Seven adults have filed civil lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Chicago, alleging they were sexually abused as children by priests connected to the former Holy Angels church in Bronzeville. The suits were filed Tuesday, Oct. 13, in Cook County Circuit Court. The allegations concern events spanning 1969 to 2002. The lawsuits focus on four priests, all of whom have died. None was criminally charged, according to the report. One was the Rev. George Clements, a prominent Black priest regarded by many African American Catholics as a civil rights figure. The plaintiffs accuse the archdiocese of failing to protect them. Attorneys with Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge said they had spent hundreds of hours researching the claims and interviewing survivors. They said additional clients—potentially dozens—are expected to file lawsuits in the coming days. Attorney Steven Hart said some of the children described in the cases were as young as 5. He characterized the allegations as a long-running betrayal of children entrusted to the church. The Archdiocese of Chicago said it does not comment on lawsuits. Angela Walker of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests called for church leaders to be held accountable and victims to be compensated. The attorneys said they believe other people may have been abused and hope they will come forward.