Cardinal Francis George gives video deposition in McCormack sex abuse case

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Cardinal Francis George gave a video-recorded deposition Thursday, in a series of lawsuits involving former priest and convicted sex offender Daniel McCormack.

The deposition - which took place at an undisclosed, off-site location - got underway at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Questioning was expected to last all day.

The Archdiocese of Chicago calls it "a routine part of the court process."

A spokesperson for the archdiocese said the deposition was done in case Cardinal George isn't physically able in the future.

The cardinal recently had chemotherapy for cancer near his right kidney.

The questioning likely focused on what Cardinal George knew about McCormack - and when he knew about it.

The plaintiff's attorneys have criticized the cardinal for promoting McCormack and keeping him in a West Side parish even after the former priest was arrested on suspicions of sexually abusing children, McCormack was later released.

The ex-priest pleaded guilty in 2007.

Cardinal George said after McCormack's indictment, he should have pushed harder for details about the allegations.

The cardinal launched an investigation that found church procedures for removing priests were "far from perfect."

McCormack was arrested earlier this month, accused yet again in a new case stemming from an alleged incident in 2005 involving a 10-year-old boy.

The archdiocese has already spent millions of dollars to settle cases against McCormack.