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	Archdiocese to Search Files for Early Evidence of Abuse By Manya A. Brachear mbrachear@tribune.com Chicago Tribune March 31, 2006 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0603310202 mar31,1,5740641.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago will hire investigators to comb seminary files for evidence of sexual misconduct by priests before they were ordained, Chancellor Jimmy Lago said in an interview Thursday. "I don't expect to find misconduct in those files," Lago said. "If there is misconduct in them, it would be a priest that would not be in ministry. The issue is to make sure that's the case." The need to examine personnel and seminary files in all dioceses was echoed by U.S. Catholic bishops' national lay watchdog panel, which on Thursday released results of its third annual audit of dioceses' policies to protect children. Patricia Ewers, chairwoman of the National Review Board, urged all bishops to compile personnel and seminary records for all living priests "and have them available to the appropriate authorities." She also asked that bishops be made aware of abuse allegations as soon as they surface. "Where they exist, these dysfunctional climates of secrecy or protecting the bishop from `bad news' must be addressed and eliminated," said Ewers, who also suggested bishops set up more rigorous monitoring programs for accused priests. In Chicago, an independent audit recently commissioned by Cardinal Francis George revealed more than 30 missteps that put children at risk in the case of Rev. Daniel McCormack. McCormack served in several pulpits despite allegations of sexual misconduct in the seminary and afterward. He was removed from ministry in January after he was charged with sexually abusing two boys. He has since been charged with abusing a third. Lago said the ad hoc committee appointed by George to carry out the auditors' recommendations would discuss the scope of the seminary file review and the future of its monitoring program when the panel meets in three weeks. A dozen accused priests currently live in a monitored setting on the seminary campus in Mundelein. Three others live or work at Holy Family Villa in Lemont, where a park and playground is slated to be built on adjacent property later this year.
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