Father Arthur Bendixen
Diocese of Orlando
Ordained: 1976
Suspended: 1994
Assignment History:
- 1984-1991: Chancellor of Diocese of Orlando
- 1991-1993: Boynton Beach Seminary
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Arthur Bendixen:
According to a civil lawsuit filed, Fr. Arthur Bendixen was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old altar boy at St. Mary Magdalen in 1982. Bendixen served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Orlando prior to his suspension in 1994.
After his suspension, Fr. Bendixen was reportedly ordered to seek treatment, but after refusing, was barred from ministry. Since the first accusation in 1993, more than seven others accused him of sexual abuse in the Orlando Diocese during the years of 1976-1979, when they were between the ages of 10-13. The diocese settled with them all. In 2002, Fr. Bendixen was found to be working at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. After Fr. Bendixen’s work at DePaul University was exposed, the University claimed it did not know about the allegations against him prior to hiring him. They further stated that Fr. Bendixen would not teach in the upcoming quarter but did not rule out the possibility of him teaching in the future.
In July 1993, Bendixen resigned from St. Vincent de Paul Seminary citing health reasons. He returned to the Diocese of Orlando and then went on a sabatical. In 1995, it was reported that three priests who worked for Fr. Bendixen called for Fr. Bendixen’s resignation in 1993 and left their positions after two church investigations cleared him.
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