FATHER JAMES RAY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS
GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse by Father James Ray in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Speak with our team in a free, confidential consultation about your legal options. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES
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THE CASE — BACKGROUND
Father James Ray
Father James M. Ray was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1975. He served at St. Anastasia Parish in Waukegan (1975–1982), St. Peter Damian Parish in Bartlett (1982–1989), and Transfiguration Parish in Wauconda (1989–1991). He resigned in 2009 and was laicized in January 2012.
Legal Help For Survivors
WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE ABUSED BY
CLERGY IN ILLINOIS?
ALLEGATIONS & TIMELINE
What the Records Show
- In May 2023, the Illinois Attorney General’s Report identified Ray among credibly accused clergy in the Archdiocese of Chicago, noting 13 reported survivors with alleged abuse from 1974 through 1991 across Waukegan, Chicago, and Wauconda.
- In 2020, a civil lawsuit alleged Ray subjected a boy to sexual abuse, sexual torture, and molestation between 1983 and 1987 while he was assigned to St. Peter Damian Parish in Bartlett.
- In November 2014, the Archdiocese released Ray’s full personnel file under court order. Documents revealed that Ray allegedly sexually abused two boys, starting when they were ages 10 and 11, while at St. Anastasia in Waukegan. The boys reportedly stayed overnight at the rectory.
Legal Claims
What GGH Law Is Investigating
GGH Law is investigating civil claims on behalf of survivors. The following claims are central to the investigation.
Clergy Sexual Abuse
Father Ray allegedly sexually abused at least 13 boys across three parish assignments in Waukegan, Bartlett, and Wauconda, beginning as early as 1974.
Negligent Supervision & Retention
The Archdiocese received complaints as early as 1990, placed Ray on restrictions, yet continued to allow him access to minors.
Failure to Warn
The Archdiocese placed Ray in a residence two minutes from an elementary school without notifying the school that a priest with substantiated abuse allegations lived nearby.
Institutional Cover-Up
Ray’s full personnel files were released only under court order in 2014, decades after the alleged abuse began.
Named Defendants
Who Is Being Investigated
Father James M. Ray
Ordained 1975, Archdiocese of Chicago. Served at three parishes across northeastern Illinois. Illinois AG’s 2023 Report: 13 reported survivors. Laicized January 2012.
Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese placed Ray on restricted ministry with monitoring as early as 1990, removed him from public ministry in 2002, and added him to its substantiated allegations list in 2006. Personnel files were released in 2014 under court order.
Your Attorneys
GGH Is Fighting for Families Like Yours
If you or someone you love was harmed due to negligence at a Catholic parish, school, or other Diocese-affiliated institution in Illinois, you may have legal options. GGH Law represents survivors in civil cases involving negligence, failure to supervise, and failure to disclose incidents of alleged abuse or harm.
Institutions have a legal duty to protect those in their care. When they fail to properly screen clergy, ignore warning signs, or conceal incidents of harm, they can be held accountable. The same applies to the Diocese itself — when a central authority oversees a network of parishes and schools, it also shares responsibility for ensuring those locations are safe.
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You only pay if we secure compensation.
Questions Survivors Are Asking
Frequently Asked Questions
THE GGH ADVANDAGE