When a priest is accused, or convicted, of abuse it is often a prominent news story. One of the many reasons that the public is so interested in cases of priest abuse is because priests are in a unique position of trust and when they violate that trust in a profound way, such as abusing children or parishioners, the public is understandably concerned.
Former priest Daniel McCormack has pleaded guilty to abusing five boys. He has been sentenced to five years in prison and has been removed from the priesthood. The state is now seeking to have Mr. McCormack confined to a state treatment facility under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. The Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act allows prosecutors to petition the court for continued incarceration if there is a great likelihood that a sexually violent person will commit another sex crime.
The court has not yet ruled on whether Mr. McCormack should be civilly committed, as the prosecutors argue. However, the court has denied Mr. McCormack’s motion to seal records and keep the proceedings about whether he should be committed private.
Does the court’s ruling in this case make sense? Does the public have a right to know what happens during these proceedings?
Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think and if you have been the victim of sexual abuse by a priest or another clergy member, we encourage you to contact an Illinois priest abuse attorney today for a free consultation.