Professional Negligence Law Reporter

During the 1970s, when John Doe was 12- to 15-years-old, he was allegedly sexually abused by Father John Burke, a Viatorian priest who was assigned to St. George Catholic Church in Bourbonnais, Ill. The alleged abuse included various sexual acts, which Doe was coerced into after being provided alcohol and amyl nitrite.

Doe claimed the Clerics of Saint Viator and the Diocese of Joliet were liable for Burke’s alleged sexual abuse. The claimant asserted that he had reported the abuse to the clerics and spoken with another priest, who allegedly told him that Burke had a history of grooming and molesting young boys who were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The parties settled for an undisclosed amount.

Citation: Doe v. Diocese of Joliet, settled before filing, Nov. 2021.

Claimant counsel: AAJ members Martin D. Gould and Nicolette A. Ward, both of Chicago.