Former Head of Maryville Academy Accused of Sexual Abuse

The Archdiocese of Chicago said Friday that the Rev. John Smyth, the renowned former head of the Maryville Academy home for troubled youths, has been accused of sexual abuse of minors and has been removed from the ministry while the allegations are investigated. Attorney Jeanine Stevens said she represents two young men who claim Smyth … Read more

Illinois: Attorneys Plan to Release Names of Hundreds of Accused Clergy

In the weeks since Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released a scathing report faulting the Illinois dioceses for failing to investigate hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, a daunting question has lingered on the minds of parishioners: Which priests were accused? Unlike a sweeping grand jury report in Pennsylvania that identified more … Read more

Illinois Priest Accused of Abuse Goes AWOL

he former president of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, who is under criminal investigation for allegations he sexually abused a male student in the mid-1990s, has gone AWOL from the Augustinian order to which he belongs, an official with the religious order said. Sister Mary Ann Hamer, assistant treasurer for the Province of Our … Read more

Cupich and Company Accused of Withholding Names of at Least 500 Accused Priests

The Catholic Church in Illinois withheld the names of at least 500 priests accused of sexual abuse of minors, the state’s attorney general said Wednesday in a scathing report that accused the church of failing victims by neglecting to investigate their allegations. The preliminary report by Attorney General Lisa Madigan concludes that the Catholic dioceses … Read more

Illinois Attorney General: There are More Abusive Priests than Dioceses Disclosed

Three months into a state investigation of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Thursday said that the number of violators “is more extensive than the Church previously has disclosed to the public.” Attorney General Madigan’s “initial review” has found priests with “credible allegations of sexual abuse against minors” … Read more

Videos Allegedly Show Illinois Priests Engaged in Homosexual Acts

Home videos discovered in the basement of a Catholic church in south central Illinois show up to a dozen local priests dressed in drag and engaging in homosexual acts, according to sources claiming to have viewed the videos. The Diocese of Springfield has denied allegations that it confiscated the videos, but says that it is … Read more

Illinois Launches Investigation into Catholic Dioceses After Pennsylvania Report

The investigation will include the Archdiocese of Chicago, which is headed by Cardinal Blase Cupich The Attorney General of Illinois is to set up a sex abuse enquiry in the six dioceses in the state. “The Catholic Church has a moral obligation to provide its parishioners and the public a complete and accurate accounting of … Read more