Multiple lawsuits accuse the Archdiocese of Chicago of allowing two priests to remain in active ministry despite numerous child sexual abuse complaints. The lawsuits, filed by a Chicago law firm, claim archdiocesan officials knew about the priests' history of abuse. The alleged abuse occurred at Quigley Preparatory Seminary and St. Christina Catholic School, with complaints dating back to the 1960s. The law firm alleges the archdiocese relocated the priests instead of addressing the misconduct. The Illinois attorney general's office has described one of the priests as a notorious abuser.
20 days ago
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Archdiocese of Chicago, alleging that church officials knowingly kept two priests in active ministry despite repeated complaints of child sexual abuse.1 2 The suits, brought by the law firm Gould, Grieco, & Hensley, represent victims from Quigley Preparatory Seminary and St. Christina Catholic School, where the alleged abuses occurred in the 1980s.1 2
The plaintiffs claim they only recently learned of the archdiocese's prior knowledge through newly accessible internal documents.1 2 Attorney Mike Grieco stated that decades of secrecy and reassignment allowed predators to remain in positions of authority, endangering children.1 2
Father Daniel Holihan is accused of abusing a male student at the now-closed Quigley Preparatory Seminary during the 1980s.1 2 The Illinois Attorney General's office described him as one of the archdiocese's most notorious abusers, noting that officials knew of his actions years before his 2002 removal from ministry but failed to act.1 2
Father John Curran allegedly abused two students at St. Christina Catholic School around the same period.1 2 Warnings about both priests date back to the 1960s, yet they continued serving at multiple parishes.1 2 Holihan died in 2016 after being laicized in 2010, while Curran died in 2000 following his 1994 removal from ministry.1 2
Both priests appear on the archdiocese's list of clergy with substantiated abuse allegations and served at eight locations each.1 2
The lawsuits highlight a pattern where the archdiocese relocated problematic clergy instead of addressing misconduct directly.1 2 This approach, according to the firm, prioritized secrecy over transparency and accountability.1 2
Critics argue that such practices enabled serial offenders to access new victims over years.1 2 The attorney general's investigation reinforced this, criticizing the archdiocese for trusting Holihan's promises of reform without intervention.1 2
The Illinois Attorney General's 2023 clergy abuse report identified both Holihan and Curran as abusers, providing detailed narratives of their cases.1 2 It underscored systemic issues in the archdiocese's handling of complaints dating back decades.1 2
The archdiocese maintains a public list of priests with substantiated claims, but the lawsuits allege that earlier knowledge was concealed.1 2 This fits into ongoing national scrutiny of Catholic institutions' responses to abuse scandals.1 2
The Archdiocese of Chicago has not yet commented on the lawsuits.1 2 Both priests were eventually removed from ministry, but only after prolonged periods of alleged awareness by officials.1 2
The cases continue to draw attention amid recent archdiocesan actions, such as the removal of other priests over similar allegations.2 Victims' advocates emphasize the need for greater accountability to prevent future harm.1 2
Examine ecclesiastical accountability for known abusers in ministry
The Catholic Church has developed a robust framework for holding clerics and others in ministry accountable for abuses, particularly sexual abuse of minors, rooted in canon law, papal legislation, and a commitment to justice and victim protection. This accountability emphasizes zero tolerance, mandatory reporting to civil authorities, thorough canonical investigations, and severe penalties, while balancing the rights of the accused and the needs of victims. Drawing from key documents like the motu proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela (SST) and Vos estis lux mundi, the Church mandates cooperation between ecclesiastical and civil processes, ensuring that known abusers are removed from ministry and face both spiritual and legal consequences. This approach reflects a profound conversion of heart, aiming to restore trust and prevent future harm.
The Church's response to abuse in ministry has evolved significantly, building on longstanding canonical principles but intensifying after revelations of mishandling cases. Prior to 2001, cases of sexual misconduct by clerics, including abuse of minors, were addressed under general penal norms in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, such as Canon 1395 §2, which punished offenses against the sixth commandment with "just penalties, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state." However, these were often handled locally with a pastoral rather than punitive focus, sometimes leading to inadequate responses due to a "therapeutic model" that prioritized rehabilitation over accountability.
A pivotal shift occurred with Pope John Paul II's 2001 motu proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela (SST), which classified sexual abuse of a minor under 18 by a cleric as a delictum gravius (grave delict) reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). This extended the statute of limitations to 10 years from the victim's 18th birthday (later increased to 20 years in 2010) and required bishops to conduct preliminary investigations under Canons 1717 and 1722. The 2010 revision under Pope Benedict XVI incorporated administrative processes for efficiency, allowing for dismissal from the clerical state ex officio in severe cases, while ensuring due process. These norms applied universally to Latin and Eastern rites, diocesan and religious clergy, underscoring that abuse is not only a canonical crime but a civil one, necessitating cooperation with authorities.
This historical progression highlights a move from decentralized, sometimes lenient handling to centralized oversight by the CDF, recognizing the scandal's impact on the faithful and the need for transparency.
When an accusation of abuse by a cleric in ministry is received, the bishop or major superior bears primary responsibility to initiate a preliminary investigation to assess credibility, as outlined in SST Article 16 and Canon 1717. If the accusation appears true, precautionary measures must be imposed immediately—such as restricting public ministry or contact with minors—under Canon 1722, even before guilt is proven. The accused is presumed innocent and informed of the charges (unless serious reasons dictate otherwise), with opportunities for defense, and provided sustenance during the process.
Credible cases must be referred to the CDF, which directs further steps, including judicial or administrative processes. Permanent penalties, like dismissal from the clerical state (laicization), require a full penal trial and CDF approval, as bishops cannot impose them extrajudicially per Canon 1342. Measures for guilty clerics include:
The process respects privacy and reputations, with rehabilitation for the wrongly accused. For non-clerics (e.g., religious or lay in ecclesiastical roles), similar collaboration with civil law applies, though canonical penalties differ. This ensures accountability without substituting for civil prosecution, as "the prescriptions of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be followed."
Ecclesiastical accountability extends to those in authority who fail to act on known abusers. Pope Francis has repeatedly stressed that bishops, as successors of the apostles, must prioritize protection over avoiding scandal, with "absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors." The 2017 motu proprio As a Loving Mother—promulgated on the Pontifical Commission's recommendation—addresses negligent bishops, eparchs, and major superiors whose omissions cause grave harm, allowing for their removal if they cover up or fail to investigate.
The landmark 2019 Vos estis lux mundi (updated in 2023) establishes universal norms for reporting abuse, mandating that all clerics and religious report suspicions to ecclesiastical authorities, who must forward credible cases to the metropolitan bishop or Holy See. It covers not only abuse but also its cover-up, with procedures for investigating superiors. Bishops must establish accessible reporting systems and cooperate with civil authorities, ensuring "a continuous and profound conversion of hearts" through concrete actions. The 2023 revision improves application based on feedback from episcopal conferences, emphasizing prevention training and victim support.
In his 2018 Christmas address to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis affirmed the Church's resolve: "before these abominations the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes," rejecting past leniency due to "irresponsibility" or "spiritual myopia." Episcopal conferences must develop guidelines complementing universal law, subject to Holy See recognitio, and periodically review compliance.
Accountability is inseparable from healing: bishops must offer victims psychological, spiritual, and legal assistance, meeting them personally to listen and seek forgiveness. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, established in 2014, advises on best practices, promoting days of prayer and dialogue with survivors. Pope Francis's 2019 rescript strengthens Vatican norms, ensuring prosecuted abusers are removed from duties while offering rehabilitation, and rehabilitating the innocent.
Prevention involves rigorous formation: seminaries must emphasize chastity, celibacy, and abuse recognition, with information sharing on candidates transferring between dioceses. Bishops support priests through fraternity and ongoing education on their responsibilities. This holistic approach fosters a "community respectful and mindful of the rights... of minors," with mandatory training.
The Church's ecclesiastical accountability for known abusers in ministry is a dynamic commitment, evolving from historical norms to comprehensive, victim-focused reforms under Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. Through SST, Vos estis lux mundi, and related guidelines, it enforces zero tolerance, due process, and inter-authority cooperation, while addressing leadership failures. This safeguards the vulnerable, restores credibility, and aligns with Christ's call to protect "the little ones." Yet, as Pope Francis notes, more remains: a "path of purification" demands vigilance, learning from past errors to eliminate this scourge from the Church and society.