Archdiocese of Chicago

The Queen of Martyrs Elementary School community is planning a farewell celebration, following the archdiocese announcement that the school will not reopen this year. The closure was attributed to declining enrollment and occurred after a scandal involving substitute teacher Brett Smith. A lawsuit also alleges that archdiocese officials were aware of Smith’s sexual abuse allegations and failed to notify parents.

The Archdiocese of Chicago sent letters to 10 church communities after retired priests Kenneth Fleck and Thomas Conde were accused of abuse.

A retired Catholic priest, Rev. Thomas Conde, is accused of child sex abuse in a pending lawsuit, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Cardinal Blase Cupich stated Conde has denied the allegations and has been asked to step aside during the investigation.

Loyola University Chicago and the Ignation Mission Center plan to redevelop the shuttered St. Ignatius campus in Rogers Park into a student housing complex and a social services center for Spanish-speaking women. Loyola will demolish the vacant school to build 64 student units, while the Ignation Mission Center will convert the church and rectory into a shelter, daycare, and food pantry. The project requires zoning changes and permits, and includes a $625,000 donation to the nonprofit over 10 years.

Father Michael Pfleger was removed from his leadership role at Saint Sabina Parish in Chicago following a new sexual abuse accusation involving a girl from 1993-95. The Archdiocese of Chicago is investigating, while Pfleger denies the claim, calling it a false attempt to silence his activism. Pfleger has faced four prior accusations, all cleared by the Archdiocese.

Father Michael Pfleger is facing an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor at St. Sabina, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Pfleger denies the accusation, calling it an 'absolute lie.'

Queen of Martyrs Elementary School has appointed Beth Guerrero as its new principal to lead efforts in implementing new hiring and safety protocols following a scandal involving substitute teacher Brett Smith, who has a history of child molestation convictions. A lawsuit alleges Smith inappropriately touched a student and that the Archdiocese of Chicago failed to disclose credible evidence of his past allegations.