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  Archdiocese Improves Tactics Vs. Sex Abuse

Associated Press, carried in Courier News [Chicago IL]
February 23, 2007

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/269693,3_1_EL23_A4CLERGY_S1.article

An eight-month review of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago showed some improvements in the handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but pointed to areas that were "far from perfect."

Cardinal Francis George appointed a nine-member committee made up of judges, child welfare advocates and law enforcement officials to review the archdiocese in the wake of the January 2006 arrest of former pastor Daniel McCormack.

McCormack was charged with abusing five boys between 2001 and 2005 at St. Agatha Catholic Church and Our Lady of the Westside School. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the advisory committee's report, released Wednesday, the archdiocese has conducted 59,000 criminal background checks, required additional training for employees, hired a consultant, and plans to instantly remove any priest accused of sexual abuse.

"We're not going to think about it, we're not going to consider it, we're not going to evaluate the quality of the allegation," said Chancellor Jimmy Lago. "We're going to take action immediately."

But Lago acknowledged more attention is needed on how the archdiocese monitors priests who have been removed.

 
 

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