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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND MEMORY OF ROBERT McCLORY
WHEREAS, groundbreaking journalist, writer, former Catholic priest and award winning journalism professor, Robert McClory died at the age of 82 leaving behind countless students, friends, family and a community profoundly enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory was born in Chicago and grew up on the Southwest Side. After graduating from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary he attended the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, where he earned bachelors and master's degrees as well as a licentiate of sacred theology; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest and began his life as a priest in Winnetka. He later became an associate pastor at Saint Sabina on the South Side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, while at Saint Sabina, Robert McClory met Sister Margaret McComish, the parish school's new principal; the two immediately formed a strong bond, a bond that would dramatically change the trajectory of both of their lives and bring them immeasurable happiness. After the church released the two from their Catholic vows, Robert and Margaret married and later had a daughter, Jennifer; and
WHEREAS, after changing his focus from the priesthood to journalism, Robert McClory attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism; and
WHEREAS, later, Robert McClory taught journalism full-time. He was a treasured professor and was chosen to judge countless journalism competitions. Robert McClory’s teaching was singled out for distinction when he was given the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Northwestern University Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, McClory was a prolific writer. He freelanced for many publications, including the Chicago Reader, Chicago Magazine, U.S. Catholic, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Catholic Digest, Student Lawyer, Illinois Times and Chicago Lawyer. His book "As It Was in the Beginning: The Coming Democratization of the Catholic Church" won an award from the Catholic Press Association. For over twenty-two years he was an esteemed contributor to the National Catholic Reporter; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory was a tireless supporter of racial equality. As a reporter for the Chicago Daily Defender he covered the racial tension that was and is the City of Chicago. The subject of race relations and the Catholic Church was a common theme in nearly all of the nine books he authored. His first novel, The Man Who Beat Clout City featured the struggle of an African American cop taking on the Chicago political machine. He later wrote a book about Saint Sabina's outspoken pastor, his long-time friend Reverend. Michael Pfleger, entitled, "Radical Disciple: Father Pfleger, St. Sabina Church and the Fight for Social Justice."; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory was also a playwright, he co-wrote a play entitled "Haunted by God: The Life of Dorothy Day," about the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory will long be remembered as a tireless iconoclast. His was an often dissenting voice in the Catholic Church, challenging the papal birth control commission and the church's doctrine of infallibility. He was a frequent and respectful critical of the church he once served; and
WHEREAS, a strong supporter of the Second Vatican Council, Robert McClory was dedicated to church reform, he founded the Catholic Chicago-based reform group Call to Action which grew into a national movement of Catholics focused on justice and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Robert McClory’ s loss will be most acutely felt by his wife Margaret, their daughter Jennifer McClory, her partner Sarah Klein and their daughter Rose Klein McClory; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the life of Robert McClory, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Robert McClory.end