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The Archdiocese of Chicago has updated its list of clerics with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Every archdiocesan cleric (ordained priest or deacon) added to the list today was previously reported to law enforcement authorities, as were those already on the list. All of the extern priests and most of the religious order priests have been previously listed on the websites of their respective home diocese or religious orders. The vast majority of these cases are many decades old and the priests listed are deceased or long out of ministry. Three categories have been affected or added:

• Archdiocesan priests with allegations brought forward after their death – previously these allegations were not referred to the Independent Review Board (IRB) because the IRB’s mission, to advise on the fitness for ministry and risk to children of men so accused, is made moot in the case of deceased clerics. Under the new policy, the IRB reviewed the files of deceased priests with two or more allegations against them and made a determination whether there was sufficient basis to add their names to the list. Going forward, allegations against deceased priests who are not already on the list will be sent to the IRB.
• Extern priests – priests from other dioceses. Extern priests listed have served in an archdiocesan ministry and have substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor as adjudicated and substantiated by their home dioceses. The home diocese has responsibility for making such determinations and we are publishing the result of their process as a service to the faithful. Questions about these cases should be directed to the diocese making the determination. A link to the respective diocese’s weblist, if available is included in the listing.
• Religious order priests – priests who are members of the more than 100 religious orders that serve or reside in the archdiocese. Religious order priests listed have served in archdiocesan ministries and have allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against them that have been substantiated by the order’s process. The religious order has responsibility for making such determinations and we are publishing the result of their process as a service to the faithful. Questions about these cases should be directed to the religious order making the determination. A link to the respective order’s weblist, if available is included in the listing.

“The list expansion represents many months of work involving researching records and communicating with religious orders and dioceses,” said James Geoly, general counsel of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “Since the beginning of the Attorney General’s investigation, we have cooperated fully. The Attorney General has reviewed the archdiocese’s policies, including its web site disclosures, and has made many constructive recommendations about ways to improve transparency and address the needs of survivors. Our policies are always being reviewed and improved, and we appreciate the Attorney General’s contributions to that process. It is important to note that every archdiocesan cleric added to the list today was previously reported to law enforcement authorities. In addition, the vast majority of these cases are many decades old and the priests listed are deceased or long out of ministry.”

The Archdiocese of Chicago began publishing a list of archdiocesan priests with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 2006. It was one of the first dioceses to do so and has updated the list as needed over the past 16 years.

Click here to view the updated list.