Walter George DeRoeck
Ordained: 1971
- 1971-1976: St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge, IL (CHI)
- 1976-1985: Queen of Mary of Heaven, Cicero, IL; Quigley North High School, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1985-1991: St. John Berchman, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1991: Sabbatical
- 1992-1996: St. Catherine Laboure, Glenview, IL (CHI)
- 1996-1999: St. Celestine, Elmwood Park, IL (CHI)
- 1999: Other assignments; Cardinal Stritch Retreat House, Mundelein, IL (CHI)
- 2000: Other Assignments; 645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago IL (CHI)
- 2001: Resigned
- 2002: Laicized
- 2003-2019: Unknown
A 1989 notation in Fr. Walter George DeRoeck’s personnel file indicates that he had an obsession with young men and was seen bringing young children into his house. However, Fr. DeRoeck was not removed until 1999 when two people accused Fr. DeRoeck of sexually abusing them as children in 1986 while he worked at St. John Berchman in Chicago. Fr. DeRoeck resigned in 2001 and was laicized in 2002. Fr. DeRoeck is included in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s list of “Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors.” Fr. DeRoeck was believed to be residing in San Jose, California as of 2008, although his current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.
Fr. Walter George DeRoeck Document
Fr. Walter George DeRoeck Timeline
5/21/1971 – Ordained
1971 – St. Paul of the Cross
1976 – Queen Mary of Heaven with accused priest Donald Mulsoff
1976 – Faculty, Quigley North High School 1985 – Pastor, St. John Berchman’s
8/14/1989 DeRoeck has seminarian living with him at rectory. (AOC 012300) Staff at parish complain he has an obsession with young men that affects his work as pastor. (AOC 012323)
8/28/1989 Wally always seems be bringing kids to the house. (AOC 012326)
1991-1992 – Sabbatical
1992 – St. Catherine Labourne
1996 – Pastor, St. Celestine’s
3/16/1999 Allegation of sexual abuse of minor at St. Berchman’s. (AOC 12559)
3/17/1999 Allegation of sexual abuse of minor at St. Berchman’s. (AOC 012563)
3/20/1999 Review Board determines reasonable cause to suspect and recommends withdrawal from ministry. (AOC 012572)
Cardinal George places DeRoeck on administrative leave. (AOC 012576)
8/19/2000 DeRoeck allowed to work for a trial period at Koenig Hall. (AOC 012826)
2001 Resigned
2002 Laicized