Fr. Alvin L. Campbell: Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Fr. Alvin L. Campbell

Ordained: 1952

  • 1953-1956: St. Patrick’s Church, Decatur, IL (SFD) 1979-1981 Assumption B.V.M. Church, Assumption, IL (SFD)
  • 1957-1960: Little Flower, Springfield, IL (SFD)
  • 1961-1962: Our Saviour, Jacksonville, IL (SFD)
  • 1963-1968: On Duty Outside of Diocese (SFD)
  • 1969-1977: Chap. U.S. Army (SFD)
  • 1978: Awaiting Assignment (SFD)
  • 1979-1981: Assumption B.V.M. Church, Assumption, IL (SFD)
  • 1982: Mother of Perpetual Help Church, Maryville, IL (SFD)
  • 1983-1985: St. Maurice’s Church, Morrisonville, IL (SFD)
  • 1986-1992: Absent on Leave (SFD)
  • 1993-2002: Unknown
  • 2002: Died

In approximately 1977, Fr. Alvin L. Campbell left his position as Army chaplain after he allegedly sexually abused at least one boy. In March 1985, Fr. Campbell was sent to Servants of the Paraclete, an institution known for treating priests accused of child sexual abuse. In August 1985, Fr. Campbell pleaded guilty to sexually abusing seven boys, between the ages of 11 and 15, from 1983 to 1984, while he worked at St. Maurice’s Church in Morrisonville, Illinois. Fr. Campbell later admitted he sexually abused boys for more than 20 years. Fr. Campbell was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In 1992, Fr. Campbell was released from prison and left the priesthood. In 1999, Fr. Campbell was named in a child sexual abuse lawsuit. In 2007, the Springfield diocese settled with six survivors of child sexual abuse by Fr. Campbell. In 2018, Fr. Campbell was included on the Diocese of Springfield’s list of clergy with substantiated cases of sexual abuse of a minor. Fr. Campbell’s whereabouts and whether he had access to children from 1992 until his death are unknown.