Archdiocese of Chicago offers a means for inquiring about possible abusers

An online form requesting information about any diocesan priest — past or present — may be submitted through the archdiocese’s Web site, www.archdiocese-chgo.org, and archdiocesan officials say they will respond, in writing, within two weeks.

The online inquiry, which is available in English, Spanish and Polish, requires the person seeking information to provide their name and address. The form also asks for a reason for the inquiry, but does not require one to be given as a condition of processing the request.

The Web-based inquiry process differs greatly from what archdiocesan Chancellor Jimmy Lago said last fall church officials were hoping to provide. At a press conference last September, Lago said he thought the archdiocese would have an online searchable database much like that of the state’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.