Ex-La Grange Priest Cleared Of Sex Abuse Allegation

LA GRANGE, IL – The Archdiocese of Chicago late last month cleared a priest who worked in the Catholic parishes in La Grange and Western Springs, among others.

On Friday, Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, released letters he sent a week ago to eight Chicago area parishes where the Rev. William Killeen worked.

Killeen was associate pastor for St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange from 2011 to 2019. He also celebrated Mass occasionally at St. Cletus Parish in La Grange and St. John of the Cross Parsh in Western Springs.

A year ago, Killeen was asked to step aside because of an allegation of child sexual abuse when he was assigned to St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills more than 40 years ago, the archdiocese said at the time.

The archdiocese's independent review board met last week to review the results of the church's investigation.

"They determined there is not reasonable cause to believe Father Killeen sexually abused a minor," Cupich said in the letter.

The board recommended that Killeen, who is retired, be returned to the ministry and that the case file be closed. Cupich accepted the recommendation "after prayerful consideration."

Cupich said he is committed to restoring the good names of those accused if allegations are unsubstantiated.

"To that end, I publicly affirm that Father Killeen is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Chicago," Cupich said in the letter.

Cupich said the allegation was referred to civil authorities after the church was told about it last year. The person making the allegation was offered the services of the church's victim assistance ministry, the archbishop said.

Killeen cooperated with the church's direction to remain out of the ministry during the inquiry, Cupich said.

The other parishes that were notified of the decision were St. Alexander in Palos Heights, St. Michael in Orland Park, St. Christopher (now St. Augustine) in Midlothian and Infant Jesus of Prague (now St. Veronica) in Flossmoor.