Sexual Abuse and Assault Injury Lawyers
Lawrence Mullins Sexual Abuse Allegations
This page outlines the assignments, allegations, and institutional responses involving Lawrence Mullins, a Catholic priest associated with the Diocese of Joliet, as part of the Injury Lawyer Team’s work representing survivors of clergy abuse in Illinois, including the Joliet and Chicago area.
- Primary Entity Name: Lawrence W. Mullins
- Common Variations / Aliases: Father Lawrence Mullins, Fr. Lawrence Mullins, Lawrence Mullins, Lawrence W.
- Role / Title at Time of Alleged Abuse: Parish priest and chaplain roles within the Diocese of Joliet
- Current Status: Removed from ministry; listed among credibly accused priests; deceased
We can help you learn more about the law, including why a prior case was dismissed or whether you’re entitled to a settlement if the perpetrator was not convicted of a crime.
Public Identification and Clergy Status Regarding Child Sex Abuse
Larry was publicly identified as a credibly accused member of the clergy through disclosures and civil litigation filings. He was identified by:
His name appears in summaries of cases compiled from diocesan records, survivor reports, and court filings connected to IL clergy abuse litigation.
- Entity that Listed Him: Diocese of Joliet, IL, Attorney General’s Office
- Reason for Listing: Multiple credible accusations that the priest committed sexual abuse throughout his priesthood
Key Status Facts of Lawrence W. Mullins
Ordination Year: 1977
Years in Active Ministry: 1977-2018
Primary Diocese: Diocese of Joliet
Parishes Served: Cathedral of St. Raymond (Nonnatus), Immaculate Conception Parish (Elmhurst), St Margaret Mary Parish (Naperville)
Restrictions: Removed from ministry in 1993, laicized in 2018
Civil Lawsuits: Multiple filed, and later plaintiffs refiled under IL law
Status: Listed as credibly accused
Clerical State: Laicized in 2018
Assignment History
Primary Diocese: Diocese of Joliet, IL
Based on diocesan summaries and public litigation records, Father Mullins served in parish ministry at various locations in Joliet, Chicago-area communities, and nearby regions of IL.
Parish Assignments (as documented in public reports):
- The Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus – Joliet, IL (1978–1983)
- Immaculate Conception – Elmhurst, IL (1984–1989)
- St. Margaret Mary Church – Naperville, IL (1990–1993)
Non-Parish Assignments: Mullins regularly participated in activities outside of preaching, including visiting parishioners in their homes, coaching youth basketball, and being actively involved with youth. He was extremely active in the spiritual coaching of the youth.
Known Allegations
Mullins was the subject of claims for the majority of his priesthood. According to Bishop Accountability, the first ones were made in 1975, prior to his ordination in 1977. One victim says the incidents took place in 1978 at his home, school, and the rectory.
Reports continued to pile up. In 1980, he molested a boy as his basketball coach. He received the nickname Father Gacy after the serial predator John William Gacy. A 2006 lawsuit alleged that Mullins molested five boys in 1987.
He admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a student in 1980, but insisted the student was not a minor at the time. They discussed a change of residence with Larry.
Further accusations came forth in 2009, in which another victim alleges the priest took him away from the religious establishment to the fire department, where he was a fire chaplain. The priest let them drive and drink alcoholic beverages. The situation happened during the 1970s. These allegations were later substantiated.
Summary: Civil filings and diocesan reviews state that Mullins faced credible allegations of abusing minors during his service as a priest in the Joliet church.
Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods
The Bishop oversees the priest at the Diocese of Joliet. Two Bishops oversaw the diocese while Mullins was actively involved in the church, or the subject of multiple lawsuits:
- Bishop Romeo R. Blanchette: Oversaw the church from 1966 until 1979.
- Bishop Joseph L. Imesch: Served from 1979 to 2006
Institutional Actions and Review Regarding Abused Children and the Credibly Accused
Although allegations were made in the 1980s, the church leaders who were supposed to protect children took no further action beyond relocating the accused priest. However, allegations were received and reviewed. A letter indicates that a written policy was developed in 1990 regarding accusations and how the religious order should handle them.
A concerned letter from a parishioner indicates that Father Mullins took a sudden leave of absence following allegations in the early 1990s, but it does not specify where he went. The church was not informed of the reason for his leave of absence, and members did not learn why until more than a decade later.
In 1993, Larry was at St. Luke’s Institution, a treatment center for Catholic clergy with emotional problems, including emotional issues, abuse allegations, and sexual problems. In 1994, Larry sent another letter to the Bishop stating that he was seeking full-time employment in the Washington, D.C. area and requesting financial assistance, indicating that he was actively involved in the religion.
Public documents state that he was removed from the ministry in 1994. However, a letter from a concerned person, dated 1995, states that he is listed as in active clerical work in St. Louis and is very worried about Mullins’ unknown location. The letter blames the Bishop for covering for Larry and further states that the unknown location is allegedly to conceal the crime.
Transparency within the church regarding accused priests involved the release of records in 2002, which led to additional lawsuits. The diocese agreed to release personnel files from multiple parishes, including Sacred Heart. He was laicized in 2018.
There is no public record of criminal charges, convictions, or prison sentences related to Mullins.
Timeline
- 1975-1982 — Various types of harm to children at Saint Raymond, Joliet, IL
- 1977 — Ordained
- 1978 — Mullins was sexually abusing children, including George Fehrenbacher, at the Catholic church, school, and when alone.
- 1980 — Mullins abused basketball players and altar boys at St. Raymond’s Cathedral parish school. He became known for child sexual abuse and was nicknamed Father Gacy. Other people reported that sex crimes happened during this same year.
- 1984-1989 — More incidents occurred at Immaculate Conception, Elmhurst, IL
- 1986 — First child sex abuse allegations
- 1987 — Child abuse against five kids ages 9-13. These five men later filed a civil suit together.
- 1993 — Removed from ministry
- 2002 — The Bishop claims the first allegations of Mullins sexually abusing children were made
- 2002 — Five men filed a lawsuit stating they were molested; it was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Four plaintiffs refiled under a new statute. It was dismissed again in 2004.
- 2004 — A sixth plaintiff filed a lawsuit; abuse happened from 1978 to 1980.
- 2006 — Listed on the diocese’s list of priests with credible accusations
- 2013 — Diocese agreed to release personnel files
- 2014 — Diocese released files
- 2018 — Laicized
- 2023 — Listed in the Illinois Grand Jury Report of accused priests
Speak With an Attorney
If you or a loved one were abused by Father Larry Mullins or another leader in the Diocese of Joliet, you may still have legal options to get justice under IL law. Survivors can pursue civil claims for a settlement on behalf of themselves and others harmed by abuse. Confidential consultations are available through the Injury Lawyer Team.
Sources
This page is based on public records, diocesan disclosures, survivor reports, and civil filings. Sources include:
- The Joliet Diocese maintains a list of religious leaders with substantiated claims, including information regarding which parishes they have served
- The Illinois Attorney General’s Office released a report on clergy members with credible accusations that listed Mullins
- The Internet Archive has a comprehensive timeline of abuse at the Joliet Diocese, including allegations and lawsuits against Lawrence W Mullins
No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in official records.
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.