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	Cardinal Apologizes to Parishioners By Karen Hawkins Chicago Sun-Times [Chicago IL] January 31, 2006 http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cardinal30.html 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. "How long will you continue to cover the secrets of the church?" one parent, Tara Rice, said to George. "I really feel hoodwinked and bamboozled by the archdiocese . ... We need to know that our children will be safe." The archdiocese has acknowledged that one of the charges against McCormack stems from an allegation of sexual abuse that was first made in August. Police investigated that allegation, but charges were not filed immediately because prosecutors at the time determined there was insufficient evidence supporting the claim. Though McCormack was allowed to remain at St. Agatha, he was assigned a personal monitor and told to have no unsupervised contact with children. George told parishioners Monday that he should have pushed harder to find details about the allegations against McCormack and also to communicate the steps the church took to parents. "We waited too long. We should have moved more aggressively to get information," George said in response to questions from parishioners. "I'm disappointed with my own actions." One parent at Monday's gathering said she wasn't satisfied by George's responses. "I didn't get any of the answers I came out to get," Kinya Willaby said after the meeting ended. "I'm really disappointed. I feel the same way leaving as I felt when I came in." Also Monday, a lawyer known for representing church abuse victims said the family of a third boy went to prosecutors and Chicago police Monday to talk about McCormack. Attorney Jeff Anderson gave few details at a news conference outside the church but said the information involved "multiple incidents" within the past two years with a boy under 12. Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond confirmed Anderson and his client met with police Monday but said no reports were filed.
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