CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times
April 11, 2006
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI Religion Reporter
The largest Catholic reform group in the nation on Monday called for Cardinal Francis George to resign as archbishop of Chicago if he is not willing to push for stricter monitoring of how U.S. dioceses obey new church laws governing the handling of clergy sex abuse allegations.
In a letter sent to George last week, Call to Action -- a liberal-leaning organization that claims 25,000 members nationally -- questioned his ability to govern in the wake of a scandal involving one of his priests, the Rev. Daniel McCormack, who has been charged with fondling three boys at his West Side parish between 2001 and 2005.
Call to Action's letter focused on an audit by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, where George is vice president, that found the Chicago archdiocese in "full compliance" with church laws about clergy sex abuse allegations. The audits are based on data provided by the dioceses themselves.