January 22, 2006

Priest charged in sexual abuse of 2 boys

CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times

January 22, 2006

BY CATHLEEN FALSANI AND LESLIE BALDACCI STAFF REPORTERS

Cook County prosecutors Saturday charged a 37-year-old Roman Catholic priest with sexually abusing two boys at a parish on Chicago's West Side as recently as last year.

The Rev. Daniel McCormack, pastor of St. Agatha parish and a teacher and basketball coach at Our Lady of the Westside School, was arrested Friday night at his brother's home in Orland Hills. He is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

McCormack's arrest marks the first time in more than a dozen years that prosecutors have brought criminal abuse charges against a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. McCormack is only the fourth priest from the archdiocese in 22 years to be prosecuted in Illinois for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

According to information presented in court by Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Kathleen Muldoon, McCormack allegedly abused one of the boys -- a member of the basketball team the priest coaches -- two to three times a month for nearly 3-1/2 years.

Posted by kshaw at January 22, 2006 08:40 AM