A defrocked Catholic priest, James M. Ray, has come forward with fresh accusations against Pope Leo XIV, claiming the pontiff overlooked earlier warnings about child abuse within the church. The revelations have reignited debate about Leo XIV’s leadership, particularly his track record on abuse cases both in the United States and abroad.
Ray, who stands accused of molesting at least 13 minors, alleged that the pope — known then as Robert Prevost — approved his relocation to a Hyde Park monastery in Chicago despite the existing abuse allegations against him. According to Chicago Tribune, the monastery was situated dangerously close to both a Catholic elementary school and a child care center, yet those institutions were reportedly never informed of Ray’s presence.
In a conversation with the Chicago Sun-Times, Ray remarked, “He’s the one who gave me permission to stay there.” He further claimed that this decision was backed by documentation and recommendations from other church officials.
Legal and Church Records Paint a Disturbing History
Church documents reveal that Ray remained at the monastery for two years before new policies from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops enforced stricter guidelines separating accused clergy from children. In 2002, Ray was officially barred from public ministry following widespread media investigations, including The Boston Globe’s explosive reporting on clerical abuse. A decade later, in 2012, he was formally defrocked.
Reflecting on his experience, Ray confessed, “I felt abandoned by the Church, but never felt abandoned by God.” He added, “My faith is still strong. I live out my life each day the best I can,” though he admitted, “there’s a pain in my chest,” whenever discussions about his past resurface.
Church files also confirm that Ray confessed to inappropriate behavior, including an incident during a 1993 religious visit to Medjugorje, a pilgrimage site known for Marian apparitions. A 2023 report from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office identified at least 13 victims ranging in age from 10 to 18.
According to official records, “Additionally, as indicated below, there appears to have been an additional three named males that Jim Ray may have masturbated.” The report notes a pattern in Ray’s alleged abuse, stating: “The common theme within these three formal allegations of sexual abuse was that Jim Ray became close to their families… Then Jim Ray physically touched them inappropriately by having them sit on his lap, which over time led to him giving them back rubs that eventually went lower.”
The victims reportedly described similar experiences, with each stating that during these interactions, “they felt his (Jim Ray’s) erect penis.” The encounters escalated, allegedly leading to mutual masturbation.
Pope Leo XIV’s Handling of Cases Abroad Under Fresh Scrutiny
These claims against the pope stretch beyond Chicago. Leo XIV, who served as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2014 to 2023, has faced previous criticism for his handling of abuse cases there as well. Victims alleged that evidence against two priests was minimized and prevented from being sent to the Vatican for official review.
In response to past criticisms, Prevost told Vatican Media in a 2023 interview: “Silence is not the solution… We must be transparent and honest, because otherwise their wounds will never heal.”
Meanwhile, Ray, reflecting on his own actions, admitted: “I can’t change the past. I don’t necessarily want to defend myself either. But on a scale of 1 to 10, I was wrong, but it was a 1 or maybe a half even.”
