Fr. John W. Calicott
Ordained: 1974
- 1973: Deacon- St. Leo Parish, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1974: Ordained
- 1974-1980: St. Ailbe, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1980-1991: Holy Name of Mary, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1991- 1994: Holy Angels, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 1994-1995: Administrative Leave
- 1995-2004: Holy Angels, Chicago, IL (CHI)
- 2004-2009: Cardinal Stritch Retreat House, Mundelein Seminary, Chicago, IL
- 2009: Laicized
- 2010-2019: Unknown
Fr. John W. Calicott was pastor of Holy Angels Parish, then the largest African-American Catholic elementary school in the nation. He also worked on the Archdiocese Clergy Review Board, where he was charged with monitoring and guiding other priests, including priests accused of sexually abusing minors. In the early 1990s, multiple survivors reported to the Archdiocese of Chicago that they were sexually abused as minors by Fr. Calicott. Parents also complained that Fr. Calicott was giving elementary school children “explicit” sex education classes. Fr. Calicott was placed on a short leave and reassigned. Soon after he was reassigned, Fr. Calicott was caught locking himself in a room with a child. In spite of Fr. Calicott’s record, Cardinal Francis George kept Fr. Calicott in ministry, without restriction and without warning the community. Fr. Calicott has been accused of sexually abusing at least four boys. Fr. Calicott is included in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s list of “Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors.” Fr. Calicott was laicized in 2009 and was believed to be residing in Country Club Hills as of 2010. His whereabouts and whether he has had access to children since he was laicized in 2009 are unknown.
For more than a decade, Archdiocese of Chicago officials knew that the former pastor at the nation’s largest African-American Catholic elementary school was sexually abusing kids. But it took the 2002 Charter and additional four years to finally get the priest out of ministry and away from a parish Boy Scout troop.
Prominent priest Fr. John Calicott was pastor of Holy Angels parish, known for its large and thriving school for African-American children. He also worked on the Archdiocese Clergy Review Board, where he was charged with monitoring and guiding the careers of other priests.
The Archdiocese of Chicago first received complaints about Fr. John Calicott in 1993, 20 years after his ordination. During the next year, two more victims with credible allegations came forward. At the same time, parents at Holy Name of Mary Parish began to complain that the priest was giving children “explicit” sex education classes.
After placing Calicott on a short leave, Cardinal George assigned Calicott to Holy Angels parish in 1995. Soon after, Calicott was caught locking himself in a room with a child. No action was taken by the Archdiocese.
By 1998, documents report that George had received “new information” about Calicott. Calicott’s monitor also told the Archdiocese that the priest was spending a great deal of time with the parish Boy Scout Troop and going on camping trips with the boys. Despite this, George kept Calicott in ministry with no new restrictions and without warning parishioners or families.
In response to the 2002 Charter, George placed Calicott on leave. But Calicott was back at Holy Angels in 2004 and teaching sex education to children at the parish. Although George had forwarded Calicott’s case to the Vatican, Calicott was working with Boy Scouts at Holy Angeles and a local Baptist church as late as 2006.
Calicott was laicized in 2008 and now lives in Country Club Hills, IL. He has been accused of molesting at least four boys.
FR. JOHN W. CALICOTT DOCUMENTS
FR. JOHN W. CALICOTT TIMELINE
TIMELINE OF DOCUMENTS
6/25/1973 – Deacon, St. Leo Parish
5/8/1974 Ordained
1974 – Associate Pastor, St. Ailbe (parish school had approx. 284 children)
9/18/1974 Appointed to help with vocational work at Quigley South (AOC 09729)
1980 – Associate Pastor, Holy Name of Mary (parish school had approx. 306 children)
9/28/1987 Appointed to Clergy Personnel Board (AOC 09734)
9/9/1991 – Pastor, Holy Angels (parish school had approx. 1,300 children)
3/29/1993 Calicott received call from the man who brought allegations against him (AOC 09753)
3/31/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, AOC 09758)
4/5/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, 09775)
04/08/1994 On Administrative Leave at Cardinal Strich Retreat House (AOC 09787)
04/15/1994 Parents complain that Calicott was too explicit in teaching sex education classes at Holy Name of Mary. (AOC 09850)
11/1994 Residing at Koenig Hall, Mundelin (AOC 010501)
8/12/1995 Review Board recommends Calicott be permitted to return as Pastor of Holy Angels with conditions. (AOC 010532-010537)
10/11/1995 Returned to Ministry (AOC 09696)
10/23/1995 Report that Calicott locked himself in room with child (AOC 010680)
7/19/1997 Review board notifies Cardinal George that Calicott has violated his protocol (AOC 010821)
1/27/1998 Cardinal George learns information which raises new questions about whether children are at risk. (AOC 010865)
5/14/1998 Calicott’s monitor at Holy Angels reports that Calicott assists with the scouts though he is not listed as scoutmaster, goes on scouting trips but is never alone with the scouts. (AOC 010882)
5/16/1998 Review board split on whether Calicott is a risk to children. (AOC 010888)
11/3/1999 George accepts Review Board recommendation that Calicott continue as pastor. (AOC 010973, 010975)
11/26/2001 Monitoring program includes detail of internet activities. (AOC 011026)
6/25/2002 George wrote to Calicott withdrawing him temporarily from ministry based on Dallas Charter and moving them immediately under obedience to Koenig Hall, Mundelin. (AOC 011088, 011091-2)
7/31/2003 George forwards case to CDF (AOC 011267)
1/21/2004 Calicott teaching sex education at Holy Angels.
3/9/2004 Lawsuit filed on behalf of another victim of Calicott at St. Ailbe’s (AOC 011390)
4/17/2004 – At Cardinal Stritch Retreat House
11/1/2004 Letter from victim re: sexual abuse by Calicott at St. Albie’s in 1980. (AOC 011444, 11558)
12/10/2004 Letter from George to Calicott that term of office as pastor of Holy Angels has expired. (AOC 011467)
2/4/2005 Calicott salary reduced by 10 % due to two violations since removal from public ministry (AOC 011504)
3/13/2006 Report from Holy Angels School that Calicott is working with the Boy Scouts at the rectory and in the neighboring Baptist church and took the boys on field trips and was at the last meeting. (AOC 011690)
3/24/2006 Calicott salary reduced by 50% due to violations since removal from public ministry and advised that AD will consider sending him to a more restricted facility if he violates again. (AOC 011711)
2/16/2008 Calicottt found guilty in canonical trial and was dismissed from lay state. He is appealing to CDF. (AOC 011789)
10/30/2009 Laicized
5/18/2010 Allegation received from man who was sexually abused by Calicott at St. Albie’s. (AOC 011914)
“FATHER JOHN W. CALICOTT
For more than a decade, Archdiocese of Chicago officials knew that the former pastor at the nation’s largest African-American Catholic elementary school was sexually abusing kids. But it took the 2002 Charter and additional four years to finally get the priest out of ministry and away from a parish Boy Scout troop.
Prominent priest Fr. John Calicott was pastor of Holy Angels parish, known for its large and thriving school for African-American children. He also worked on the Archdiocese Clergy Review Board, where he was charged with monitoring and guiding the careers of other priests.
The Archdiocese of Chicago first received complaints about Fr. John Calicott in 1993, 20 years after his ordination. During the next year, two more victims with credible allegations came forward. At the same time, parents at Holy Name of Mary Parish began to complain that the priest was giving children “explicit” sex education classes.
After placing Calicott on a short leave, Cardinal George assigned Calicott to Holy Angels parish in 1995. Soon after, Calicott was caught locking himself in a room with a child. No action was taken by the Archdiocese.
By 1998, documents report that George had received “new information” about Calicott. Calicott’s monitor also told the Archdiocese that the priest was spending a great deal of time with the parish Boy Scout Troop and going on camping trips with the boys. Despite this, George kept Calicott in ministry with no new restrictions and without warning parishioners or families.
In response to the 2002 Charter, George placed Calicott on leave. But Calicott was back at Holy Angels in 2004 and teaching sex education to children at the parish. Although George had forwarded Calicott’s case to the Vatican, Calicott was working with Boy Scouts at Holy Angeles and a local Baptist church as late as 2006.
Calicott was laicized in 2008 and now lives in Country Club Hills, IL. He has been accused of molesting at least four boys.
TIMELINE OF DOCUMENTS
6/25/1973 – Deacon, St. Leo Parish
5/8/1974 Ordained
1974 – Associate Pastor, St. Ailbe (parish school had approx. 284 children)
9/18/1974 Appointed to help with vocational work at Quigley South (AOC 09729)
1980 – Associate Pastor, Holy Name of Mary (parish school had approx. 306 children)
9/28/1987 Appointed to Clergy Personnel Board (AOC 09734)
9/9/1991 – Pastor, Holy Angels (parish school had approx. 1,300 children)
3/29/1993 Calicott received call from the man who brought allegations against him (AOC 09753)
3/31/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, AOC 09758)
4/5/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, 09775)
04/08/1994 On Administrative Leave at Cardinal Strich Retreat House (AOC 09787)
04/15/1994 Parents complain that Calicott was too explicit in teaching sex education classes at Holy Name of Mary. (AOC 09850)
11/1994 Residing at Koenig Hall, Mundelin (AOC 010501)
8/12/1995 Review Board recommends Calicott be permitted to return as Pastor of Holy Angels with conditions. (AOC 010532-010537)
10/11/1995 Returned to Ministry (AOC 09696)
10/23/1995 Report that Calicott locked himself in room with child (AOC 010680)
7/19/1997 Review board notifies Cardinal George that Calicott has violated his protocol (AOC 010821)
1/27/1998 Cardinal George learns information which raises new questions about whether children are at risk. (AOC 010865)
5/14/1998 Calicott’s monitor at Holy Angels reports that Calicott assists with the scouts though he is not listed as scoutmaster, goes on scouting trips but is never alone with the scouts. (AOC 010882)
5/16/1998 Review board split on whether Calicott is a risk to children. (AOC 010888)
11/3/1999 George accepts Review Board recommendation that Calicott continue as pastor. (AOC 010973, 010975)
11/26/2001 Monitoring program includes detail of internet activities. (AOC 011026)
6/25/2002 George wrote to Calicott withdrawing him temporarily from ministry based on Dallas Charter and moving them immediately under obedience to Koenig Hall, Mundelin. (AOC 011088, 011091-2)
7/31/2003 George forwards case to CDF (AOC 011267)
1/21/2004 Calicott teaching sex education at Holy Angels.
3/9/2004 Lawsuit filed on behalf of another victim of Calicott at St. Ailbe’s (AOC 011390)
4/17/2004 – At Cardinal Stritch Retreat House
11/1/2004 Letter from victim re: sexual abuse by Calicott at St. Albie’s in 1980. (AOC 011444, 11558)
12/10/2004 Letter from George to Calicott that term of office as pastor of Holy Angels has expired. (AOC 011467)
2/4/2005 Calicott salary reduced by 10 % due to two violations since removal from public ministry (AOC 011504)
3/13/2006 Report from Holy Angels School that Calicott is working with the Boy Scouts at the rectory and in the neighboring Baptist church and took the boys on field trips and was at the last meeting. (AOC 011690)
3/24/2006 Calicott salary reduced by 50% due to violations since removal from public ministry and advised that AD will consider sending him to a more restricted facility if he violates again. (AOC 011711)
2/16/2008 Calicottt found guilty in canonical trial and was dismissed from lay state. He is appealing to CDF. (AOC 011789)
10/30/2009 Laicized
5/18/2010 Allegation received from man who was sexually abused by Calicott at St. Albie’s. (AOC 011914)
“FATHER JOHN W. CALICOTT
For more than a decade, Archdiocese of Chicago officials knew that the former pastor at the nation’s largest African-American Catholic elementary school was sexually abusing kids. But it took the 2002 Charter and additional four years to finally get the priest out of ministry and away from a parish Boy Scout troop.
Prominent priest Fr. John Calicott was pastor of Holy Angels parish, known for its large and thriving school for African-American children. He also worked on the Archdiocese Clergy Review Board, where he was charged with monitoring and guiding the careers of other priests.
The Archdiocese of Chicago first received complaints about Fr. John Calicott in 1993, 20 years after his ordination. During the next year, two more victims with credible allegations came forward. At the same time, parents at Holy Name of Mary Parish began to complain that the priest was giving children “explicit” sex education classes.
After placing Calicott on a short leave, Cardinal George assigned Calicott to Holy Angels parish in 1995. Soon after, Calicott was caught locking himself in a room with a child. No action was taken by the Archdiocese.
By 1998, documents report that George had received “new information” about Calicott. Calicott’s monitor also told the Archdiocese that the priest was spending a great deal of time with the parish Boy Scout Troop and going on camping trips with the boys. Despite this, George kept Calicott in ministry with no new restrictions and without warning parishioners or families.
In response to the 2002 Charter, George placed Calicott on leave. But Calicott was back at Holy Angels in 2004 and teaching sex education to children at the parish. Although George had forwarded Calicott’s case to the Vatican, Calicott was working with Boy Scouts at Holy Angeles and a local Baptist church as late as 2006.
Calicott was laicized in 2008 and now lives in Country Club Hills, IL. He has been accused of molesting at least four boys.
TIMELINE OF DOCUMENTS
6/25/1973 – Deacon, St. Leo Parish
5/8/1974 Ordained
1974 – Associate Pastor, St. Ailbe (parish school had approx. 284 children)
9/18/1974 Appointed to help with vocational work at Quigley South (AOC 09729)
1980 – Associate Pastor, Holy Name of Mary (parish school had approx. 306 children)
9/28/1987 Appointed to Clergy Personnel Board (AOC 09734)
9/9/1991 – Pastor, Holy Angels (parish school had approx. 1,300 children)
3/29/1993 Calicott received call from the man who brought allegations against him (AOC 09753)
3/31/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, AOC 09758)
4/5/1994 Credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in 1975 (AOC 009690, 09775)
04/08/1994 On Administrative Leave at Cardinal Strich Retreat House (AOC 09787)
04/15/1994 Parents complain that Calicott was too explicit in teaching sex education classes at Holy Name of Mary. (AOC 09850)
11/1994 Residing at Koenig Hall, Mundelin (AOC 010501)
8/12/1995 Review Board recommends Calicott be permitted to return as Pastor of Holy Angels with conditions. (AOC 010532-010537)
10/11/1995 Returned to Ministry (AOC 09696)
10/23/1995 Report that Calicott locked himself in room with child (AOC 010680)
7/19/1997 Review board notifies Cardinal George that Calicott has violated his protocol (AOC 010821)
1/27/1998 Cardinal George learns information which raises new questions about whether children are at risk. (AOC 010865)
5/14/1998 Calicott’s monitor at Holy Angels reports that Calicott assists with the scouts though he is not listed as scoutmaster, goes on scouting trips but is never alone with the scouts. (AOC 010882)
5/16/1998 Review board split on whether Calicott is a risk to children. (AOC 010888)
11/3/1999 George accepts Review Board recommendation that Calicott continue as pastor. (AOC 010973, 010975)
11/26/2001 Monitoring program includes detail of internet activities. (AOC 011026)
6/25/2002 George wrote to Calicott withdrawing him temporarily from ministry based on Dallas Charter and moving them immediately under obedience to Koenig Hall, Mundelin. (AOC 011088, 011091-2)
7/31/2003 George forwards case to CDF (AOC 011267)
1/21/2004 Calicott teaching sex education at Holy Angels.
3/9/2004 Lawsuit filed on behalf of another victim of Calicott at St. Ailbe’s (AOC 011390)
4/17/2004 – At Cardinal Stritch Retreat House
11/1/2004 Letter from victim re: sexual abuse by Calicott at St. Albie’s in 1980. (AOC 011444, 11558)
12/10/2004 Letter from George to Calicott that term of office as pastor of Holy Angels has expired. (AOC 011467)
2/4/2005 Calicott salary reduced by 10 % due to two violations since removal from public ministry (AOC 011504)
3/13/2006 Report from Holy Angels School that Calicott is working with the Boy Scouts at the rectory and in the neighboring Baptist church and took the boys on field trips and was at the last meeting. (AOC 011690)
3/24/2006 Calicott salary reduced by 50% due to violations since removal from public ministry and advised that AD will consider sending him to a more restricted facility if he violates again. (AOC 011711)
2/16/2008 Calicottt found guilty in canonical trial and was dismissed from lay state. He is appealing to CDF. (AOC 011789)
10/30/2009 Laicized
5/18/2010 Allegation received from man who was sexually abused by Calicott at St. Albie’s. (AOC 011914)