Vatican sued over McCormack abuse

May 11, 2011 (CHICAGO)

Attorneys claim that all of the problems lead to Rome, and that unless there is change at the top, children worldwide will be in danger.

Attorneys announced the new lawsuit Wednesday against the Vatican. It's being brought on behalf of the mother of one of Father McCormack's victims. Attorneys are seeking to have McCormack jailed indefinitely as a sexually violent predator.

McCormack was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in 2007 to charges he fondled five boys. In February, two more young men came forward claiming they were sexually abused when McCormack served as a pastor in the Lawndale community on the West Side.

McCormack, who was removed from the priesthood in 2007, was first arrested in 2003 when he was accused of molesting an 8-year-old boy. He was never charged with that crime. Police say they had insufficient evidence.

Attorneys claim Father McCormack was promoted despite the arrest, and every Catholic official involved in the case has been promoted, too.

"It is their policy, the demand of secrecy, and that permitted Daniel McCormack, Cardinal George, and every single official of the archdiocese at the top to allow this to continue unabated," said attorney Jeff Anderson.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday morning in federal court. The Archdiocese of Chicago said they have not had a chance to review the lawsuit and that they don't comment on pending litigation.

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