If you were sexually abused as a child by a priest, deacon or any other member of the Catholic Church, you are not alone. We are here to help you. Please fill out our confidential online contact form or call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 and an Illinois Sexual Abuse Lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your possible case. Help is available nationwide. There is no cost to investigate and there are no legal fees unless you receive financial compensation. Making the call is sometimes the hardest step, but it is often a necessary step on the road to healing. Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Illinois
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Please call Toll Free 1-866-777-2557 or fill out our confidential contact form and a lawyer will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your case. Illinois Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Illinois Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer
AG Lisa Madigan to examine Illinois ties of priests named in Pennsylvania sex abuse report
After a 1500-page grand jury report was released in early 2010 detailing sexual abuse committed by over 300 PA Catholic priests, dioceses around the country were rocked by the news. The report made clear the scope of the abuse problem in 7 of the 9 dioceses in the state, as well as the troubling way many officials acted to cover up abuse allegations. Moreover, many of the clergy members named in the report had served in various other states. And with other reports coming from around the country, it’s clear this is far from just a Pennsylvania problem.
Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Illinois
One state affected is Illinois, since 7 of the priests in the Pennsylvania report have worked in the Prairie State as well. One, James Somma, was accused by a boy who had been abused by him repeatedly, often spending the night at his house. An internal church evaluation report had stated in 1988 that children should not be alone around this man and that there were concerns about four potential victims, but he was still allowed to continue in his role and be around children until 2003.
Illinois Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer
In the 1950s, another priest, Raymond Lukac, allegedly became romantically and sexually involved with teenage girls. Despite this, he served in Gary, Indiana on a “trial basis” in the early 1960s and then lived with another clergy member in St. Stanislaus in 1963 after he was ordered to leave.
Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Illinois
In August 2018, the Illinois attorney general announced she wanted to meet with church officials to ensure law enforcement had all the facts about the priests named in the report.
Even before the grand jury report appeals, approaches to clergy abuse were changing in the state. In a statement, the Chicago Archdiocese stated that since 2006, it has posted on its website the names of clergy with substantiated abuse claims against them. The archdiocese has also put in place a zero-tolerance policy (a priest who commits child abuse once is barred from the priesthood), having employees and volunteers undergo background checks, referring accusations of abuse to authorities, and conducting yearly audits to ensure rules are being followed. These measures go beyond those adopted in 2002 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Illinois Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer
These announcements reflect a new seriousness with which accusations of sexual abuse are regarded by both church hierarchy and government agencies. Still, concerns linger. Illinois is one of many states where some parishioners are considering withholding donations to the church. In a report by the Tribune, many reported that they did not feel certain of where their money was going when they donated to their parish. They feel a boycott is justified until they feel assured the church has truly done enough worldwide to protect children and make restitution to victims.
Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Illinois
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