Springfield, Ill., Aug 27, 2018 / 10:55 am
Several Illinois bishops have indicated their desire to discuss with the state attorney general their dioceses' sexual abuse policies, noting the steps they have taken against clergy misconduct.
Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan said Aug. 23 that the Church "has a moral obligation to provide its parishioners and the public a complete and accurate accounting of all sexually inappropriate behavior involving priests in Illinois."
She indicated that the Pennsylvania grand jury report on clerical sex abuse of minors identified "at least seven priests with connections to Illinois," and that the Archdiocese of Chicago had already agreed to meet with her.
"I plan to reach out to the other dioceses in Illinois to have the same conversation and expect the bishops will agree and cooperate fully. If not, I will work with states' attorneys and law enforcement throughout Illinois to investigate," Madigan wrote.