Fr. James M. Ray

Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Archdiocese of Chicago IL

Multiple allegations. Accused in 1990 of abusing a boy while assigned to St. Peter Damian parish 1984-1989. Removed from parish work in 1991. Allowed to live 2000-2002 at an Augustinian Friary in Hyde Park, near a day care center and a Catholic grade school. Removed from his job in Office of Health and Hospital Affairs in 6/2002. Permanently removed from active ministry in 9/2005. Included on the Chicago Archdiocese’s list in 2006. Resigned in 3/2009. Laicized in 1/2012. Claim in 1/2014 of abuse of a boy in Wauconda 1989-1991. Allegations of abuse of three others received in 2009 and 2013. Per documents released in 11/2014, Ray was accused of sexually attacking two boys, starting when they were ages 10 and 11, while assigned to St. Anastasia in Waukegan 1975-1982. In 2008 he was living with eight other accused priests at Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein. Laicized in 2012. A 2020 lawsuit alleged abuse and sexual torture 1983-1987 of a boy while assigned to St. Peter Damian. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General’s Report, which notes at least 13 “reported survivors.”


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