Monday, January 30, 2006

Chicago and the Case of McCormack

The case of Fr. McCormack continues to be in the news. It reads like the cases of the 60s,70s and 80s when we didn't know how to address these cases. Yeah.

Fr. McCormack's troubles apparently began in the Seminary. According to his roommate. But the Archdiocese refuses to confirm if the complaint was ever made to them.

Sounds like a yes to me.

An interesting article about Fr. McCormack and his career in Chicago. I will delineate the time line to show how quickly he was moving up the ranks.

Born in 1968, McCormack was the 5th of 9 children. He graduated from Quigley Seminary South and then Niles College of Loyola University with a degree in American and African American History. 1990 he received a Masters in Divinity from Mundelein.

From 1990-94 McCormack worked at St Martin of Tours, Our Lady of Peace and Old St. James

1994 Ordination and St. Ailbe until 1997.

In 1997 Fr. McCormack became a full-time faculty member at St. Joseph Seminary of Loyola acting as:

Director of Liturgy
Dean of Admissions
Dean of Student Formation and Direction (where he lived in the dorm w/ students)
History Professor
Sacramental Minister at Holy Family (where the first allegation is made and documented though in another case of poor recordkeeping that document cannot be found) Darn.

Strangely enough, Bishop Manz is said to have approached the Holy Family school to request that Fr. McCormack say Mass because he "really missed the kids". Now I have a friend who is the principal of a Catholic school and they have trouble finding a priest to say Mass for them. Of course they're not in Chicago.

In 2000, McCormack was made Pastor of St. Agatha's. Fr. McCormack is still listed as a Speaker for the Theology on Tap series sponsored by the Archdiocese here. They might want to change that. Though on the other hand that could be some excellent community service.

Cardinal George has really had a busy week. Fresh back from a trip to Thailand, New Zealand and Rome, he had to confront this public relations disaster. Then Saturday morning, after leaving the hospital, where he went because he thought he was having a stroke, he called a press conference to discuss the Archdiocese's handling of the case. The article is here.

Fr. McCormack's most recent promotion was as the supervisor to 20 westside parishes. A man rapidly moving up the career ladder makes one wonder, "what is it about Fr. McCormack that put him in the way of so many promotions so quickly in his fledgling career?" The spirit of Fr. Bernadin must have really been watching out for him.

A final quote from Fr. McCormack :

Because of the present crisis in the Church, we are a very wounded group of men. We gathered in support of each other and our ministries. But it was amazing, the talk was not about 'whoa is me' [sic] but how can we heal the church for the faithful. Our conversation revolved around you, the people of the church.


Fr. McCormack is in the custody of his brother who is a police officer and free on $200,000 bail. He faces 7 years in jail if convicted.

2 comments:

Madeline said...

I don't think that the spelling of the work "whoa" in the quote by McCormack is necessarily wrong. Perhaps he was thinking "slow down" because he was afraid that more victims would be encouraged to come forward, and expose him.

I have to say I'm pretty disgusted with the "saddenned and penitent" airs of the bishops and cardinals that have perpetuated these crimes by placing the perpetrators and their prey in such close proximity. (accidental alliteration, there - not trying to be cute.).

I can imagine these same men standing at a discreet distance from the cross, on Calvary, mournfully, expressing their "concern" for Our Lord, but who also want to express their "compassion" for those who crucified Christ.

Where is the bishop or cardinal that is OUTRAGED, SICKENED and DISGUSTED at the abuse of the children, the abuse of the office, and the abuse of the Church?!

Show me a shepherd with some righteous anger, and I'll follow him!

Thomas Coolberth said...

Mr. McCormack met your cell mate: Mr. Druce.

If he goes to jail his days are numbered.