Walter George DeRoeck: Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Have Been Admitted, Established or Determined to Be Credible

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