Sexual Abuse Scandals Plague Catholic Church and CPS in Illinois
TL;DR Summary
An investigation by the Illinois Attorney General's Office has revealed that two priests, William Harbert and M. Duane Leclercq, left a trail of sexual abuse from Pekin to Bloomington. The report shows that the Catholic Diocese of Peoria was aware of their behavior but did little to address it. Harbert, who taught sex education to freshman boys, was known for grabbing children by the groin. Leclercq was called in for police questioning after a 16-year-old boy reported that the priest fondled him at his apartment. A total of 12 people have come forward to report abuse by Harbert.
- Report: 2 priests abused children from Bloomington to Pekin and beyond Peoria Journal Star
- What the Latest Investigations Into Catholic Church Sex Abuse Mean The New York Times
- Ex-priest, who left after sex abuse accusations, settlements, not among 451 predatory clergy Kwame Raoul's investigation turned up Chicago Sun-Times
- Investigation: Peoria diocese failed to fully address sex abuse claims Peoria Journal Star
- Benjamin Colwell: Abuse within CPS deserves state scrutiny too Chicago Tribune
- View Full Coverage on Google News
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