5 Men Allege Sex Abuse by Members of Order from Local Catholic High Schools

CBS Chicago
July 31, 2012

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/5-men-allege-sex-abuse-by-members-of-order-from-local-catholic-high-schools/

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Five more men have filed claims in U.S. Bankruptcy Court alleging they were sexually abused as boys while attending Chicago area Roman Catholic schools operated by the Irish Christian Brothers.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Bob Conway reports, at least 27 Chicago area men have now filed lawsuits alleging abuse by members of the order at three all-boys high schools – Brother Rice High School, 10001 S. Pulaski Rd.; Leo High School, 7901 S. Sangamon St.; and St. Laurence High School, 5556 W. 77th St. in Burbank.

Three brothers, who at one time worked in Chicago have been named as sexual predators in earlier suits.

Three brothers who at one time worked in Chicago have been identified as sexual predators in lawsuits filed in other states, primarily Washington, where the Christian Brothers also ran schools and an orphanage — Brother Edward Courtney, Brother Robert Brouillette and Brother D.P. Ryan.

Brother Courtney taught at all the three Chicago area high schools in the 1960s and ’70s.

The lawsuits claim Courtney was moved from one school to another due to molestation complaints and was finally transferred to the West Coast.

The order filed for bankruptcy last year, and Wednesday is the deadline for alleged victims of abuse to file claims in the case.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs say the bankruptcy was an attempt by the order to shield assets and block the filing of new lawsuits.

The Chicago Sun-Times contributed to this report, via the Sun-Times Media Wire.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)