Archdiocese of Chicago 1999 to 2006: Despite warnings since seminary, an arrest and the recommendation of its own review board, Daniel McCormack remained in ministry; the archdiocese later received 104 abuse claims about him

Daniel McCormack was a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, teacher and basketball coach at a parish school. According to the Illinois Attorney General, officials knew of possible abuse from his seminary days. In 1999 a school official advised a nun who reported an allegation to let it go if the parents were not pushing it; in 2003 a further complaint was not investigated. After his arrest in August 2005 he remained in ministry, was appointed dean days later and ignored the restrictions. Only after a second arrest in January 2006 was he charged; he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison. The archdiocese received 104 claims of abuse by him after 1999. An audit it commissioned found a total breakdown in communication and violations of the duty to report.

Period

1999-2006 (7 years)

Country

United States

Institutions

Archdiocese of Chicago

Category

Sexual abuse, Cover-up

Level of evidence

A Primary source · what does this mean?

Persons

Daniel McCormack (Priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago; according to the Illinois Attorney General pleaded guilty to abusing five boys, five years in prison)
Francis George (Cardinal, Archbishop of Chicago, died 2015; according to the Attorney General left McCormack in ministry despite the review board's recommendation)

Background

Response of the Church

1. According to the Illinois Attorney General, officials knew of possible abuse from McCormack's seminary days in the 1980s but ordained him anyway. In 1999 a school official advised the nun who reported an abuse allegation to let it go if the parents were not pushing it. In 2003 the grandmother of an alleged victim complained; the archdiocese did not investigate. According to the audit an investigation at the time would have identified another victim.
   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 64 f.

   „officials were aware of potential abuse by McCormack as early“

   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 65

   „that “[i]f the parents aren’t pushing it, let it go.” McCormack“

   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 65

   „archdiocese to complain about McCormack. The archdiocese did“

   Evidence: Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago, Executive Summary

   „dealt with at the time, it would have identified another alleged sexually abused minor by“

2. In August 2005 McCormack was arrested for sexually abusing a child, released without charges and left in ministry by the archdiocese. According to the audit staff did not report the arrest to the cardinal for almost three days; on 29 August 2005 Cardinal Francis George approved his appointment as dean. The restrictions were only given to him orally and the school was not informed; he continued to coach children in basketball, taught algebra and took minors on a shopping trip out of state. In October 2005 the review board recommended his removal from ministry; according to the Attorney General the cardinal took no action.
   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 65

   „and left in ministry by the archdiocese“

   Evidence: Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago, Executive Summary

   „George for almost three (3) days even though Cardinal George was present within“

   Evidence: Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago, Executive Summary

   „The audit identified that on August 29, 2005 Cardinal George approved the official“

   Evidence: Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago, Executive Summary

   „the basketball team of minors, to teach algebra to minors“

   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 65

   „from ministry. Cardinal George took no action.“

3. There are two accounts of the cardinal's role. The 2006 audit commissioned by the archdiocese finds that from 1999 to 2005 Cardinal George did not know what he needed to know to make a decision because his staff did not give him all the information, including allegations from seminary days. According to the Attorney General, by contrast, George admitted knowing of children McCormack abused after the cardinal chose to leave him in ministry; the review board was "extremely dismayed" that he did not act.
   Evidence: Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago, Executive Summary

   „George did not know what he needed to know to make a definitive decision regarding Fr.“

   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 66

   „also admitted to knowing of children that McCormack abused“

   Evidence: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Archdiocese of Chicago, S. 65

   „writing members were “extremely“

See also

• 1950-2019 · 69 years

  Sexual abuse by Catholic clerics in Illinois (Attorney General's report 2023)

  • United States
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up

Original documents to read

1. Government report
   Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul: Report on Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse in Illinois, 23 May 2023. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
2. Commission report
   Defenbaugh & Associates, im Auftrag der Erzdiözese Chicago: Due Diligence Review, Archdiocese of Chicago, Executive Summary, 20 March 2006. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.