Jeff Anderson, an attorney for victims of sexual abuse by clergy, is joined by abuse victim Joe Iacono as he speaks during a press conference in Chicago, Sept. 17, 2019. (AP Photo / Teresa Crawford)

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has paid $80 million to victims of sexual abuse by clergy represented by a single law firm alone since 2000, the Minnesota-based attorney who heads the firm told reporters.

This undated shows the Rev. Augustine Tolton. Pope Francis has positioned for sainthood a former slave and the first known black priest in America. (Photo courtesy the Diocese of Springfield via AP)

Pope Francis on Wednesday deemed the Rev. Augustine Tolton, the first known black Roman Catholic priest in the United States, to be “venerable,” positioning the former slave for possible sainthood.

(Peter Griffin / Publicdomainpictures.net)

The Rev. John Smyth has been removed from the Archdiocese of Chicago’s ministry while it investigates accusations of sexual abuse against the longtime priest. 

Loyola University Chicago (hearkencreative / Flickr)

With current enrollment of just 20 students and a small incoming class projected, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced it will close St. Joseph College Seminary. 

Pope Francis elevated Blase Cupich, along with 16 other archbishops, to the College of Cardinals on Saturday. But that’s not the only news the pope made. 

Archbishop Blase Cupich is going to Rome, where he’ll be elevated to cardinal in a special ceremony next month. 

Archbishop Blase Cupich

Faced with major, ongoing financial pressure, the Archdiocese of Chicago is looking hard at its mission and membership. Archbishop Blase Cupich talks about the Chicago Catholic Church's money woes and how it might reorganize and revitalize itself.

Cardinal Francis George has died at age 78 after years of battling cancer. Chicago Tonight looks back on his life and career.

Archbishop Blase Cupich talks about his surprise appointment by Pope Francis, how he intends to reverse the decline in Catholics attending mass, and what the church is doing to rebuild trust broken by priest sexual abuse scandals.

The Archdiocese of Chicago released approximately 15,000 pages of documents related to 36 Archdiocesan priests with substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. 

Approaching his last days as the leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George announces that low enrollment and limited budgets mean tough choices. The school system is closing seven schools, and consolidating six others.

Over the years, the Archdiocese of Chicago has lost a number of its church buildings to the wrecking ball. But a few that were slated for demolition managed to survive. Among them is the Shrine of Christ the King on Chicago's south side. View a slideshow.

If you think you know the Catholic church, think again. A groundbreaking PBS series called Catholicism begins tonight, here on Channel 11. We have a preview.

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