Father Alfred Willis
Diocese of Burlington
Ordained: 1976
Removed: 1980
Laicized: 1985
Assignment History
- 1976: St. Anthony’s (Burlington, VT)
- 1976-1979: St. Augustine (Montpelier, VT)
- 1979-1980: St. Ann’s (Milton, VT)
Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Father Alfred Willis:
Father Alfred Willis served in the Diocese of Burlington in Vermont for approximately 5 years. According to media reports, in early 1978, St. Anthony parishioners reported to Bishop John Marshall that Father Willis was sexually abusing boys while at St. Anthony’s in Burlington and continued to see some of the boys while serving at St. Augustine’s in Montpelier.
Bishop Marshall ordered Father Willis to get counseling and visit with the parents of the children he molested. In 1979, he assigned Father Willis to St. Ann’s in Milton but did not disclose about Father Willis’ past conduct and allegations of abuse.
In 1980, several St. Ann’s parishioners alleged that Father Willis had molested their sons. They reported that they had learned that he also molested boys while at St. Anthony’s in Burlington. Father Willis was placed on leave and sent to Paracletes in New Mexico for treatment. The parents also told the Chittenden County State’s Attorney, who launched an investigation but never prosecuted the priest.
Father Willis was laicized in August 1985.
From 2003 through 2019, at least seven civil lawsuits were filed, claiming child sexual abuse by Father Willis.
As part of one agreement in 2004, the diocese acknowledged it knew Father Willis had faced sexual misconduct charges as early as seminary. Despite this, it repeatedly transferred him without telling parishioners of his problematic history, even when it asked the Vatican to defrock him after determining he was guilty of child abuse. One suit settled for $170,000
In August 2019, his name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Burlington’s list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. He is believed to be living in Delaware.
The attorneys at Horowitz Law have a long history of representing survivors of child sex abuse. If you or someone you know was abused by a priest in the Diocese of Burlington, please contact Horowitz Law today for a free consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and fight for the justice you deserve. The Burlington Diocese has filed for federal bankruptcy protection, and strict deadlines will soon be set by the bankruptcy court. Please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected] for a free consultation to discuss your options today.