Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese
of the Roman Catholic Church
in the central Illinois
region of the United States
.
. The first bishop of the diocese was John Lancaster Spalding. Later bishops included William E. Cousins
(bishop from 1952 to 1958), John Baptist Franz
, Edward W. O'Rourke, and then O'Rourke's coadjutor bishop
and later successor, John J. Myers
(now Archbishop
of Newark
), who hosted Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta's December 1995 visit to the Peoria diocese.
The Diocese of Peoria comprises the Counties of Bureau
, Champaign
, DeWitt, Fulton
, Hancock
, Henderson, Henry
, Knox
, LaSalle, Livingston
, Logan
, Marshall
, Mason, McDonough, McLean
, Mercer
, Peoria
, Piatt
, Putnam, Rock Island
, Schuyler, Stark
, Tazewell
, Vermilion
, Warren
and Woodford. Aside from Peoria, the Illinois portions of the Quad Cities
of Illinois and Iowa are also part of the Peoria Diocese. The St. John's Catholic Newman Center
on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
, the St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center on the campus of Western Illinois University
, St. Robert Bellarmine Newman Center on the campus of Illinois State University
as well as the St. Joseph Newman Center on the campus of Bradley University
are part of the Peoria Diocese.
, who rested at the Native American village of Peoria on his voyage up the Illinois River
in 1673. Opposite the present site of the episcopal city, Robert de La Salle and Henri de Tonti
in 1680 built Fort Crèvecoeur
, in which Mass was celebrated and the Gospel preached by the Recollect Fathers, Gabriel Ribourdi, Zenobius Membre
, and Louis Hennepin
. With some breaks in the succession, the line of missionaries extends to within a short period of the founding of modern Peoria. In 1839 Father Reho, an Italian, visited Peoria, remaining long enough to build the old stone church in Kickapoo, a small town twelve miles distant. St. Mary's, the first Catholic church in the city proper, was erected by Father John A. Drew in 1846. Among his successors was the poet, Rev. Abram J. Ryan.
Many of the early Irish immigrants came to work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal
; owing to the failure of the contracting company, they received their pay in land scrip instead of cash, and were thus forced to settle upon hitherto untilled farm-land. These Irish farmers, with the Germans, were followed by Poles, Slovaks, Slovenians, Croats, Lithuanians, and Italians who came to work in the coal mines. They were first organized in parishes looked after by priests of their own nationality. The first appointee to the see, Michael Hurley
, requested to be spared the responsibility of organizing and governing the new diocese, and died as vicar-general in 1898.
John Lancaster Spalding was consecrated first Bishop of Peoria, on . He was stricken with paralysis on , and resigned the see, .
is a bishop
serving as pastor
of the mother church
, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in the City of Peoria
. The diocese is part of the Metropolitan Province of Chicago
.
The current bishop of Peoria is Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Bishop Jenky was educated at the University of Notre Dame
and was installed as bishop on April 10, 2002. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
to Bishop John Michael D'Arcy
in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
and as titular bishop
of Amantia
. Prior to his service as auxiliary bishop he had been the superior of his religious community's unit at the University of Notre Dame
.
† = deceased
† = deceased
by clergy in the Peoria diocese.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the central Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
region of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Territory
The Diocese of Peoria was canonically erected on February 12, 1875. Its territory was taken from the former Diocese of ChicagoRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
. The first bishop of the diocese was John Lancaster Spalding. Later bishops included William E. Cousins
William E. Cousins
William Edward Cousins was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Milwaukee from 1958 to 1977.-Biography:...
(bishop from 1952 to 1958), John Baptist Franz
John Baptist Franz
John Baptist Franz was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Dodge City and Bishop of Peoria .-Early life and education:...
, Edward W. O'Rourke, and then O'Rourke's coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
and later successor, John J. Myers
John J. Myers
-References:...
(now Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Newark
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in northern New Jersey, United States. Its ecclesiastic territory includes all of the Catholic parishes and schools in the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Union, Hudson and Essex .-History:Originally established as the Diocese of...
), who hosted Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta's December 1995 visit to the Peoria diocese.
The Diocese of Peoria comprises the Counties of Bureau
Bureau County, Illinois
Bureau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,978, which is a decrease of 1.5% from 35,503 in 2000. Its county seat is Princeton. Bureau County is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, Champaign
Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 201,081, which is an increase of 11.9% from 179,669 in 2000.. It is the 10th most populous county in Illinois...
, DeWitt, Fulton
Fulton County, Illinois
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,069, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 38,250 in 2000. Its county seat is Lewistown. Canton is the largest city. Both cities are southwest of Peoria, and the county is considered...
, Hancock
Hancock County, Illinois
Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 19,104, which is a decrease of 5.1% from 20,121 in 2000. Its county seat is Carthage. Hamilton is the largest city in Hancock County, with Carthage being the second largest...
, Henderson, Henry
Henry County, Illinois
Henry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 50,486, which is a decrease of 1.0% from 51,020 in 2000. Its county seat is Cambridge...
, Knox
Knox County, Illinois
Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 52,919, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 55,836 in 2000...
, LaSalle, Livingston
Livingston County, Illinois
Livingston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,950, which is a decrease of 1.8% from 39,678 in 2000. Its county seat is Pontiac....
, Logan
Logan County, Illinois
Logan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 30,305, which is a decrease of 2.8% from 31,183 in 2000...
, Marshall
Marshall County, Illinois
The median income for a household in the county was $41,576, and the median income for a family was $48,061. Males had a median income of $35,765 versus $21,452 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,065...
, Mason, McDonough, McLean
McLean County, Illinois
McLean County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. McLean County is included in the Bloomington–Normal, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 169,572, which is an increase of 12.7% from 150,433 in 2000. Its county seat is...
, Mercer
Mercer County, Illinois
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,434, which is a decrease of 3.1% from 16,957 in 2000. Its county seat is Aledo...
, Peoria
Peoria County, Illinois
Peoria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 186,494, which is an increase of 1.7% from 183,433 in 2000. Its county seat is Peoria....
, Piatt
Piatt County, Illinois
Piatt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,729, which is an increase of 2.2% from 16,365 in 2000...
, Putnam, Rock Island
Rock Island County, Illinois
Rock Island County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 147,546, which is a decrease of 1.2% from 149,374 in 2000. Its county seat is Rock Island...
, Schuyler, Stark
Stark County, Illinois
Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,994, which is a decrease of 5.3% from 6,332 in 2000...
, Tazewell
Tazewell County, Illinois
Tazewell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 135,394, which is an increase of 5.4% from 128,485 in 2000. Its county seat and largest city is Pekin. The majority of the population live in the suburbs and bedroom communities...
, Vermilion
Vermilion County, Illinois
Vermilion County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Illinois, between the Indiana border and Champaign County. It was established in 1826 and was the 45th of Illinois' 102 counties...
, Warren
Warren County, Illinois
-External links:**...
and Woodford. Aside from Peoria, the Illinois portions of the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
of Illinois and Iowa are also part of the Peoria Diocese. The St. John's Catholic Newman Center
St. John's Catholic Newman Center
St. John's Catholic Newman Center is the largest Newman Center in the United States. It is located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Consisting of St...
on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, the St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center on the campus of Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
, St. Robert Bellarmine Newman Center on the campus of Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
as well as the St. Joseph Newman Center on the campus of Bradley University
Bradley University
Bradley University, founded in 1897, is a private, co-educational university located in Peoria, Illinois. It is a small institution with an enrollment of approximately 6,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students and a full-time faculty of approximately 350....
are part of the Peoria Diocese.
History
Catholicism in this region dates from the days of Jacques MarquetteJacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
, who rested at the Native American village of Peoria on his voyage up the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
in 1673. Opposite the present site of the episcopal city, Robert de La Salle and Henri de Tonti
Henri de Tonti
Henri de Tonti was an Italian-born soldier, explorer, and fur trader in the service of France.-Early life:Henri de Tonti, a Sicilian, was mostly likely born near Gaeta, Italy in either 1649 or 1650. He was the son of Lorenzo de Tonti, a financier and former governor of Gaeta...
in 1680 built Fort Crèvecoeur
Fort Crevecoeur
Fort Crevecoeur was founded near the present site of Creve Coeur, a suburb of Peoria, Illinois, in January 1680.-Founding:...
, in which Mass was celebrated and the Gospel preached by the Recollect Fathers, Gabriel Ribourdi, Zenobius Membre
Zenobius Membre
Zenobius Membre was a French Franciscan missionary in North America.-Life:He was a member of the Franciscan province of St. Antony. He arrived in Canada in 1675, and in 1679 he accompanied Robert de La Salle to the country of the Illinois, of which he wrote a description...
, and Louis Hennepin
Louis Hennepin
Father Louis Hennepin, O.F.M. baptized Antoine, was a Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Recollect order and an explorer of the interior of North America....
. With some breaks in the succession, the line of missionaries extends to within a short period of the founding of modern Peoria. In 1839 Father Reho, an Italian, visited Peoria, remaining long enough to build the old stone church in Kickapoo, a small town twelve miles distant. St. Mary's, the first Catholic church in the city proper, was erected by Father John A. Drew in 1846. Among his successors was the poet, Rev. Abram J. Ryan.
Many of the early Irish immigrants came to work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal
Illinois and Michigan Canal
The Illinois and Michigan Canal ran from the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago on the Chicago River to LaSalle-Peru, Illinois, on the Illinois River. It was finished in 1848 when Chicago Mayor James Hutchinson Woodworth presided over its opening; and it allowed boat transportation from the Great...
; owing to the failure of the contracting company, they received their pay in land scrip instead of cash, and were thus forced to settle upon hitherto untilled farm-land. These Irish farmers, with the Germans, were followed by Poles, Slovaks, Slovenians, Croats, Lithuanians, and Italians who came to work in the coal mines. They were first organized in parishes looked after by priests of their own nationality. The first appointee to the see, Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley is an American singer/guitarist. He also plays the fiddle and piano. He grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.-Career:...
, requested to be spared the responsibility of organizing and governing the new diocese, and died as vicar-general in 1898.
John Lancaster Spalding was consecrated first Bishop of Peoria, on . He was stricken with paralysis on , and resigned the see, .
Bishops
The prelatePrelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
is a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
serving as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the mother church
Mother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in the City of Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. The diocese is part of the Metropolitan Province of Chicago
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago was established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880. It serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 31 deaneries...
.
The current bishop of Peoria is Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.
Congregation of Holy Cross
The Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
Bishop Jenky was educated at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and was installed as bishop on April 10, 2002. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
to Bishop John Michael D'Arcy
John Michael D'Arcy
John Michael D'Arcy is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the eighth diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and holds the title of bishop emeritus. He was succeeded as diocesan bishop by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, who was named to the post by Pope...
in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is a Roman Catholic diocese in north-central and northeastern Indiana. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades was appointed diocesan bishop by Pope Benedict XVI on November 14, 2009, and was installed on January 13, 2010...
and as titular bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Amantia
Amantia
Amantia or Abantia was an ancient Greek polis in Epirus. It occupied an important defensive position above the Aoos river valley to the east, and on the road to the coast and the Bay of Vlorë. A Greek temple, the Aphrodite temple, a theatre, and a stadium have also been found in the city...
. Prior to his service as auxiliary bishop he had been the superior of his religious community's unit at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
.
Timeline of Bishops
- † John Lancaster Spalding (1876–1908, Resigned)
- † Edmund Michael DunneEdmund Michael DunneEdmund Michael Dunne was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Peoria from 1902 until his death in 1929.-Biography:...
(1909–1929, Died) - † Joseph Henry Leo SchlarmanJoseph Henry Leo SchlarmanJoseph Henry Leo Schlarman was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Peoria from 1930 until his death in 1951.-Biography:...
(1930–1951, Died) - † William Edward Cousins (1952–1958, Appointed, Archbishop of Milwaukee)
- † John Baptist FranzJohn Baptist FranzJohn Baptist Franz was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Dodge City and Bishop of Peoria .-Early life and education:...
(1959–1971, Retired) - † Edward William O'RourkeEdward William O'RourkeEdward William O'Rourke was the sixth Roman Catholic Bishop of Peoria .-Biography:One of eleven children, Edward O'Rourke was born in Downs, Illinois, to Martin and Mary O'Rourke...
(1971–1990; appointed bishop on May 24, 1971; ordained a bishop on July 15, 1971; retired on January 22, 1990; died September 29, 1999) - John Joseph Myers (1990–2001; appointed coadjutor bishop in 1987; ordained a bishop on September 3, 1987; became diocesan bishop by right of succession on January 22, 1990; appointed Archbishop of Newark on July 24, 2001)
- Daniel Robert JenkyDaniel Robert JenkyDaniel Robert Jenky, CSC is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who currently serves as Bishop of Peoria.-Life and career:...
, C.S.C.Congregation of Holy CrossThe Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
(2002–present)
† = deceased
Diocesan priests who became bishops
The following men began their service as priests in Peoria before being appointed bishops elsewhere:- † Gerald Thomas BerganGerald Thomas Bergan-References:...
- 1934, Bishop of Des MoinesRoman Catholic Diocese of Des MoinesThe Diocese of Des Moines is the Roman Catholic diocese for the southwestern quarter of the state of Iowa.Dioecesis Desmoinensis is the Latin title of the diocese, and the Diocese of Des Moines is the corporate title of the diocese. The Cathedral parish for the Diocese is St. Ambrose's Cathedral....
; 1948 Archbishop of OmahaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of OmahaThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the midwestern region of the United States. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss... - † Fulton J. SheenFulton J. SheenServant of God Fulton John Sheen, born Peter John Sheen was an American archbishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio...
– appointed auxiliary bishop of New York in 1951; ordained a bishop on June 11, 1951; appointed bishop of RochesterBishop of RochesterThe Bishop of Rochester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the west of the county of Kent and is centred in the city of Rochester where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
in 1966; resigned in 1969; then elevated to titular archbishop; buried in crypt of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New YorkSt. Patrick's Cathedral, New YorkThe Cathedral of St. Patrick is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States...
.
† = deceased
High schools
- Alleman High SchoolAlleman High School (Rock Island, Illinois)Alleman Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Rock Island, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria.-School history:Alleman High School was established in 1949. It was named in honor of Rev...
, Rock IslandRock Island, IllinoisRock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities... - Central Catholic High SchoolCentral Catholic High School (Bloomington, Illinois)Central Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in Bloomington, Illinois, and serves approximately 400 students from around the Bloomington-Normal area....
, BloomingtonBloomington, IllinoisBloomington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States and the county seat. It is adjacent to Normal, Illinois, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area... - Marquette High SchoolMarquette High School (Ottawa, Illinois)Marquette Academy is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Ottawa, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria.-History:...
, Ottawa, IllinoisOttawa, IllinoisOttawa is a city located at the confluence of the Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,786... - Peoria Notre Dame High SchoolPeoria Notre Dame High SchoolPeoria Notre Dame High School is a Catholic parochial high school in Peoria, Illinois. It is the largest parochial school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria with approximately 815 students and has a college preparatory curriculum. According to the school, more than 99% of students graduating...
, Peoria - St. Bede AcademySt. Bede AcademySaint Bede Academy is a private, four-year, Catholic college-preparatory high school located in Peru, Illinois. The campus buildings and monastery are situated on of wooded land. The monastery is home to 32 Benedictine monks who have taken a vow of stability, meaning that they remain at Saint Bede...
, PeruPeru, IllinoisPeru is a city in LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. The population was 10,295 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area... - St. Thomas More High SchoolSt. Thomas More High School (Champaign, Illinois)The High School of Saint Thomas More is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Champaign, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria. STM's nickname is the Sabers. The High School of Saint Thomas More is the seventh and newest high school of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria...
, ChampaignChampaign, IllinoisChampaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of... - Schlarman High SchoolSchlarman High SchoolSchlarman High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school located at the corner of Winter and Vermilion St. in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. The school was established in 1945 and named after Joseph Schlarman, bishop of the archdiocese at the time.Schlarman's teams are stylized as the...
, DanvilleDanville, IllinoisDanville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...
Abuse scandal
There have been numerous instances of sexual abuseSexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
by clergy in the Peoria diocese.