CHICAGO (IL)
The Kansas City Star
BY MANYA A. BRACHEAR
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO - (KRT) - In the final resolution of cases that made headlines at the height of the Catholic church's sex abuse scandal, Cardinal Francis George has permanently removed 11 priests from public ministry because of sexual misconduct with children.
Fourteen Chicago cases had been forwarded to the Vatican for review since the American church's new rules on sex abuse allegations took effect in 2002.
Two others face canonical trials - a local proceeding in front of a panel of priests - because the Vatican determined that their cases required more deliberation. Neither is expected to return to ministry, the Cardinal has said. One priest who would have faced penalties imposed by the Cardinal has died.
The 11 priests had worked in parishes across Cook and Lake Counties in Illinois, and some had held high-ranking positions in the archdiocese. They had already been removed from ministry while their cases were pending. Now they will be expected to live out the remainder of their lives in prayer in a monitored and restricted setting.