The primary purpose of this office through its policies and procedures are the safety of children, the well being of the community, and the integrity of the Church.

Archdiocese of Chicago
Office of Professional Responsibility
Olympia Centre
Suite 900
161 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60690-1979
Phone: 312-751-5205
Fax: 312-751-5279 (fax)
MAPQUEST | PARKING Information

1-800-994-6200 (Hotline to report abuse in Cook and Lake counties)

In order to respond to the needs of individuals who have been abused by priests or deacons of the Archdiocese of Chicago the following telephone numbers are provided for your use.

Archdiocese of Chicago
www.archchicago.org

Office of Professional Responsibility for reporting priest/deacon abuse of minors

Leah McCluskey, MSW, LSW, Administrator
312-751-5205
1 -800-994-6200 (Cook & Lake County)
lmccluskey@archchicago.org

Patricia Zacharias, LCPC, CADC, CEAP, Assistant Administrator
312-867-8793
pzacharias@archchicago.org

Office of Assistance Ministry for support and assistance to victims/survivors
Ralph Bonaccorsi, Director
312-751-8267
rbonaccorsi@archchicago.org

Mayra Flores, Assistant to the Director
312-751-8267
mflores@archchicago.org

Office of Vicars for Priests for reporting priest/deacon abuse of adults

Rev. Vince Costello, Vicar
312-642-1837
vcostello@archchicago.org

Rev. Edward D. Grace, Vicar
312-642-1837
egrace@archchicago.org

Sr. Miriam Pat Cummings, Associate Director
312-642-1837
mcummings@archchicago.org

Office for the Protection of Children & Youth ( Safe Environment Program)

Jan Slattery, Director
312-751-5319
jslattery@archchicago.org
safekids@archchicago.org

Office of Communications & Public Relations Office of Legal Services

Colleen Dolan, Director
312-751-8227
cdolan@archchicago.org

John O'Malley, Director
312-751-5379
jomalley@archchicago.org

Civil Authorities

Mission Statement
To provide policies, procedures, and guidelines in handling reports of misconduct and abuse relating to priests and deacons, with the overall goals of the safety of children, the well being of the community, and the integrity of the Church.

History of the Professional Responsibility Review Board
On June 15, 1992, the Cardinal's Commission on Clerical Misconduct presented its report recommending the establishment of comprehensive policies and procedures to address allegations and issues related to sexual abuse by clerics with minors. Cardinal Bernardin accepted the Commissions' recommendations and established the Professional Responsibility Review Board.

Review Board
The members of the Independent (Professional Responsibility) Review Board are appointed by the Cardinal. Of the nine members, two are priests, one is a deacon, and six are lay people not employed by the Archdiocese. The Board's primary focus is to review matters as well as to make recommendations to the Cardinal regarding the safety of children and the fitness for ministry of those accused.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is an allegation?
An allegation is an accusation of inappropriate behavior or sexual misconduct.

How do I formalize an allegation?
You may formalize your allegation through a meeting (preferably face-to-face) with the Professional Responsibility Administrator or the Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator.

Who is present when I formalize my allegation?
The individuals present when you formalize your allegation are the Professional Responsibility Administrator or the Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator and a representative from the Office of Assistance Ministry.

May I be accompanied by someone when I formalize my allegation?
You may be accompanied by anyone you choose to offer support and comfort (i.e. spouse, family member, friend, therapist, and/or attorney).

Do I need to bring any documentation with me when I formalize my allegation?
You may bring anything with you that you feel is important to share at the time of formalizing your allegation (i.e. pictures, letters, and/or yearbooks).

Why is it important to formalize/report an allegation?
Individuals have different reasons for formalizing his/her allegation. For some, formalizing their allegation is a significant part of the healing process. Others look to the process for closure on such events in their lives. Individuals also formalize allegations in hopes to collaborate other allegations, as well as to protect innocent children.

How confidential is this information ?
The information provided is kept strictly confidential and is only circulated to appropriate offices within the Archdiocese of Chicago. The offices that are notified of every allegation include: Office of Professional Responsibility, Office of Assistance Ministry, Office of Vicar for Priests, Office of Legal Services, and the appropriate public authorities. The individuals notified of an allegation are the Archbishop's Delegate to the Review Board and the Archbishop.

How do I schedule an initial meeting?
You may contact the Professional Responsibility Administrator or the Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator direct via phone, mail, fax, or e-mail to schedule an initial meeting.

Can I report an allegation no matter how long ago it occurred?
The Archdiocese encourages individuals to come forward with his/her allegation(s) of sexual misconduct no matter how much time has elapsed since the incident(s) of abuse.

How long will the initial meeting last?
The length of the meeting is in the control of the individual reporting the allegation.

PROCESS

THE PROCESS VARIES UPON STATUS OF ACCUSED

If the accused is alive ...
The Professional Responsibility Administrator (PRA) generally meets with the person coming forward with information of abuse and the priest who is being accused. PRA will then present this information and whatever other information is available to the Review Board for its recommendation to the Archbishop.

If the accused is deceased ...
The Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator’s report based upon the meeting with the victim is circulated to the appropriate internal offices within the Archdiocese of Chicago and placed in the accused’s file. The Office of Assistance Ministry continues to be available to victim.

If the accused is a member of a Religious Order ...
Prior to scheduling an initial meeting with the victim, the Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator (PRAA) will contact the respective Congregation Leader to determine the congregation’s process for formalizing allegations of sexual misconduct. PRAA will then work with the victim and the Congregation Leader to proceed with the identified process.

If the accused is a lay person ...
Upon receipt of a final report from the victim, the Professional Responsibility Assistant Administratorwill work with the appropriate offices within the Archdiocese to determine the status (i.e. alive or deceased; employment of the accused and what, if any, disciplinary actions are to take place as a result of the allegation).

STATEMENTS ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
As stated in §1100 Sexual Abuse of Minors: Policies for Education, Prevention, Assistance to Victims and Procedures for Determination of Fitness for Ministry , "The bishops of the United States have promised to reach out to those who have been sexually abused as minors by anyone serving the Church...whether the sexual abuse was recent or occurred many years ago."

In a message sent from Vatican City on April 23, 2003, Pope John Paul II stated that the abuse of minors by priests "...is rightly considered a crime by society...an appalling sin in the eyes of God...To the victims and their families, wherever they may be, I express my profound sense of solidarity and concern ."

Who is initially involved in the process ?

•  Office of Professional Responsibility

•  Professional Responsibility Administrator

•  Professional Responsibility Assistant Administrator

•  Office of Assistance Ministry

•  Office of Vicar for Priests

•  Review Board

Office of Professional Responsibility
The Office of Professional Responsibility receives and is responsible to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse by priests or deacons within the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Professional Responsibility Administrator
The Administrator is a lay Catholic professional who has the qualifications and experience in investigating and analyzing allegations of the sexual abuse of children.

The Administrator presents those matters of the sexual abuse of minors to the Independent Review Board where the accused priest or deacon is alive.

The Assistant Administrator primarily presents matters involving Religious Congregations or accused lay persons to the appropriate Archdiocesan Offices.

Office of Assistance Ministry
The Office of Assistance Ministry provides assistance and outreach to those individuals and their families who have been affected by the alleged sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon. This outreach includes but is not limited to provisions for counseling, spiritual direction, and other services that may assist in the healing of the abuse victim and his/her family.

Office of Vicar for Priests
The Vicar for Priests provides assistance to the priest or deacon of the Archdiocese of Chicago who has been accused of sexual misconduct.

REVIEW BOARD
The Review Board is an independent, confidential consultative body to the Archbishop. The Board consists of nine members which include, two priests and one deacon of the Archdiocese and five lay Catholics who are not employed by the Archdiocese. The lay members include a parish council member, a parent of a victim/survivor of child sexual abuse by a cleric, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, and an attorney.

OFFICE STAFF

Office of Professional Responsibility

Leah McCluskey, MSW, LSW
Administrator
Phone: 312-751-5205
Fax: 312-7515279
E-mail: lmccluskey@archchicago.org

Patricia J. Zacharias, LCPC, CADC, CEAP
Assistant Administrator
Phone: 312-867-8793
E-mail: pzacharias@archchicago.org

Laura A. Neri-Palomino
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 312-751-5206
Fax: 312-751-5279
E-mail: lneri@archchicago.org

Office of Assistance Ministry

Ralph Bonaccorsi
Director
Phone: 312-751-8267
Fax: 312-751-8307
E-mail: rbonaccorsi@archchicago.org

Michael J. Bland, Psy.D., D.Min., L.C.P.C.
Clinical and Pastoral Coordinator
Phone: 773-404-8161 direct or 312-751-8267
Fax: 312-751-8307
E-mail: mbland@archchicago.org

Mayra Flores
Assistant to the Director
Phone: 312-751-8267
Fax: 312-751-83-07
E-mail: mflores@archchicago.org

Office of Vicar for Priests

Rev. Vincent F. Costello
Vicar
Phone: 312-642-1837
Fax: 312-642-4933
E-mail: vcostello@archchicago.org

Rev. Edward D. Grace
Vicar
Phone: 312-642-1837
Fax: 312-642-4933
E-mail: edward.grace@archchicago.org

Sr. Miriam Patrick Cummings, SNND
Associate Director
Phone: 312-642-1837
Fax: 312-642-4933
E-mail: mcummings@archchicago.org

To report allegations directly to civil authorities call:

•  The Department of Children & Family Services (D.C.F.S.)
1-800-252-2873

•  In Cook County, contact Shauna Boliker,
Chief of the Sex Crimes Division at 773-869-6492

• Office of Lake County States Attorney, contact
George Strickland, Assistant States Attorney,
Criminal Division at 847-377-3000

Mailing Address:

Archdiocese of Chicago
Office of Professional Responsibility
P.O. Box 1979
Chicago, IL 60690-1979
Phone: 312-751-5205
Fax: 312-751-5279
1-800-994-6200
(Confidential Hotline for Cook and Lake Counties)