Newly elected Chicago Pope Leo XIV accused of not acting quickly enough to address past cases of abuse by priests
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — While the election of the new pope from Chicago’s South Side brings celebration for many, there are others who remain concerned. They see this as a crucial moment for the Catholic Church to address the issue of priest-related child abuse more effectively.

The Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) expressed their concerns to ABC7 Chicago’s I-Team, highlighting that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, had not responded swiftly or openly to local incidents of child sexual abuse by clergy members.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Peter Isley of SNAP said he is sounding the alarm.

“We cannot have another pope who conceals sex crimes,” Isley stated to the I-Team from Rome. “The last three popes have been guilty of this; we cannot allow it to happen again. We must not carry this issue into another papacy.”

SNAP said when then-Robert Prevost was head of the Midwest Augustinian order, in a position of power and authority, he did not take action quickly enough after alleged abuse committed by Father Richard McGrath.

McGrath was principal of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox.

In 2018, ABC7 spoke with Bob Krankvich, after he accused Father McGrath of sexually abusing him during his freshman and sophomore years at Providence Catholic High School.

“I realize I have to do this; I have to do this to give other people a voice, not just for myself but for other victims,” Krankvich said.

Krankvich sued the Augustinian Order and Providence High School in 2018. The case settled in 2023 in Krankvich’s favor for $2 million.

RELATED: Exploring Pope Leo XIV’s deep roots on Chicago’s South Side, south suburbs

The Midwest Augustinian Order confirmed to the I-Team McGrath was dismissed from the order in December 2024, and his whereabouts are unknown to church authorities.

Abuse survivor Krankvich died last month, after heart and liver issues associated with long-term alcohol abuse, Krankvich’s attorney Marc Pearlman told the I-Team.

Looking back at this litigation and other cases involving the Augustinian Order, Pearlman said the church, under Prevost’s leadership, did not act “transparently or compassionately.”

“Their words ring hollow, and their actions speak volumes,” Pearlman said.

Pearlman said Prevost was referenced in multiple documents in this and other alleged abuse cases he has litigated with the Augustinian Order.

SNAP and the organization Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) wrote a letter in 2023 to Cardinal Christophe Pierre, accusing Prevost and four other Illinois church leaders of “inaction” after the McGrath allegations became public.

Pearlman hopes that this new papacy will bring change.

“I’ve watched the coverage on the new pope, and no one even mentioned sex abuse, and we better keep talking about it,” Pearlman said. “What the new pope can do is address this issue head-on, and act with transparency and compassionately.”

Prevost has given several public statements about the Catholic sexual abuse scandal, telling the Portugal news publication “La Republica” in 2019, “If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a priest, report it.”

“We reject cover-ups and secrecy; that causes a lot of harm because we have to help people who have suffered due to wrongdoing,” Prevost said.

One representative from SNAP told the I-Team the first American pope is the spotlight their organization needs to root out sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. SNAP is urging the new pope to sign a zero-tolerance sexual abuse policy into Catholic law.

“He needs to tell the truth to the Catholic people, and he needs to sign that zero tolerance law,” Isley said. “And we will work with him.”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'Let's not be naive about this'

“We Shouldn’t Be Naive About This”

The onset of World War III is anticipated when Chinese President Xi…
Musk launches 'America Party' in response to 'insane' Trump tax bill passing

Musk Introduces ‘America Party’ Following ‘Absurd’ Passage of Trump Tax Bill

Elon Musk threatened to form a new party if President Donald Trump’s…
Crime scene with numbered markers.

Nine Dead and 93 Injured, Including Children, During Fourth of July Violence, Marking One of the Year’s Deadliest Days

AT least nine people have died and 93 are injured after violence…
Visitor feared to have lost arm in lion zoo attack

Visitor Suspected of Losing Arm in Lion Attack at Zoo

A woman in her 50s is believed to have lost an arm…
Republican congressman reunites with daughters after Texas camp flooding, thanks ‘countless heroes’

Republican Congressman Reunites with Daughters Following Texas Camp Flood, Praises ‘Countless Heroes’

A Republican legislator reported that he has been reunited with his two…
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm out of Subway Series lineup with shoulder issue

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Misses Subway Series Game Due to Shoulder Problem

The Yankees, struggling with a six-game losing streak and several player absences,…
Aerial view of a 3,500-year-old archaeological site in Peru.

Remarkable 3,500-Year-Old Lost City of the Americas’ Oldest Civilization Discovered in Peru

AN ANCIENT city that is over 3,500 years old has been unearthed…
Yankees trade catcher Alex Jackson to Orioles as Austin Wells breaks out of slump

Yankees send catcher Alex Jackson to Orioles; Austin Wells finds his groove

The Yankees traded away another organizational catcher Sunday, shipping Alex Jackson from…
A girl falling during a field day event while other girls watch.

Heartwrenching Videos Capture Kids Enjoying Camp Mystic – Before Singing Through Tears While Escaping Dangerous Floodwaters

HEARTBREAKING video shows girls having fun at Camp Mystic just days before…
Michael Kay claps back at 'fawning fanboy' Blue Jays broadcaster

Michael Kay Responds to Criticism from Blue Jays Broadcaster

After being taunted with a broom, Michael Kay dropped a hammer. Kay,…
Trump calls Elon Musk's formation of new party 'ridiculous'

Trump Criticizes Elon Musk’s New Political Party as ‘Absurd’

President Donald Trump criticized Elon Musk’s idea to create a new political…
Texas school gathers supplies to help flood-impacted locals after spotlight moves on

Texas School Collects Supplies to Support Flood-Affected Community After Media Spotlight Shifts

As families in the Texas Hill Country struggle with the aftermath of…