Hurley McKenna & Mertz partner Michael Mertz spoke to the Associated Press about the Illinois Attorney General’s long-awaited report regarding the sexual abuse of children in Illinois by Roman Catholic priests, brothers, and other church officials. The Attorney General’s investigation resulted in the Illinois Catholic Dioceses publicly listing for the first time an additional 231 substantiated Catholic cleric and religious brother child sex abusers.
When asked by the Associated Press whether victims of sexual abuse by priests and religious brothers can still seek justice in court, Mike explained that abuse victims should definitely come forward and seek legal representation now:
Michael Mertz, another attorney who concentrates on child sex abuse cases, also encouraged people who experienced abuse to get legal help and evaluate whether exceptions to the statue of limitations may apply to their case.
“Illinois law currently allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to come forward where the church fraudulently concealed involvement in the abuse,” Mertz said. “As this report shows, the church has been concealing the identities of hundreds of abusers.”
Hurley McKenna & Mertz is dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims of sexual abuse to finally get the truth from the religious institutions that have so often fought to protect the abusers. Hurley McKenna & Mertz has represented thousands of victims of sexual and physical abuse by priests, religious brothers and Boy Scout leaders. We obtained a record $12 million settlement from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago on behalf of three children permanently injured by severe abuse by a foster parent under the supervision of Catholic Charities.
We believe information is still being withheld and that many more priests guilty of sexual abuse are still not listed in this week’s report. Our mission is to force the Archdiocese to take responsibility for all priests who have abused children, including Father Daniel McCormack.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic priest or other clergy member, you deserve justice. For more information about our work on these types of cases, or for a confidential, free consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form here.
