DIOCESE—A new name has been added to the Diocese of Rockford’s list of priests against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported.
The late Edwin Banach, a religious order priest from the Franciscan Friars, Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM, Conv.), St. Bonaventure Province, was added to the list on Aug. 1, 2025.
The name was added after the diocese was made aware that Father Banach, who previously provided ministry to St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Rockford, had been identified by the order as having a claim of sexual abuse made against him that they deemed to be credible. The abuse reportedly occurred sometime in the 1960s while the parish was administered by the Franciscan order.
Father Banach was parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish for a period of time starting in 1943. The Franciscans returned Father Banach to serve as pastor at St. Anthony Parish from 1963 until 1969. He died in 1984.
According to the Diocese of Rockford’s Norms for the Prohibition of Sexual Abuse of Minors, Father Banach’s name has now been added to the list available to the public on the diocesan website at www.rockforddiocese.org under the Safe Environment tab. A statement regarding the addition of Father Banach’s name to the list was read at all Masses at St. Anthony Parish during the weekend of Aug. 2-3.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the diocesan clergy, religious, church employee or volunteer, please first call your local police, and then call the diocesan hotline at 815-293-7540.
