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Pope Leo XIV in Hot Seat Over Chicago Child Abuse Case

  • Pope Leo XIV approved a priest’s move near a school despite child abuse claims, raising questions about Church leadership and oversight.
  • James M. Ray admitted to inappropriate conduct with minors but claimed he still feels spiritually connected despite being defrocked.
  • Victims and advocates continue to criticize Pope Leo XIV’s past handling of abuse cases in both the U.S. and Peru.

A former priest from Chicago, James M. Ray, now defrocked and accused of sexually abusing at least 13 children, made a serious accusation against Pope Leo XIV. The pope, formerly known as Robert Prevost, allegedly approved Ray’s move to a monastery near a Catholic elementary school. This happened while Prevost led the Midwest Province of the Catholic Church’s Augustinian order. Ray said Prevost gave him permission to stay at the St. John Stone Friary. That friary sits just a block away from St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School and near a child care center. Ray had already faced allegations of abuse at that time.

Church Allowed Ray to Stay Near Kids Despite Abuse Claims

The Archdiocese of Chicago listed Ray among accused sexual offenders in 1990. He was under restrictions but still worked in three parishes. In 2000, the Archdiocese helped him find new housing. They placed him in the Hyde Park friary even though it was dangerously close to children. Church officials claimed in paperwork that “there was no school in the immediate area.” That was false. The school and child care center were never told Ray would live there. Ray said he had to move because his old residence was being torn down. He claimed Cardinal Francis George’s vicar put out word to find him a new place to stay. The Augustinians responded, and Prevost allegedly gave final approval.

Pope Leo XIV Allegedly Knew But Took No Extra Precautions

Ray said church paperwork showed Prevost approved his move. He also mentioned Rev. James Thompson, now deceased, who lived at the friary and monitored Ray. The church did not inform school leaders because they said Ray would be under close watch. However, that decision raised concerns. Michael Airdo, an attorney for the Augustinians, said Cardinal George and Thompson, not Prevost, handled Ray’s placement. He said Prevost’s only role was approving a guest to stay at standard rates. Yet, Ray stayed at the monastery for two years before new rules forced his removal. These rules came from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and aimed to protect children from accused priests.

Ray Admits to Sexual Incidents but Downplays Their Severity

In 2012, the Church defrocked Ray. The Archdiocese later released internal files about accused priests. Those files said Ray’s victims were boys between 10 and 18. They included details about Ray touching boys while giving “back rubs” that led to mutual masturbation. Ray admitted to another act during a 1993 trip to Medjugorje, where he masturbated a paraplegic man at the airport. Despite these disturbing reports, Ray still tried to downplay the accusations. He said one case involved a young man over 20, not a child. He admitted he was wrong but rated his misconduct as “a one or a half” on a scale of 1 to 10. He added, “I can’t change the past,” and claimed he still had faith.

Pope Leo XIV Also Criticized for Handling Abuse Cases in Peru

This is not the first time Pope Leo XIV has faced criticism over child sex abuse cases. From 2014 to 2023, he led the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. During his time there, victims accused two priests of sexual abuse. They said the diocese failed to send full details and documents to the Vatican. This delayed Church action. The Pillar, a Catholic news outlet, reported that Prevost met with victims in April 2022. He told them to report their claims to civil authorities. However, the Church later dropped the case due to lack of evidence and expired time limits. Victims and advocates say that response fell short.

Abuse Survivors Group Warned Cardinals Before Papal Vote

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) warned cardinals before Prevost became pope. They wanted voters to know about his past inaction. Lopez de Casas, a national leader in the group, said people will watch Pope Leo XIV closely. He said this kind of attention helps all victims because the Church will now face more pressure. In a 2023 interview, Prevost said the Church must speak openly about abuse. He added that silence will not help victims heal. He promised transparency and honesty. Still, many want to see if he will act differently now as pope.

Ray Says He Sees Positive Signs in Prevost’s Leadership

Despite his claims about Prevost, Ray ended his interview on a positive note. He said the new pope gives off “very positive vibes.” He still feels hurt by the Church’s actions but says his faith remains strong. Ray added that he lives his life the best he can. However, the facts in the released files, combined with the allegations of overlooked risks, continue to raise serious questions. Ray’s presence near a school, the lack of warnings to the community, and the pope’s past decisions all point to failures that many believe must now be addressed with honesty and urgency.

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