Fr. Donald G. O'Connor: Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Fr. Donald G. O'Connor

Ordained: 1964

  • 1965-1966: St. Rose’s, Wilmington, IL (JOL)
  • 1967: Sacred Heart, Lombard, IL (JOL)
  • 1968-1970: Assumption, Coal City, IL (JOL)
  • 1971-1975: St. Rose’s, Wilmington, IL (JOL)
  • 1976-1987: Immaculate Conception, Braidwood, IL (JOL)
  • 1988-1999: St. Bernard, Joliet, IL (JOL)
  • 2000-2002: Assumption, Coal City, IL (JOL) (s.v.d.)
  • 2003-2005: Unknown
  • 2006-2011: Retired (JOL)
  • 2011: Died

Fr. Donald G. O’Connor was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet in 1964. Reportedly, concerns about the mental health of Fr. O’Connor first surfaced when he was a seminary student. Multiple survivors have accused Fr. O’Connor of child sexual abuse. By 1980, it is believed that the Bishop of Joliet knew of at least five survivors who alleged child sexual abuse by Fr. O’Connor. However, Fr. O’Connor was permitted to keep working as a priest where it is believed that he continued to sexually abuse children. After allegations of sexual abuse with minors were deemed credible, Fr. O’Connor was removed from ministry in 2002. Fr. O’Connor was named on the Diocese of Joliet’s list of “Diocesan Priests with Credible Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors Made Against Them While Serving in the Diocese of Joliet.”