Chicago—A retired priest from India who served at multiple parishes in Chicago and suburban Illinois has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that allegedly occurred approximately 60 years ago in India. Rev.
Denis Manuel Carneiro, a priest of the Archdiocese of Bhopal, was a resident at four locations in the Chicago area between 1972 and 2013, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, announced the action on Saturday in letters sent to affected parish communities.
Key Facts
• Rev. Denis Manuel Carneiro served as associate pastor at St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove for more than 15 years, as well as at Our Lady of the Rosary in Chicago, Holy Family Parish in Inverness, and as chaplain at Ascension St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates from 1999 to 2002
• The alleged sexual abuse of a minor took place approximately 60 years ago in India, not in Chicago or Illinois, making this a historical case from the Archdiocese of Bhopal's jurisdiction
• Cardinal Cupich has withdrawn Father Carneiro's ministerial faculties and directed him to live away from parish premises; the Archdiocese of Bhopal is conducting the official investigation and civil authorities have been notified
The allegations emerged through a formal complaint filed with the Archdiocese of Chicago regarding conduct that allegedly occurred in India decades ago. Upon receiving the complaint, Cardinal Cupich took immediate action to protect parishioners and ensure proper protocols were followed.
The priest has strenuously denied the allegations but has complied with all directives from the Archdiocese.
Father Carneiro's removal from active ministry marks another significant case within the Catholic Church's ongoing accountability measures regarding historical abuse allegations. The decision to withdraw his ministerial faculties reflects the Archdiocese's commitment to its child protection policies, even when allegations involve events that occurred outside the United States.
This action underscores how the Church continues to address misconduct regardless of when or where it allegedly took place.
The Archdiocese of Bhopal, which has primary responsibility for investigating the allegations, will conduct a thorough review of the claims. Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Chicago has reached out to the person making the allegation and reported the matter to civil authorities as required by their child protection policies.
Both dioceses are cooperating to ensure a proper investigation.
Parish communities at all affected locations—Our Lady of the Rosary, Holy Family, and St. Mary—received official letters from Cardinal Cupich explaining the situation and the steps being taken.
The transparency reflects the Church's shift toward greater openness in handling abuse allegations following decades of scandals. Parishioners were assured that the welfare of children remains the paramount concern.
Cardinal Blase Cupich emphasized in his statement:
The Archdiocese of Chicago continues to encourage anyone who believes they may have been abused to report it through its official channels at www. archchicago.
org. The case highlights how the Church's accountability mechanisms now extend to investigating historical allegations, even those occurring decades ago in other countries.
Readers should monitor developments as both the Archdiocese of Bhopal and civil authorities in India proceed with their investigations.
Do You Know?
The Archdiocese of Chicago has documented protocols specifically requiring dioceses to investigate allegations of abuse regardless of when the alleged misconduct occurred, demonstrating a significant shift from historical practices when many cases were ignored or concealed for decades.
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