The Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review was established to receive all information regarding the alleged sexual abuse of minors by clergy, lay employees, and volunteers in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In those cases where the allegation is against a cleric who is alive, regardless of status, the matter is brought before the independent Review Board for its recommendations and determinations to the Cardinal.
In June 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 Fitness Review Board, which is now known as the independent Review Board.
The Review Board is an independent, confidential consultative body to the Archbishop. The members of the independent Review Board are appointed by the Cardinal. 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. 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.
Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors
Services ProvidedThe primary focus of this office is to receive and review allegations of the sexual abuse of children by clerics, employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Commonly Asked Questions What is an allegation?
An allegation is an accusation of sexually inappropriate behavior or misconduct.
How do I formalize an allegation?
You may formalize your allegation through a meeting (preferably face-to-face) with the Director or the Assistant Director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review.
Who is present when I formalize my allegation?
The individuals present when you formalize your allegation are the Director or the Assistant Director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review and a representative from the Office of Assistance Ministry.
May someone accompany me 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 believe 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 do I schedule an initial meeting?
You may contact the Director or the Assistant Director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review directly 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.
The process of formalizing an allegation varies upon the accused
If the accused is a priest or deacon who is alive…
A member of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review would like to schedule a time to meet with the person coming forward with an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor. If the accused is alive, the member of the office will attempt to schedule a separate meeting to present the allegation for his response. This information and all other information obtained relevant to the allegation will be presented to the Review Board for its determination and recommendations to the Archbishop.
If the accused is deceased, the matter will not be presented to the Review Board, but will be placed in the accused’s file in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
If the accused is a member of a Religious Congregation…
Prior to scheduling an initial meeting with the individual coming forward, the Assistant Director will contact the respective Congregation Leader to determine the congregation’s process for formalizing allegations of sexual misconduct. The Assistant Director will then work with the individual and the Congregation Leader to proceed with the identified process.
Upon receipt of a final report from the individual coming forward, a member of the office will work with offices within the Archdiocese to take steps to appropriately address the matter. Contact Information
Leah R. McCluskey, MSW, LSW
Director
Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review
PO Box 1979
Chicago, IL 60690-1979
312-534-5205 or 1-800-994-6200
312-751-5279, fax
lmccluskey@archchicago.org