Illinois Catholic dioceses today issued statements in response to state Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s preliminary report of her investigation into clergy sexual abuse against minors.
The report and accompanying press release may be read here. The report finds that the six Catholic dioceses in Illinois have received allegations against approximately 690 clergy members, while 185 clergy have been publicized as having credible allegations of abuse. The report also states that as a result of the investigation, the Illinois dioceses “have acknowledged that they are aware of an additional forty-five previously undisclosed clergy who they deemed to be ‘credibly’ accused of sexually abusing minors.” Those 45 clergy are included in the total of 185 who have been publicly identified.
Madigan launched the investigation in August following a report issued by a Pennsylvania grand jury outlining sexual abuse allegations against more than 300 priests in that state over 70 years and affecting more than 1,000 victims.
Madigan’s investigation is ongoing and is not concluded with the release of today’s preliminary report. Attorney General-elect Kwame Raoul told media outlets that he would continue the investigation when he takes office in January.
The statements issued by the dioceses may be found below:
Archdiocese of Chicago statement is here.
Diocese of Joliet statement is here.
Diocese of Peoria statement is here.
Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois statement is here.
Diocese of Belleville statement is here.
Diocese of Rockford statement is here.