Holy Angels Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Claims Lawyer
Holy Angels Catholic Church sexual abuse claims have brought painful attention to allegations of Catholic priest misconduct tied to one of Chicago’s most historically significant parishes.
Located in the Bronzeville, IL neighborhood, Holy Angels Catholic Church has long been a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of the African American Catholic community. However, for many survivors, that legacy has been deeply overshadowed by reports of sexual misconduct involving clergy associated with the parish and failures by church leadership to protect minors and respond appropriately.
At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors of clergy sexual assault throughout Chicago and Illinois. We understand how difficult it can be to come forward, especially when abuse is connected to a respected religious institution. We stand with survivors seeking accountability, transparency, and justice, and we believe institutions must be held responsible when they enable or conceal abuse.
What Is the Background and Influence of the Holy Angels Catholic Church?
Holy Angels Catholic Church holds a unique place in the city’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 kids. 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 kids in Bronzeville. The parish’s outreach efforts supported countless families, making it a pillar of the local congregation.
Despite its positive contributions, Holy Angels has been embroiled in controversy due to claims of clergy sexual misconduct. 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 spanning decades, drawing scrutiny to the parish’s legacy of leadership.
What Are the Abuse Allegations Against Father George Clements and Other Holy Angels Catholic Church Members?
Holy Angels Catholic Church has recently faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct 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 that credibly accused Rev. George Clements of abusing boys. The claimant alleged that the abuse began in 1974 when he was seven years old at Holy Angels Parish.
Another significant case involves Rev. John Calicott, who served at Holy Angels and was accused of sexually abusing minors in the 1970s. Before his 1969 appointment as pastor of Holy Angels, he served as an associate pastor at two Chicago parishes. In the 1990s, Calicott admitted to engaging in sexual misconduct with minors twenty years earlier. Calicott was reported to have locked himself in a rectory room with a minor, raising serious concerns.
Despite being put on administrative leave and subsequently removed from public 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 misconduct by Calicott for $8 million, one of the largest clergy abuse settlements of its kind.
What Are the Legal Proceedings and Investigations into Holy Angels Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Chicago?
The allegations of sexual misconduct at Holy Angels Catholic Church have led to numerous legal proceedings and settlements, shedding light on systemic failures in how the Church and its leadership in Chicago handled such cases.
The Illinois Attorney General’s 2023 report on clergy sexual misconduct was instrumental in exposing abuse within Illinois’ Catholic dioceses, including Holy Angels Catholic Church. The report determined nearly 2,000 cases of abuse by over 450 clergy members statewide, uncovering previously unreported cases and highlighting failures to act on reports of misconduct.
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.
What Is 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 reported abuse. 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 who abused children. Instead of removing them from ministry, the Archdiocese often transferred these individuals to new parishes without informing congregants of their prior misconduct, thus allowing misconduct to happen again.
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 under investigation for 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 claims. 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 parishioners’ well-being.
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.
What Laws Govern Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Illinois?
Illinois law provides multiple legal pathways for survivors of clergy sexual assault, with a strong emphasis on accountability and extended access to the courts.
Under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5), clergy members are mandatory reporters of suspected abuse of minors when information is received outside of sacramental confession. When clergy or church leadership fail to report abuse, both individuals and institutions may face civil liability for those omissions.
The Illinois Gender Violence Act (740 ILCS 82) allows survivors to bring civil actions for gender-based violence, including sexual assault. It may extend liability to institutions that enabled or facilitated the harm.
In addition, Illinois recognizes common-law claims for negligent supervision and negligent retention, which allow survivors to hold churches and dioceses accountable when they knew, or should have known, that a clergy member posed a risk and failed to protect kids.
One of the most significant protections for survivors is found in 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2, which governs the statute of limitations for childhood sexual misconduct civil claims. Under current law, survivors generally have 20 years after turning age 18 to file a civil lawsuit.
Alternatively, a claim may be filed within 20 years of the date the survivor discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, that the abuse occurred and that it caused injury, whichever period ends later. The limitations clock does not begin before age 18, may be tolled for legal disability, and excludes time during which the survivor was subjected to threats, intimidation, or fraudulent concealment related to the abuse.
Together, these laws reflect Illinois’ commitment to survivor-centered justice and institutional responsibility.
Civil claims enable survivors 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
How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help
Navigating an abuse case tied to a religious institution can be complex and emotionally challenging. The Illinois clergy abuse attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team provide clients with critical support and a full range of legal services, handling complex matters, 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 victims of all forms of clergy abuse with compassion and professionalism. Our sexual 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. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling every case with the utmost care and confidentiality.
Call us or fill out our contact form to request a free consultation.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.