Deacon Francis Theis
Deacon Francis Theis was the manager of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows gift shop. He was removed from his position in 1993. Deacon Theis was found to be unfit to continue working within the Diocese of Belleville by the Diocese’s Review Board. Deacon Theis was named by one person in a civil lawsuit alleging he sexually abused a minor. It is also alleged that Deacon Theis was a member of a sex ring that included priests within the Diocese of Belleville. In 2018, Deacon Theis was included on the Diocese of Belleville’s list of “Clergy who are Currently Removed from Ministry after Credibly Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors, or Serious Sexual Misconduct with Adults.” Deacon Theis’ current whereabouts, status as a deacon, and whether he has access to children are unknown.