CHICAGO โ On Tuesday, survivors of clergy sexual abuse intensified their demands for a comprehensive zero-tolerance approach from the new popeโs American hometown. They raised concerns about Pope Leo XIVโs historical handling of accused clergy members in locations such as Chicago and Australia.
In response, the Archdiocese of Chicago defended Leo XIV, emphasizing that he has โconsistently expressed his compassion for survivors of this crime and sin.โ
The cases involving clergy abuse span Robert Prevostโs previous positions, including his time leading a Catholic religious order, serving as bishop, and heading the Vaticanโs office for bishops, roles during which he became a cardinal.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, criticized the alleged abuse by priests in Chicago and others in countries like Peru, Colombia, Canada, and Australia. SNAP argued that the pope should have taken more significant action against the accused.
In addition to advocating for a global zero-tolerance policy for accused clergymen, SNAP is calling for the establishment of a worldwide truth commission, reparations for survivors, and church transparency measures.
โIt is our hope that Pope Leo makes the right decisions,โ stated Shaun Dougherty, president of SNAP, at a press conference in Chicago. โOur experience suggests that he will need external pressure.โ
Efforts to contact the Vaticanโs media office and its diplomatic representative to the U.S. did not yield immediate responses.
The Catholic Church has been under scrutiny for scandals involving clergy sexual abuse, which have not directly implicated the new pope in personal misconduct or intent to retain confirmed abusers in public roles.
Advocacy groups insist that the pope should have alerted authorities sooner, spoken out about accused priests, and worked diligently to revoke their titles. SNAP has accumulated evidence of institutional cover-ups, including internal communications referencing various cases in Chicago.
Peter Isely, a SNAP representative, commented, โThis investigation uncovers the hidden side of Prevost, showcasing his past decisions and management style we are now bringing to light.โ
Certain cases reach back to Prevostโs tenure in Chicago as the Midwest regional leader of the Order of St. Augustine beginning in 1999 before advancing to lead the Augustinians globally three years later.
One particular priest, facing numerous allegations of abuse, left the church in 1993 and subsequently began working as a tour guide at Chicagoโs Shedd Aquarium after receiving a recommendation from a top Augustinian official. The aquarium only learned about the allegations nearly a decade later.
In 2003, the aquarium stated, โHad we been aware of such allegations, we would not have employed this individual.โ
Advocates argue that Prevost should have intervened sooner during his leadership role in the Augustinians, given the priestโs employment directly involving children.
Survivors are demanding that the church implement a universal policy eliminating clergy from ministry after a single confirmed act of sexual abuse. This approach has been standard in the U.S. church since 2002โs peak of abuse revelations, although a church-wide policy hasnโt been adopted globally.
SNAP highlighted a case from Prevostโs leadership of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, covering 2014 to 2023, where three women accused priests of sexual abuse in 2022.
The diocese supplied the Vatican with information about the case, which the Vatican dismissed without a definitive ruling. However, the investigation was reopened after Prevost transitioned to a Vatican position.
Critics maintain that Prevost did not pursue the investigation adequately, though the Vatican and his successor concluded he acted appropriately within church law.
The Archdiocese of Chicago released a comprehensive five-point defense of the popeโs actions, asserting that Prevostโs handling of diverse cases conformed to church regulations.
The statement highlighted that in Chiclayo, โThe accused was removed from ministry, victims were provided assistance, allegations were reported to local authorities who conducted necessary investigations, and these were reviewed by the Vatican,โ
Additionally, Prevostโs role in an inquiry into Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a prominent Catholic group in Peru disbanded due to allegations under Pope Francis, underscored his contentious history.
This engagement prompted backlash from movement members, who disseminated accusations against Prevost on social media, perceived by some in the Vatican as attempts to undermine him.
Furthermore, SNAP cited Prevostโs leadership of the Dicastery for Bishops from 2023 to 2025, citing situations involving bishops from Canada, Colombia, and Australia resigning amid abuse claims but maintaining their bishop status.
Though his office was responsible for investigating accused bishops, ultimate decisions rested with Pope Francis at the time, as the pontiff holds supreme authority over bishops.