Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse: Joseph L. Fitzharris (Chicago)

-Fr. Joseph L Fitzharris worked in the Archdiocese of Chicago throughout his career as a priest. In 1986, the Archdiocese of Chicago learned that Fr. Joseph L. Fitzharris had been accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy. Chicago law enforcement was notified and, in 1987, Fr. Fitzharris was convicted in Cook County for sexual abuse of a minor. Fr. Fitzharris was sentenced to one-year court supervision and was reassigned to Good Shepard in Chicago, Illinois. In 1988, Bishop Raymond Goedert was purportedly informed that Fr. Fitzharris brought a boy to his room. Cardinal Joseph Bernadin told Fr. Fitzharris that he needed to live in a treatment facility for child-molesting clerics and suggested that he devote his ministry to working with offenders. Fr. Fitzharris was assigned to work at various facilities known for treating priests accused of child sexual abuse. Fr. Fitzharris reportedly admitted to Bishop Thomas Paprocki in 2003 that he had sex with at least nine boys. In 2011, Fr. Fitzharris was laicized. Fr. Fitzharris is included in the “Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors.” Fr. Fitzharris’ whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.

If you were sexually abused by Joseph L. Fitzharris or other Catholic clergy in Chicago, we want to help. Confidentially contact the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates to begin your journey toward healing and justice.