Jump to content

George Clements

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Father George Clements
Fr. George H. Clements giving Holy Communion, 1973. Photo by John H. White.
Born
George Harold Clements

(1932-01-26)January 26, 1932
DiedNovember 25, 2019(2019-11-25) (aged 87)
Occupation(s)Roman Catholic priest, activist
Years active1957–2019
ChildrenJoey, Friday, Stewart, Saint Anthony[1]

George Harold Clements (January 26, 1932 – November 25, 2019) was an American Roman Catholic priest. In 1981, became the first Catholic priest in the Chicago area to adopt a child.[2]

In June 1969, Father Clements became the first black pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church on the South Side of Chicago.[3] He was also well known for his involvement in civil rights activities in the 1960s.[3]

In August 2019, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich asked Clements resign from ministry, while the Church investigates allegations that he sexually abused a minor in 1974.[4][5][6][7]

Clements suffered a stroke on October 12, 2019.[8] He died on November 25, 2019 at a hospital in Hammond, Indiana from a heart attack caused by the stroke, aged 87.[9][8]

References[change | change source]

  1. Ritz, M.K. (2006, January 14). Priest to talk about adoption
  2. Father george clements. (n.d.)
  3. 3.0 3.1 [1] Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Richardson, J. (2003, April 23). The historymakers® video oral history interview with george clements. Retrieved from http://www.thehistorymakers.com/programs/dvl/files/Clements_Georgef.html Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Prominent Chicago priest accused in 1974 child sex assault Archived 2019-08-10 at the Wayback Machine", Associated Press. WSIL-TV. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  5. "Archdiocese Probes 45-Year-Old Sex Abuse Claim Against Fr. George Clements, Renowned Chicago Priest", CBS 2 Chicago. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  6. "Prominent Chicago priest accused in 1974 child sex assault", WGN-TV. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  7. "Retired Chicago Priest Under Investigation for Alleged Sexual Abuse in 1970s", NBC 5 Chicago. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Rev. George Clements has died; famed Holy Angels pastor was advocate for civil rights and adoption". The Chicago Sun-Times. November 25, 2019.
  9. "Retired Chicago priest, Civil Rights activist Father George Clements dies at 87". ABC7 Chicago. November 25, 2019.