A former Chicago priest accused of molesting children has accused newly elected Pope Leo XIV of allowing him to live near a school despite known abuse allegations.

James M. Ray, a defrocked priest accused of sexually abusing at least 13 children, alleges Pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert Prevost—approved his stay at a monastery near an elementary school, bringing new attention to the pope’s past handling of abuse cases, the Daily Mail reported.

Ray served as a priest under “limited ministry with restrictions” for over a decade after allegations of child sexual abuse first surfaced in 1990. In 2000, facing displacement from a residence being torn down, Ray sought new housing with the help of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He ultimately ended up living at the St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park, one block from St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School and close to a child care center.

According to Ray, Robert Prevost—then head of the Augustinian order’s Midwest Province—approved this arrangement. The Augustinians were reportedly the only order that responded to calls from the archdiocese to assist in relocating Ray. "He's the one who gave me permission to stay there," Ray said, referring to Prevost’s role in the decision.

The monastery stay lasted two years and raised no alarms with either the school or the nearby child center, as neither was informed about Ray’s history. At the time, internal Church documents indicated that Ray was to be closely monitored by Rev. James Thompson, a member of the Augustinian order who has since died.

Attorney Disputes Priest's Allegations

Michael Airdo, an attorney representing the Augustinians, disputed Ray's version of events. He argued that then-Provincial Prevost merely signed off on a guest stay at standard rates, and that the authority for accepting new residents lay with Thompson, not Prevost. "[Thompson] had exclusive control over the acceptance of any new residents," Airdo noted.

Ray, however, maintains that paperwork and communication support his claim. "That’s what the paperwork said, and I think Jim said," he noted, referencing Thompson’s apparent acknowledgment of Prevost’s involvement. Church officials at the time said Ray did not pose a danger because he was being closely supervised.

Ray was finally removed from public ministry in 2002, after new guidelines were established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops requiring stricter safeguards around clergy accused of abuse. He was formally defrocked by the Catholic Church in 2012.

Pope’s Record Under Scrutiny Again

In May 2025, Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, bringing renewed focus to his record on clerical abuse. From 2014 to 2023, he served as the head of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. During that time, he faced criticism for not formally investigating abuse allegations involving two priests.

According to reports, Prevost met with accusers in April 2022 and encouraged them to bring their complaints to civil authorities. No Church-initiated action followed, due to insufficient evidence and the expiration of legal deadlines. This perceived inaction has generated backlash among victim advocacy groups.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests took steps to alert all 135 cardinals voting in the 2025 conclave about Prevost’s history. "This person will be scrutinized from left to right," said national vice president Lopez de Casas, who added that public attention could ultimately help more victims come forward.

Contradictions Between Words and Decisions

Despite past inaction, Pope Leo XIV has publicly advocated for transparency. In a 2023 interview with Vatican Media, he said, “Silence is not the solution,” underscoring the importance of honesty in abuse cases. "We must be transparent and honest, because otherwise their wounds will never heal," he added.

Ray, whose record includes abuse against children ranging from ages 10 to 18, as well as an incident in which he admitted to sexually touching a paraplegic adult in 1993, continues to maintain a sense of personal faith. “I felt abandoned by the Church, but never felt abandoned by God. My faith is still strong. I live out my life each day the best I can,” he said in an interview.

He also expressed emotion about the past allegations. “There’s a pain in my chest,” he said when discussing recurring questions about his actions. Although he acknowledged wrongdoing, he sought to diminish its impact, saying a particular incident “was a young adult, over 20” and calling it “a 1 or maybe a half” on a scale of seriousness.

Papal Election Puts Past Into Focus

James M. Ray’s comments about the new pope were surprisingly positive, despite the circumstances. He said that Pope Leo XIV's ordination has “very positive vibes” and did not express bitterness. Still, his allegations have again placed Church decisions under a microscope.

The 2023 Illinois Attorney General’s report stated definitively that Ray had sexually abused at least 13 children. Church documents describe in detail multiple incidents of abuse involving inappropriate touching and coercive sexual behavior.

As public scrutiny of Pope Leo XIV continues, both his past decisions and his current leadership will likely remain central in continuing global conversations about accountability and reform within the Catholic Church. Advocacy groups and survivors are expected to closely monitor his actions from the Vatican.