The sexual abuse, which allegedly took place 20 to 30 years ago in all of the cases
That would be between 1975 and 1985, when the big wave of publicity hit. I know that our archdiocese cracked down big time on the problem around 1987 or 1988 when the worst offender here was accused and immediately disappeared. He was located overseas, extradicted, and brought back to trial and conviction. He served hard time in the GA prison system - IIRC 20 to serve 10. There was a particular parish involved that was discovered to be something of a haven for homosexuals (another homosexual priest helped this priest flee the country). Of course this was all over the newspapers at the time, but sunlight was a good fumigant. The recent audit of this archdiocese shows no ongoing problems.
**The statue of limitations has expired in all the cases, spokesmen for the Cook and Lake County state's attorneys' offices said.**
I still give Cardinal George kudos.