Several new lawsuits have been filed against the Archdiocese of Chicago for what attorneys call decades of child sexual abuse on the city’s South Side.
“Holy Angels was not a sanctuary for children. It was a sanctuary for predators, protected by the Chicago Archdiocese.”
Attorney Steven Hart calling it a decades long sex ring at the former Bronzeville parish, led by Fathers George Clements and John Calicott, that targeted young boys of color between the 1960s and 90s.
“It’s hard to ignore the race element in this case. This was a largely ignored community. We’re certain that the highest levels of the Catholic Archdiocese in Chicago was well aware of what was going on down there, and they turned a blind eye.”
Clergy sex abuse press conference
Andy Dahn WBBM
Seven lawsuits seeking damages from the Archdiocese have now been filed, but Attorney Sean O’Malley says they won’t be the last.
“We know that there are more victims from Holy Angels. We know this because we continue to get calls, regularly.”
The attorneys also believe the abuse of children as young as five was happening at other parishes...with no intervention from church leadership.
“The institution who allowed this to occur is very much alive.”
WBBM has reached out to the Archdiocese of Chicago for comment.
