The Catholic Archdiocese of Springfield is facing a new lawsuit alleging it enabled and concealed the repeated sexual abuse of a young altar boy by Father John O’Connell, who passed away 24 years ago, at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Parish in Taylorville.
The lawsuit filed by Gould Grieco & Hensley PLLC in The Circuit Court of Sangamon County, alleges the abuse of John Doe took place between the years of 1991-1994.
In a statement the Diocese of Springfield states “The diocese does not comment on pending litigation. We encourage individuals to report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, even if it’s in the past, by calling the Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation number at 217-321-1155.”
