• Pope Leo XIV faces allegations of ignoring child sexual abuse claims in Chicago and Peru during his leadership roles.
• Survivors’ groups demand transparency and accountability from the new pope for his past inaction.
• Critics question whether Prevost’s previous failures will hinder his ability to address the ongoing abuse crisis in the Church.

Allegations Against Pope Leo XIV Emerge Hours After Election

Pope Leo XIV, the first North American pontiff, faces serious allegations related to child sexual abuse. Just hours after his election, accusations surfaced claiming that he ignored abuse reports in the U.S. and South America. These allegations focus on his inaction when confronted with cases of abuse involving priests in Chicago and Peru. Survivors’ groups have called for accountability, urging the Catholic Church to investigate these claims thoroughly.

Abuse Allegations in Chicago and St. John Stone Friary

The first accusations target Prevost’s time in Chicago, where he grew up. One of the most notable cases involves Father James Ray, an Augustinian priest. Ray was removed from ministry due to sexual abuse accusations but was allowed to live at St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park. Despite being in close proximity to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, Prevost did not alert the school or local authorities. The church claimed Ray was to be closely monitored, but concerns were never acted upon. The lack of action and communication led to increased scrutiny of Prevost’s handling of such cases.

Sexual Abuse Claims in Peru Under Prevost’s Leadership

Prevost’s leadership in the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2014 to 2023 is also under investigation. Two priests in the diocese were accused of sexual abuse, and their victims reported these allegations to the church. However, survivors allege that their claims were ignored. According to reports, the Diocese downplayed and withheld details of the allegations before sending them to the Vatican. The investigation into the matter was eventually dropped due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and lack of evidence. This failure to act has led to questions about Prevost’s responsibility in handling abuse cases within the church.

SNAP and Survivors Demand Accountability

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, has been vocal about Prevost’s election. Lopez de Casas, a victim of clergy abuse and a prominent member of SNAP, criticized the decision to elect him as pope. He called on the Church to take a closer look at Prevost’s past actions. Lopez de Casas and other survivors’ advocates had already placed Prevost on a “watchlist” due to his alleged failure to address abuse allegations. Their concerns now center on the potential for further cover-ups if Prevost is allowed to lead without full accountability.

Accusations of Ignoring Abuse at Providence Catholic High School

Prevost’s leadership role with the Midwest Augustinians and his time at Providence Catholic High School in Illinois also raise red flags. Father Richard McGrath, a former priest and school leader, was accused of sexual abuse by former students. One of the victims, Robert Krankvich, claimed McGrath forced him into sexual acts as a child. Krankvich later struggled with addiction and passed away after reaching a \$2 million settlement with the church. Despite these serious allegations, Prevost did not take action to investigate or remove McGrath from his position until years later.

Church’s Response and Prevost’s Leadership

The Catholic Church’s response to these allegations has drawn significant criticism. SNAP has written directly to the Vatican, urging them to investigate Prevost’s involvement in these cases. The organization points out that Prevost was in a key position to address these issues but failed to take meaningful action. Church leaders in Chicago and Peru have been accused of downplaying the severity of the abuse and preventing investigations from moving forward. Critics argue that Prevost’s leadership and decision-making allowed these abuses to continue unchecked.

Public Reactions and Ongoing Scrutiny

Despite these allegations, some members of the Catholic community have expressed support for Prevost. At Providence Catholic High School, where Prevost once served, many remember him as a compassionate and intelligent leader. Father John Merkelis, the current president of the school, praised Prevost’s leadership, calling him a sensitive and pastoral figure. However, these positive views are overshadowed by the growing concerns about his past actions. Critics argue that Prevost’s connections to a school with such a troubled history of abuse raise serious questions about his ability to lead the Church effectively.

Hope for Change Under an American Pope

Some have suggested that an American pope might be better positioned to address the ongoing sexual abuse crisis within the Church. The United States has taken strong actions to hold priests accountable for abuse, and some believe that Prevost’s experience with these issues could help bring about change. However, concerns remain about whether his past failures to act will hinder progress. Survivors and advocacy groups continue to demand transparency and justice, urging the Church to confront these issues head-on under the new pope’s leadership.