information includes:

Click the + for more information and definitions

Name/Ordination Year
The name of the substantiated cleric or religious brother and the year he was ordained. In instances where no ordination year is noted, the ordination year is either designated as “unknown” or the individual is a non-ordained religious brother who took vows in a religious order.

Diocesan/Order
The diocese or religious order into which the cleric or religious brother was ordained or took vows.

Illinois Assignments
The parishes and related church locations where the cleric or religious brother was assigned while ministering in Illinois, as reported by a diocese or religious order.

Reported Survivors
The number of survivors who made claims of child sex abuse against the cleric or religious brother, as reported by the diocese or religious order and/or as revealed in criminal conviction records.

Date/Location of Reported Abuse
The date and location of claimed instances of child sex abuse committed by the cleric or religious brother, as reported by the diocese or religious order and/or as revealed in criminal conviction records.

Diocese Claim of First Report
The date the diocese reports having first received a child sex abuse claim, or claim of inappropriate behavior with a child, regarding the cleric or religious brother.

Placed on Catholic Church Public Lists
The date the identified diocese or religious order placed the cleric or religious brother on its public list of substantiated child sex abusers.

Actions/Status
Significant actions relating to the cleric or religious brother and his current status.

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