Fr. Richard M. Ruffalo: Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Have Been Admitted, Established or Determined to Be Credible

Fr. Richard M. Ruffalo

Ordained: 1959

  • 1960-1963: St. Rose of Lima, Kankakee, IL (JOL)
  • 1964-1965: St. Joseph’s, Rockdale, IL (JOL)
  • 1966-1968: St. Peter’s, Itasca, IL (JOL)
  • 1969-1975: The Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet, IL (JOL)
  • 1976-1988: St. Mary’s, Park Forest, IL (JOL)
  • 1989-1997: Holy Cross, Joliet, IL (JOL)
  • 1997: Died

Fr. Richard M. Ruffalo was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet in 1959. At least four survivors have accused Fr. Ruffalo of child sexual abuse. Allegations include Fr. Ruffalo taking young boys to Las Vegas and sexually abusing them. Fr. Ruffalo has been named in multiple civil lawsuits, one of which alleged that he and two other priests abused five brothers over a six-year span. Fr. Ruffalo 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” with “Substantiated Allegations.”