Norman M. Czajka: Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Have Been Admitted, Established or Determined to Be Credible

Norman M. Czajka

Ordained: 1961

  • 1961-1966: St. John of God, Chicago, IL (CHI)
  • 1966-1985: St. Casimir, Chicago, IL (CHI)
  • 1985-1986: St. Mary of Czestochowa, Chicago, IL (CHI)
  • 1986-2004: St. Camillus, Chicago, IL (CHI)
  • 2004-2005: Retired (St. Benedict’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Niles, IL) (CHI)
  • 2006-2009: Resurrection Life Center, Chicago, IL (CHI)
  • 2010-2011: Unknown
  • 2012: Died

Fr. Norman Czajka served in the Archdiocese of Chicago since his ordination in 1961 and was reportedly a chaplain for the Boy Scouts in Chicago from 1968 to 1979. In 2005, a survivor came forward and accused Fr. Czajka of sexually abusing him as a child in 1995. As a result, Fr. Czajka was removed from public ministry in 2006. Fr. Czajka is included in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s list of “Clergy with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors.” Fr. Czajka’s status as a priest, whereabouts and whether he had access to children from approximately 2004 until his death in 2012 are unknown.

5/1/1961          Ordained

1961 – Assistant, St. John of God

1966 – Assistant, St. Casimir and St. Casimir High School (AOC 11939)

1968 – Chaplain, Boy Scouts (AOC 11940)

1979 – Pastor, St. Casimir

1985 – Associate, St. Mary of Czestochowa (AOC 11944)

1986 – Associate Pastor, Pastor Emeritus St. Camillus (AOC 11945)

1992                Czajka sexually abuses minor fifth grader in the sacristy. (AOC 12237- 1238)

9/8/1993          Letter outlining the “many expensive gifts” and a $35,000 transfer to an annuity for Czajka a few months before a widow’s death. (AOC 11958- 11960)

10/8/1993        Archdiocese of Chicago diverts annuity, $38,191.29, through Catholic Charities. (AOC 11974, 11986-11987)

11/29/1993      Memo of Reverend Patrick O’Malley to the file. Classmates of Czajka concerned that events not become an issue of sexual abuse. (AOC 12012)

12/6/1993        Catholic Charities pays estate $24,531.15 (AOC 12020)

2004 – St. Benedict’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (AOC 11937)

5/24/2005        Allegation of child sexual abuse. (AOC 12122-12123)

9/23/2005        Msgr. Fred Easton JCL appointed canonical advocate for Czajka. (AOC 12139)

2006                Review Board determines 1995 abuse substantiated. (AOC 11927)

10/2012           Died