Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader

This page outlines the assignments, publicly reported allegations of child sexual abuse, and institutional actions involving Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader, as part of the Injury Lawyer Team’s legal representation of survivors in Illinois clergy abuse cases.

• Primary Entity Name: Anthony Joseph Vader
• Common Variations / Aliases: Father Anthony Vader, Fr. Anthony Vader, Anthony J. Vader
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Catholic Priest, Parish Ministry
• Current Status: Deceased

Public Identification and Clergy Status

Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader was publicly identified as a Catholic priest with substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse through official disclosures by Church authorities and the State of Illinois. His name appears in records released by the Archdiocese of Chicago and in statewide investigative findings addressing clergy sexual abuse in Illinois.

The Archdiocese of Chicago listed Fr. Vader after an internal review concluded that multiple allegations against him were substantiated. He was also named in the Illinois Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation, which examined allegations involving Catholic clergy statewide and assessed how Church authorities responded to those reports.

Entity that Listed Him: Archdiocese of Chicago; Illinois Attorney General’s Office

Reason for Listing: Substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse identified through internal Church review and documented in statewide investigative findings.

Key Status Facts

• Ordination Year: 1952
• Years in Active Ministry: 1952–2003
• Locations Where He Served: Archdiocese of Chicago (Illinois)
• Restrictions: Ministry restrictions and monitoring imposed beginning in late 2002
• Removal / Reassignment: Removed from public ministry in 2003
• Laicization: Not publicly reported or documented
• Public Disclosure / Listing Date: March 20, 2006 (Archdiocese of Chicago)
• Reported Survivors: Thirteen individuals, as reflected in public records
• Died: 2011

Assignment History

Primary Archdiocese: Archdiocese of Chicago

Parish, Institutional, and Residential Assignments (as documented in public disclosures):

• Holy Cross Parish – Chicago, IL
• Saint Laurence Parish – Chicago, IL
• Holy Name of Mary Parish – Chicago, IL
• Review Board Member – Archdiocese of Chicago
• Sabbatical from Review Board – Archdiocese of Chicago
• Sacred Heart Mission House Residence – Chicago, IL
• Cardinal Stritch Retreat House – Mundelein, IL
• Holy Family Villa – Palos Park, IL

These assignments and residences establish the institutional settings and time periods relevant to reported allegations involving Fr. Vader, including both parish ministry and later restricted or monitored placements.

Known Allegations

Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader was the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse involving minors, as documented in Archdiocese of Chicago records and summarized in statewide investigative findings. The alleged abuse occurred during his years in ministry within the Archdiocese of Chicago and involved minors with whom he came into contact through his role as a Catholic priest.

According to public disclosures, the alleged misconduct took place on church property and in parish-related settings in Illinois. Reported abuse spans multiple decades, with allegations dating to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, as well as additional reports referencing the mid-1990s. Locations identified in public summaries include Chicago, Illinois, and Deerfield, Illinois.

Church authorities reviewed the allegations through an internal process. The Archdiocesan Review Board determined that at least five allegations were substantiated, and public records reflect that thirteen individuals were identified as reported survivors. The number and consistency of reports established a documented pattern of alleged misconduct rather than a single isolated incident.

There is no indication in public records that Fr. Vader faced criminal prosecution related to these allegations. However, the Archdiocese of Chicago acknowledged the claims, imposed restrictions, and ultimately removed him from public ministry. His case was later included in the Illinois Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation as part of a broader review of institutional handling of abuse allegations across Illinois dioceses.

Summary: Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader was accused by multiple individuals of sexually abusing minors during parish ministry in Illinois; Church authorities substantiated multiple allegations and removed him from public ministry.

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods:

• Cardinal Albert Gregory Meyer – Archdiocese of Chicago
• Cardinal John Cody – Archdiocese of Chicago

Associated Organizations: Archdiocese of Chicago parish and institutional communities

Legal / Advocacy Bodies Referenced: Illinois Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation

Institutional Actions and Review

Publicly released records indicate that the Archdiocese of Chicago first received an allegation involving Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader in late 2002. Following an initial review, Church officials concluded there was reasonable cause to suspect sexual misconduct involving minors. As a result, Fr. Vader was placed under ministry restrictions and monitoring, including supervision requirements and limitations on contact with minors.

In 2003, Fr. Vader was removed from public ministry. Public summaries further indicate that additional reports were received after restrictions were imposed. Church records reflect ongoing administrative review and concerns regarding compliance with imposed conditions while he remained under supervision.

In 2005, Church authorities issued a formal determination concluding that allegations against Fr. Vader were substantiated through the Archdiocese’s review process. His faculties were suspended and were never restored. He remained in restricted status until his death in 2011.

Public disclosure of Fr. Vader’s status occurred through the Archdiocese of Chicago’s publication of clergy with substantiated allegations, followed by inclusion in statewide investigative findings. Additional background on clergy disclosures in Illinois can be found on the list of accused clergy in Illinois.

Timeline

1952 — Ordained as a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago

1952–2001 — Served in parish, institutional, and archdiocesan roles in Illinois

1950s–1970s — Alleged abuse reportedly occurred during parish ministry in Illinois

1994–1995 — Additional reported abuse period referenced in public records

Late 2002 — First allegation reported to the Archdiocese of Chicago

2002 — Ministry restrictions and monitoring imposed

2003 — Removed from public ministry

2005 — Church authorities substantiated allegations; faculties suspended

March 20, 2006 — Publicly listed by the Archdiocese of Chicago

2011 — Died

2023 — Included in the Illinois Attorney General’s clergy abuse report

Speak With an Attorney

If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Fr. Anthony Joseph Vader or by another Catholic clergy member in Illinois, you may still have legal options available. A confidential consultation with an experienced Illinois clergy abuse attorney can help you understand your rights and determine the next steps toward accountability and recovery.

Sources and Public Records

This page is based on public records, official Church disclosures, legal filings, and survivor reports, including the following:

• The Illinois Attorney General’s Report on Catholic Clergy Abuse – Narrative for Anthony Joseph Vader, which details allegations, institutional responses, and review findings related to Fr. Vader’s ministry in Illinois.
• The Illinois Attorney General’s Clergy Abuse Abuser List entry for Anthony Joseph Vader, which lists Fr. Vader as a priest with substantiated allegations and provides summary data regarding reported survivors and Church actions.
• The BishopAccountability.org profile for Anthony Joseph Vader, which aggregates publicly released Church records, investigative reporting, and related documentation concerning Fr. Vader’s assignments and allegations.

No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in public court records or official Church reports.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.