Priest Abuse Suit Expanded to Include Archdiocese, by Charles Thomas, ABC 7 [Chicago IL], May 11, 2006

Priest Abuse Suit Expanded to Include Archdiocese

By Charles Thomas
ABC 7 [Chicago IL]
May 11, 2006

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4164261

May 11, 2006 - The mothers of two of Father Daniel McCormack's alleged victims say they are expanding their lawsuit to include the Chicago archdiocese after learning McCormack was accused of abusing children after the church started monitoring his activities.

The motion for punitive damages alleges that since 1988 the Chicago archdiocese had been getting complaints about the Chicago Roman Catholic priest and that nothing was ever done. The mothers of two victims spoke publicly for the first time this afternoon in their lawyers' offices downtown.

The mothers spoke with their backs to the cameras to protect the identities of their sons. The women allege the boys were sexually abused at St. Agatha's church and school on the West Side by the Reverend Dan McCormack, who faces criminal charges in both cases.

The mothers spoke with their backs to the cameras to protect the identities of their sons.

One of the mothers remembered when her 10-year-old son told her how he had been fondled.

"He came into my bedroom and told me that something bad happened, and he started to cry," said "Jane Doe," mother of one of the abuse victims.

McCormack, who is free on $700,000, is charged with molesting as many five boys. The parent called "Mother Doe 100" says, after she saw the priest on television under arrest, she asked her 8-year-old son if he ever had any contact with McCormack.

"I asked him what did he do? He said, father Dan put his hands down in his pants," said "Mother Doe 100," parent of abuse victim.

Lawyers for both women filed motions Thursday seeking punitive damages, alleging the archdiocese ignored documented sexual abuse allegations against McCormack over the last 18 years: Between 1988 and 1991, incidents involving two adults and one minor at Niles College and St. Mary's Seminary, a 1999 charge filed at Holy Family School, then the St. Agatha complaints made in 2003 and 2005. The archdiocese did not remove McCormack from ministry until January of 2006.

"The problem is that at the top and begins with the cardinal and the officials who serve him," said Jeff Anderson, attorney.

At the archdiocese, spokesman Jim Dwyer said of the latest court filings: "We don't see any reason for punitive damages. We encourage them to come forward to negotiate a claim."

But the mothers who spoke Thursday insisted the goal of their lawsuit is not money, but to make changes at the archdiocese. They believe by punishing the Catholic church financially, they can make it safer for children.