Were you abused by Father Walter Weerts?

FATHER WALTER WEERTS SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS

GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by Father Walter Weerts in the Diocese of Springfield. Speak with our team in a free, confidential consultation about your legal options. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES

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THE CASE — BACKGROUND

Father Walter Weerts

Father Walter M. Weerts was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois in 1960. He served at Saint Ambrose in Godfrey, Saint Thomas the Apostle in Decatur, Sacred Heart in Villa Grove, Saint Brigid in Liberty, Saint Thomas in Camp Point, Saint Boniface in Edwardsville, Saint Mary of the Assumption in Sainte Marie, and Saint Valentine in Bend. He pled guilty to abuse in 1986 and was laicized in 1989.

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WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE ABUSED BY
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ALLEGATIONS & TIMELINE

What the Records Show

In May 2023, the Illinois AG’s Report documented that the Diocese of Springfield received 22 reports of child sex abuse. The report found the Diocese had first been warned of Weerts’ behavior with boys in 1962.

According to the Report, the Diocese transferred him rather than reporting the allegation to law enforcement.

In 2004, eight civil settlements were reached with the Diocese of Springfield on behalf of survivors of Weerts’ abuse, totaling $1.2 million.
In September 2003, five men filed lawsuits in Edwardsville against Weerts and the Diocese of Springfield, alleging he had sexually abused them in the mid-1970s and early 1980s.
In November 1998, it was reported that Weerts obtained employment at Palm Beach Community College in Florida after a diocesan priest provided a letter of recommendation that omitted his child sexual abuse criminal conviction.
In 1989, Weerts was laicized.
In March 1986, Weerts pled guilty to the sexual abuse of three boys.

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 — Convicted

Father Weerts pled guilty in 1986 to five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of three boys under 16.

Institutional Cover-Up

The Diocese of Springfield received documented warnings about Weerts’ abuse of boys as early as 1962 and again in 1978. On both occasions, the Diocese transferred him to new parishes rather than reporting to law enforcement.

Negligent Supervision & Retention

The Diocese kept Weerts in active ministry for more than two decades after the first documented warning in 1962.

Facilitated Re-Offending

After Weerts was released from prison, a diocesan priest provided a letter of recommendation omitting his criminal conviction, enabling him to obtain a position teaching children at a Florida community college.

Named Defendants

Who Is Being Investigated

Father Walter M. Weerts

Ordained 1960, Diocese of Springfield. Served at multiple Illinois parishes. Pled guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse of three boys in 1986. Sentenced to six years in prison. Laicized 1989.

Diocese of Springfield

The Diocese received documented warnings about Weerts’ abuse as early as 1962 and again in 1978, and on both occasions transferred him rather than reporting to law enforcement.

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 Walter Weerts - 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.

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NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

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You only pay if we secure compensation.

Questions Survivors Are Asking

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Weerts pled guilty to sexual abuse of three boys in 1986 and was sentenced to six years in prison.

The Illinois AG's 2023 Report shows the Diocese first received documented warnings in 1962 — more than 20 years before Weerts was criminally charged. Eight families had complained that year.

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.