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Were you abused by Father Mark Menezes?

FATHER MARK MENEZES SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS

GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by Father Mark Menezes in the Diocese of Joliet. Talk to us about what happened. The consultation is free and confidential. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES

Confidential • No fee unless we win

THE CASE — BACKGROUND

Father Mark Menezes

Father Mark Menezes was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Joliet on April 26, 1959. During his ministry he served at St. Alexander Parish in Villa Park, St. Boniface Parish in Monee, St. Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook (1972–1982), St. Joseph Parish in Downers Grove, St. Lawrence Parish in South Wilmington, and St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish in Essex.

Legal Help For Survivors

WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE ABUSED BY
CLERGY IN ILLINOIS?

ALLEGATIONS & TIMELINE

What the Records Show

Legal Claims

What GGH Law Is Investigating

GGH Law is investigating civil claims on behalf of survivors. The following claims are central to the investigation.

Clergy Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Father Menezes allegedly sexually abused a minor while serving at St. Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook, an allegation substantiated by the Diocese of Joliet following a canonical investigation in 2024.

Negligent Supervision

The Diocese of Joliet is alleged to have failed to adequately supervise Menezes and protect children in its care during the period of alleged abuse.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

The Diocese of Joliet owed a duty of care to children in its parishes. That duty was allegedly breached through the conditions that allowed abuse to occur at St. Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook.

Named Defendants

Who Is Being Investigated

Father Mark Menezes

Ordained April 26, 1959, Diocese of Joliet. Served at parishes in Villa Park, Monee, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, South Wilmington, and Essex.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet

In 2023, Bishop Hicks disclosed an allegation that Menezes had abused a minor approximately 50 years ago at St. Dominic in Bolingbrook.

Your Attorneys

GGH Is Fighting for Families Like Yours

If you or someone you love was harmed due to negligence at a Catholic parish, school, or other Diocese-affiliated institution in Illinois, you may have legal options. GGH Law represents survivors in civil cases involving negligence, failure to supervise, and failure to disclose incidents of alleged abuse or harm.

Institutions have a legal duty to protect those in their care. When they fail to properly screen clergy, ignore warning signs, or conceal incidents of harm, they can be held accountable. The same applies to the Diocese itself — when a central authority oversees a network of parishes and schools, it also shares responsibility for ensuring those locations are safe.

 

Experienced Attorneys

Clergy Il: Father Mark Menezes - Gould Grieco &Amp; Hensley

GOULD GRIECO & HENSLEY
INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE LITIGATION TEAM
Gould Grieco & Hensley is a national personal injury firm that represents survivors in high-stakes institutional accountability cases, including this clergy sex abuse investigation.

You never pay out of pocket.

WE WORK ON CONTINGENCY
NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

You only pay if we secure compensation.

Questions Survivors Are Asking

Frequently Asked Questions

Father Mark Menezes was ordained in 1959 for the Diocese of Joliet. He served at multiple parishes, most notably at St. Dominic in Bolingbrook from 1972 to 1982. A sexual abuse allegation was substantiated by the Diocese in 2024.
The Diocese received an allegation that Menezes sexually abused a minor approximately 50 years ago at St. Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook.
Possibly yes. Illinois has significantly expanded its statutes of limitation for childhood sexual abuse claims in recent years. GGH Law can evaluate your situation in a free, confidential consultation.
No. GGH Law handles these cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Your consultation is completely free and confidential.
ACCOUNTABLITY FOR SURVIVORS:
THE GGH ADVANDAGE
Gould Grieco & Hensley (GGH) is a prestigious, boutique national personal injury firm that serves as a relentless advocate for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries. Recognized as "Innovators of Law," the firm combines world-class legal expertise with state-of-the-art technology—including agile project management and cutting-edge trial techniques—to secure unprecedented results against the world’s largest institutional defendants. With a proven track record that includes global settlements exceeding $2 billion and individual verdicts surpassing $550 million, their award-winning attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis to ensure justice is accessible without upfront costs. From the courtroom to features in The New York Times and Forbes, Gould Grieco and Hensley remains dedicated to turning strategic precision and aggressive litigation into life-changing outcomes for their clients.