Fr. Richard Niebrugge: Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Fr. Richard Niebrugge

Ordained: 1962

  • 1963-1966 Immaculate Conception, Alton, IL (SFD)
  • 1967-1969 Blessed Sacrament, Springfield, IL (SFD)
  • 1970-1972 St. Boniface’s, Edwardsville, IL (SFD) 1982 St. Paul’s Church, Highland, IL (SFD)
  • 1973 On Sick Leave – 3965 Greenridge Dr., Decatur, IL (SFD)
  • 1974-1978 SS. Peter and Paul Church, Collinsville, IL (SFD)
  • 1979-1980 St. Patrick’s Church, Grafton, IL (SFD)
  • 1981 SS. Peter and Paul Church, Alton, IL (SFD)
  • 1983 Immaculate Conception Church, Mattoon, IL (SFD)
  • 1983 Died

Fr. Richard Niebrugge worked in the Diocese of Springfield for nearly two decades before his death in 1983. In 2004, a woman filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Fr. Niebrugge had sexually abused her during the 1960s and 1970s. According to the suit, the alleged victim came from an abusive family and Fr. Niebrugge took her under his care as a foster child when she was 10 years old. The abuse is alleged to have occurred over the course of many years as the alleged victim lived with Fr. Niebrugge in various rectories. Approximately one decade after the abuse began, the suit alleges the plaintiff gave birth to Fr. Niebrugge’s child. The lawsuit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.