George Clements
George Clements | |
|---|---|
Fr. George H. Clements giving Holy Communion, 1973. Photo by John H. White. | |
| Born | George Harold Clements January 26, 1932 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 25, 2019 (aged 87) Hammond, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Roman Catholic priest, activist |
| Years active | 1957–2019 |
| Children | 4 (adopted) |
George Harold Clements (January 26, 1932 – November 25, 2019) was a Black Catholic priest who, in 1981, became the first Catholic priest in the Chicago area to adopt a child. He was also instrumental in the Black Catholic Movement, which sought to establish African-American culture in the liturgical and organizational life of the Catholic Church.
In June 1969, Clements became the second Black Catholic priest in Chicago, and was well known for his involvement in civil rights activities from that point onward.
He was accused of sexual abuse in 2019, and was partially cleared that same year, shortly before his death.