ORLAND PARK (IL)
The Frankfort Station
March 25, 2019
By Bill Jones
A report released by a Minnesota-based attorney who advocates for sexual abuse victims names 395 alleged abusers and others with accusations of misconduct who have served, past and present, in the Catholic Church in Illinois.
The 185-page report includes all six Illinois diocese, and publishes background information, photographs and assignment histories of Catholic clergy and laypersons accused of sexual misconduct. Among those named in the report were priests who over the years have had assignments in 22nd Century Media’s southwest suburban coverage area.
Some of the allegations previously have been reported by 22nd Century Media and other publications in some cases predating this company. Some of the allegations also have been publicly reported by various dioceses or archdioceses. In the cases with ties to the area included in the text following, assignments to towns 22nd Century Media coverage are noted, but many of the priests were assigned to other parishes, as well. More information is available in the full report at andersonadvocates.com.
In the wake of the report, both the Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet issued statements. The Archdiocese said it reports all allegations it receives to civil authorities and does not “police itself.”
“If the Archdiocese of Chicago receives an allegation that a religious priest has engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor, the archdiocese reports it to the civil authorities, publicly withdraws the priest’s faculties to work in the archdiocese, and refers the matter to his religious superior,” according to the statement.
The Archdiocese statement also took issue with how the report “conflates people who have been accused, but may be innocent, with those who have substantiated allegations against them,” and offers several examples, some of which have been noted in the text that follows. It also notes the differences that pertain to religious order priests.
The Diocese of Joliet similarly noted it reports “all allegations of child sexual abuse to law enforcement” and in cases that involve victims who are still minors DCFS. It said all allegations in the report previously were reported by the Diocese to authorities and has posted a list on its website since 2006.
“All credibly accused priests have been removed from ministry,” according to the Diocese statement.
The statement further noted the Anderson Report includes allegations that were “unsubstantiated or deemed not credible by the Diocese of Joliet Review Board, or the claim did not involve child abuse.” It also notes some priests were of visiting status, and in such cases or those involving allegations against members of a religious order the diocese has revoked their authority to minister in the Diocese of Joliet.
“The Diocese of Joliet continues to express its genuine regret and profound sympathy to any victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Joliet and elsewhere,” the statement added. “We are committed to promoting the healing and reconciliation of survivors, and the protection of our children today.”
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