By Howard Packowitz
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria, which covers McLean County, is ordering three retired priests to step down from public ministry due to what it said were “credible allegations” of sexual abuse of a minor.
One of the three is Fr. Duane Leclercq, who served at Bloomington’s Holy Trinity Church from 1964 through 1968. He also served at St. John in Clinton and St. Patrick in Wapella in the 1980’s and St. Patrick in Dwight in 1994, according to a Diocese news release.
The Diocese said the alleged sexual misconduct involving Leclercq happened approximately 30 years ago.
Allegations against Fr. George Hiland happened about 50 years ago, and reported sexual abuse involving Fr. John Onderko happened approximately 55 years ago, according to the Diocese.
Hiland’s 13 years at Streator’s St. Stephen ended in 1971. He worked at St. John the Baptist in Fairbury and St. James in Forrest from 1976 to 1992 and St. Patrick in Dwight until he reached Senior Status in 1994.
None of Onderko’s assignments were in the WJBC listening area.
Bishop Daniel Jenky is prohibiting all three men from using the title Father or Reverend or wearing clerical garb and the Roman collar.
The Diocese said the allegations were reported to state prosecutors.
Bishop Jenky said in a statement that he apologizes and prays daily for all sexual abuse victims.
The Diocese said its ‘safe environment’ program has made an important impact on the safety of children in Catholic faith communities throughout the 26 counties, including McLean, Livingston, Logan, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties.
The following is a news release issued Thursday evening from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria:
NEWS RELEASE
The Diocese of Peoria, Illinois
November 1, 2018
For Immediate Release
“Catholic Diocese of Peoria Removes
Three Retired Priests from Public Ministry”
Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, upon the unanimous advice of the Diocesan Review Commission, has required these three retired priests to step down from public ministry due to each having credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor:
Fr. George Hiland
Fr. Duane Leclercq
Fr. John Onderko
Hiland is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor approximately fifty years ago.
Leclercq has been alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor
approximately thirty years ago.
Onderko has been alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor
approximately fifty-five years ago.
Effective immediately, Hiland, Leclercq and Onderko can no longer function as Catholic priests in any public capacity, wear clerical garb or the Roman collar, and are to refrain from using the title Reverend or Father.
It is the policy of the Diocese to report all allegations of child sexual abuse to the proper State’s Attorney. Accordingly, these allegations have been reported to the proper State’s Attorneys.
George Hiland’s assignments while serving in the Diocese of Peoria included: St.
Stephen, Streator (1958-1971), St. Patrick, Arlington (1971-1976), St. John the Baptist, Fairbury and St. James, Forrest (1976-1992), St. Patrick, Dwight (1992-1994), Senior Status (1994).
Duane Leclercq’s assignments while serving in the Diocese of Peoria included: Holy
Trinity, Bloomington (1964-1968), St. Mark, Peoria (1968-1971), St. Mary, Moline
(1971-1973), St. Vincent de Paul, Peoria (1973-1976), Sacre Coeur, Creve Coeur (1976-1979), St. Edward, Chillicothe (1979-1982), Director of Teens Encounter Christ, with residence at St. Bernard, Peoria (1982-1983), St. John, Clinton, and St. Patrick, Wapella (1983-1989), St. Theresa, Earlville (1989-1991), St. Boniface, Peoria (1991-1994), St. Patrick, Dwight (1994), St. Patrick, LaSalle (1994-2003), Sacred Heart, Granville and St. Patrick, Hennepin (2003-2008), Senior Status (2008).
John Onderko’s assignments while serving in the Diocese of Peoria included: St.
Hyacinth, LaSalle (1962), Sacre Coeur, Creve Coeur (1962-1965), St. Hyacinth (1965- 1980), Holy Cross, Mendota and Sts. Peter and Paul, Peterstown (1980-1981), St. Mary, Moline (1981-1993), Resurrection, LaSalle (1993-2005), Senior Status (2005).
Under the direction of Bishop Jenky, the Diocese of Peoria remains committed to
maintaining a safe environment for all children. The implementation of the current safe environment program used within the Diocese has made an important impact on the safety of the children in the Catholic faith communities throughout the 26 counties of the diocese.
Bishop Jenky continues to pray daily for all victims of sexual abuse and apologizes and prays that the Lord will heal the wounds resulting from this abuse.
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Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
