January 31, 2006

Cardinal apologizes to parishioners

CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times

January 30, 2006

BY KAREN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

An apologetic Cardinal Francis George met Monday evening with parishioners of a West Side church that was home to a priest now charged with molesting two boys, and many parents took the opportunity to lash out at how the archdiocese handled the affair.

"I'm glad to be with you, but I'm sorry to be with you because this occurrence is one that shames me certainly," George told several dozen people gathered at St. Agatha Church for a nearly two-hour meeting.

The Rev. Daniel McCormack was charged Jan. 21 with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Prosecutors say he repeatedly molested two boys between 2001 and 2005, and they confirmed Monday they're looking into more allegations.

McCormack was suspended and removed from St. Agatha several days before he was charged, but parents at Monday's meeting repeatedly questioned George about why McCormack was not removed sooner.

Posted by kshaw at January 31, 2006 08:22 AM