Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Robert “Bud” DeGrand

Father Robert “Bud” DeGrand is a former priest who was accused of sexual abuse of a child during one of his ministry assignments in the early 1980s. This allegation was not brought to light until 2013, which ultimately ended his ministry career. 

• Primary Entity Name: Robert DeGrand
• Common Variations / Aliases: Father Robert DeGrand, Fr. DeGrand, Bud, Bud DeGrand
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Parish Priest
• Current Status: Removed from ministry (2015)

This page summarizes the history of abuse allegations against Robert “Bud” DeGrand, his ministry assignments, and the institution’s response to his conduct.

Public Identification and Clergy Status

According to reports from the Diocese of Springfield, IL, the abusive behavior was not known about until 2013, at which point church officials took immediate action to investigate the matter. Since then, multiple entities have identified DeGrand for sexual abuse, including:

• The Diocese of Springfield on November 29, 2018
• The Office of the Attorney General in Illinois, via a 2023 report

DeGrand was named by these entities for substantiated allegations of sexual abuse. 

Key Status Facts

Ordination Year: 1980 in the Diocese of Springfield, IL

Years in Active Ministry: 1981-1996, 1999-2015 (roughly 32 years)

Locations Where He Served: The Diocese of Springfield (Jacksonville, Winchester, Bluffs, Granite City, Neoga, Sigel, Effingham, and Lillyville)

Restrictions: Removed from ministry temporarily in 2013, removed from ministry permanently in 2015

Criminal Convictions: None

Laicization: N/A

Public Disclosure: November 29, 2018, by the Diocese of Springfield

Assignment History

Primary Diocese: Diocese of Springfield, IL

Parish Assignments (as documented in public reports):

1980-1987 – Our Savior in Jacksonville, IL

1987-1991 – St. Mark in Winchester, IL, and St. Patrick in Bluffs, IL

1991-1996 – St. Elizabeth in Granite City, IL

1999-2011 – St. Mary of the Assumption in Neoga, IL

1999-2015 – Saint Michael the Archangel in Sigel, IL

2005-2015 – Saint Mary Help of Christians in Effingham, IL, and Sacred Heart in Lillyville, IL

Non-Church Assignments:

1991 – Jacksonville Pre-Release Center in Jacksonville, IL

Known Allegations

Robert “Bud” DeGrand is accused of sexually abusing a child around 1980. This occurred during his assignment at the Our Savior church in Jacksonville, IL. However, there are no records of the abuse being reported at the time. From 1996 to 1999, DeGrand was placed on an administrative leave of absence, though there is no record of this leave being related to the sexual abuse committed in 1980.

The Diocese of Springfield recorded its first report of the abuse in 2013. Immediately, the leadership recommended that the Diocesan Review Board investigate the matter. At the recommendation of this board, DeGrand temporarily withdrew from ministry work. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) demanded that DeGrand be suspended rather than allowing him to step away on his own terms. 

In 2014, the review board determined that the accusations against Robert DeGrand were substantiated and referred the matter to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2015, DeGrand was permanently removed from ministry work because of the sexual abuse that took place nearly 35 years prior. 

Summary: The sexual abuse of a child committed by DeGrand in 1980 was not reported to the Diocese of Springfield until 2013, at which point the priest withdrew from ministry until he was removed completely in 2015. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods: 

• Bishop Joseph A. McNicholas (1975-1983)
• Bishop Daniel L. Ryan (1984-1999)
• Bishop George J. Lucas (1999-2009)
• Bishop Thomas John Paprocki (2010-)

Advocacy Bodies Referenced: Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

Institutional Actions and Review

Based on public records, it does not appear that the Diocese of Springfield knew about the sexual abuse incident that occurred in 1980 until 2013. The reasons for DeGrand’s administrative leave between 1996 and 1999 are unknown.

When the allegations surfaced in 2013, the diocese took immediate action to investigate. Within days, the Diocesan Review Board determined that the allegations were credible and recommended that DeGrand step back from ministry temporarily. SNAP representatives were dissatisfied that the man now listed as one of the accused Illinois priests was allowed to step back rather than be suspended. 

The review board then referred the matter to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2015, the Diocese of Springfield permanently removed DeGrand from active ministry. In 2018, the Diocese of Springfield published a list of known clergy members who had substantiated sexual abuse claims against them, which included Robert DeGrand.  

Timeline

1980 – DeGrand is ordained by the Diocese of Springfield

1980-1996 – Assigned to various parishes in Illinois

1980 – Sexually abuses a young boy while working at Our Savior in Jacksonville

1996-1999 – Placed on administrative leave for unknown reasons

1999-2015 – Returns to ministry work

2013 – A report is made that DeGrand committed sexual abuse against a child in 1980, which was investigated by the Diocesan Review Board

2013 – DeGrand withdraws from ministry temporarily at the recommendation of the board

2015 – The Diocese of Springfield removes DeGrand fully from ministry assignments

2018 – DeGrand is named as a substantiated sexual abuser in the Diocese of Springfield

2023 – The Attorney General’s report on clergy abuse in Illinois includes the allegations against Robert DeGrand

Speak With an Attorney

In many cases, survivors of clergy sexual abuse do not come forward for years. At the Injury Lawyer Team, we provide compassionate legal support to victims pursuing justice against at-fault parties and fair compensation for legal damages. 

We offer a free and confidential consultation about your case so you can share your story in a safe environment. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with experienced Illinois clergy abuse attorneys. 

Sources

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

• The Office of the Attorney General’s profile of Robert “Bud” DeGrand
• The 2023 report from the Attorney General on clergy abuse in Illinois
• An article published by The State Journal-Register about the former Jacksonville priest
• The Attorney General’s report on the Diocese of Springfield

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.