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  Archdiocese Gives Prosecutors Data on Accused Priest

By Jeff Coen jcoen@tribune.com
Chicago Tribune [Chicago IL]
March 16, 2006

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0603160257
mar16,1,3901048.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed

The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago complied this week with a request by Cook County prosecutors for records related to a priest charged with sexual abuse of minors, a lawyer for the archdiocese said.

The state's attorney's office had subpoenaed any material related to knowledge the archdiocese may have had about Rev. Daniel McCormack's alleged conduct, including any complaints against him, sources close to the investigation said.

Church attorney James Geoly said the archdiocese had complied fully with the prosecutors' request. Records turned over included personnel records, incident reports and documents "dating back to McCormack's seminary days," he said.

McCormack has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He is accused of molesting three boys at St. Agatha Church on the West Side.

Geoly said that on Monday he delivered approximately 900 pages of records to the state's attorney's office and another file containing about 25 pages to Criminal Court Judge Thomas Sumner for his inspection in chambers.

The second file contained records that could be considered privileged under state law. The judge is set to rule in April on whether that file should remain privileged or be shared with prosecutors.

Also this week, the third of the priest's alleged victims filed suit, naming the archdiocese and Cardinal Francis George as defendants. The suit, filed Tuesday, alleges that George and church officials neglected to follow the sex abuse policy drafted by U.S. bishops in 2002 and failed to respond appropriately when a school principal alerted church officials to the possibility of misconduct by McCormack in 2000.

The suit also alleges that the church destroyed or lost documents detailing the allegations of 2000 and publicly blamed the victim's mother for failing to cooperate with the investigation.

 
 

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