CHICAGO (IL)
Bustle
LAUREN BARBATO @LAUREN_BARBATO
In an effort to maintain some transparency, the Chicago Archdiocese released files on priest sex abuse on Thursday — the second batch of documents detailing clergy abuse released by the archdiocese this year. The trove of documents contains information on 36 priests who allegedly committed at least one sexual act against a minor. According to the Chicago Archdiocese, the allegations stem as far back as the 1950s, with 98 percent of the crimes occurring before 1992. The archdiocese is calling these “historical claims,” but acknowledges that, yes, allegations of clergy sex abuse are still emerging in Chicago.
The thousands of documents, organized by each clergy, range from court documents and investigation reports to personal letters and work logs. Allegations include forcing a minor to undress in front of a cleric (in the case of former priest Joseph Thomas); making “inappropriate” gestures and advances (former priest Russell Romano); and forcing a male minor to “act out pornographic acts” with a female minor (former priest William Cloutier).
In one particularly disturbing file, a note to Chicago Bishop Raymond Goedert staunchly defended accused priest Thomas Swade, who was defrocked in 1992 after six victims came forward, allegedly they were molested by the priest as minors. Swade was almost reinstated by the archdiocese in the late ’90s.
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