Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father John W. Eccleston

Father John W. Eccleston was a Catholic priest ordained in 1955 who served under the Archdiocese of Washington and later in other dioceses, including St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was accused and later convicted of child sexual abuse. He died in 2012.

Eccleston was first accused of sexual misconduct in 1960 while serving in the Archdiocese of Washington. After being sent for evaluation and treatment, he was cleared to return to ministry in 1962.

Instead of the Catholic church dismissing him altogether, they just transferred him to the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he continued to serve until his incardination in 1973.

In 1982, he was arrested and convicted in Minnesota for child sexual abuse. His name appears on lists of credibly accused clergy in multiple dioceses.

List of Assignments of  Father John W. Eccleston 

Archdiocese of Washington, DC (1955–1962)

• Bernadette’s in Silver Spring, MD

Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota (1962–2012)

• 1961- 1966 Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Staples, Minnesota)
• 1966 – 1971 The Church of St. Edward (Henning, Minnesota)
• 1971 – 1982 Ave Maria Catholic Church (Wheaton, Minnesota)
• 1983 – 2002 St. Francis Convent (Little Falls, Minnesota)

Articles About Father John W. Eccleston

Bishop Accountability: John W. Eccleston Profile

Patch: DC Priest Sentenced For Sex Abuse; List Of VA, MD Accused Priests

ProPublica: John Eccleston, Diocese of Charleston – Credibly Accused

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