Holy Angels Catholic Church, a landmark in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, has long been a cornerstone of the African American Catholic community. However, this legacy has been overshadowed by allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy associated with the parish.

The Chicago clergy abuse attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team specialize in clergy abuse cases, offering survivors the legal support needed to pursue justice and hold institutions accountable.

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Background and Influence of Holy Angels Catholic Church

Holy Angels Catholic Church holds a unique place in Chicago’s spiritual and cultural history. Established in 1896 in the Bronzeville neighborhood, it became a beacon of faith and a center of community life for African American Catholics during the mid-20th century.

The parish rose to prominence under the leadership of Rev. George Clements, who served as pastor from 1969 to 1991.

Father Clements was a trailblazer in the Church, advocating for civil rights and initiating the “One Church-One Child” program, which encouraged the adoption of African American children. His leadership transformed Holy Angels into a symbol of hope and resilience during turbulent times.

Holy Angels also played a vital role in education and outreach. Its associated Catholic school, once among the largest African American Catholic schools in the nation, provided quality education to generations of children in Bronzeville. The parish’s outreach efforts supported countless families, making it a pillar of the local community.

Despite its positive contributions, Holy Angels has been embroiled in controversy due to allegations of clergy sexual abuse. These allegations tarnish the church’s reputation and highlight systemic issues within the larger Archdiocese of Chicago.

Prominent figures, including Rev. George Clements and Rev. John Calicott, have been implicated in cases that span decades, bringing scrutiny to the parish’s legacy of leadership.

Abuse Allegations Within Holy Angels Catholic Church

Holy Angels Catholic Church has faced serious allegations of sexual abuse involving its clergy, casting a shadow over its historical legacy.

In April 2022, the Archdiocese of Chicago reached an $800,000 settlement over claims against five clergy members, including a posthumous claim against Rev. George Clements. The claimant alleged that the abuse began in 1974 when he was seven years old at Holy Angels Parish. [1]

Another significant case involves Rev. John Calicott, who served at Holy Angels and was accused of sexually abusing minors in the 1970s. In the 1990s, Calicott admitted to engaging in sexual misconduct with minors two decades earlier.

Despite initial removal from ministry, he was later reinstated with restrictions, only to be permanently removed in 2002 following the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ adoption of a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse. In 2020, the Archdiocese settled a claim alleging sexual abuse by Calicott for $8 million, one of the largest clergy abuse settlementsof its kind.

Legal Proceedings and Investigations into Holy Angels Catholic Church

The allegations of sexual abuse at Holy Angels Catholic Church have led to numerous legal proceedings and settlements, shedding light on systemic failures in how the Church and the Archdiocese of Chicago handled such cases.

The Illinois Attorney General’s 2023 report on clergy sexual abuse was instrumental in exposing abuse within Illinois’ Catholic dioceses, including Holy Angels Catholic Church. The report documented nearly 2,000 cases of abuse by over 450 clergy members statewide, uncovering previously unreported cases and highlighting failures to act on allegations. [2]

The legal proceedings tied to Holy Angels Catholic Church have emphasized the need for institutional reforms within the Archdiocese of Chicago. The lawsuits mentioned above have not only provided financial compensation to survivors but also drawn attention to systemic issues such as the reassignment of accused priests and failures to report abuse to law enforcement.

The Church’s Role in Enabling Abuse or Cover-Ups

Holy Angels Catholic Church, like other institutions within the Archdiocese of Chicago, has faced scrutiny for its role in enabling abuse and covering up allegations. The failures in oversight and accountability within the church’s leadership allowed abusive clergy members to continue their misconduct for decades.

One of the most troubling practices was the reassignment of clergy members accused of abuse. Instead of removing them from ministry, the Archdiocese often transferred these individuals to new parishes without informing congregants of their past misconduct.

For example, Rev. John Calicott continued to serve after admitting to prior abuse, only being permanently removed in 2002 after public and legal pressure mounted.

The Archdiocese of Chicago initially withheld the names of many clergy members accused of abuse. It wasn’t until the mid-2000s, under pressure from survivors and advocacy groups, that the Archdiocese began publishing a list of clergy with substantiated allegations. This delay in transparency contributed to a culture of silence that perpetuated abuse.

Survivors and their families have reported being discouraged from coming forward or facing skepticism when they did. In some cases, internal investigations were delayed or dismissed altogether, further enabling abusive behavior. This systemic failure to address complaints reflected an institutional prioritization of reputation over the well-being of parishioners.

While the Archdiocese has since implemented measures such as mandatory reporting and training programs to prevent future abuse, gaps remain. Critics argue that these efforts, while significant, came too late for many survivors and do not fully address the structural issues that allowed abuse to occur.

Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse at Holy Angels Catholic Church

Survivors of clergy abuse at Holy Angels Catholic Church have legal avenues available to seek justice and hold responsible parties accountable.

In criminal prosecution cases, law enforcement investigates and prosecutes clergy accused of abuse based on available evidence. Convictions can result in prison sentences and mandatory registration as a sex offender. However, criminal cases are often limited by statutes of limitations, which may restrict prosecution for older instances of abuse.

Civil claims provide survivors with the opportunity to seek financial compensation for the harm they’ve endured. Survivors can pursue damages for:

Emotional distress and trauma
Therapy and medical expenses
Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering

In Illinois, recent legislative changes have extended the statute of limitations for filing civil sexual abuse claims, allowing survivors more time to come forward.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Navigating a clergy abuse case can be complex and emotionally challenging. The Illinois clergy abuse attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team provide survivors with critical support by handling legal complexities, gathering evidence, and building strong cases. Our expertise ensures that survivors’ rights are protected and that institutions are held accountable for their role in enabling abuse.

Secure Expert Legal Counsel!

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at Holy Angels Catholic Church, you don’t have to face the path to justice alone. At Injury Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to representing survivors of clergy abuse with compassion and professionalism. Our clergy abuse attorneys have extensive experience handling complex cases, ensuring survivors receive the justice they deserve.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we secure compensation for you. Your privacy is our priority, and we handle every case with the utmost care and confidentiality.

Call 866-757-6452 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

References: [1] Chicago Tribune, [2] Illinois Attorney General