In Chicago, in the metro area, and even more widely across our nation, we face a profoundly painful moment in our life together. So many families are grieving the loss of loved ones to violence, and those loved ones include babies and small children.

Dear Members of the Faith Community of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Thank you for your patience and prayers during the absence of your Pastor Emeritus, Father Dan McCarthy. As you know, late last year the Archdiocese received allegations of child sexual abuse against Father McCarthy. In accordance with our policies for the protection of children and youth, the Archdiocese Independent Review Board, assisted by our Office of Child Abuse Investigation and Review and outside investigators conducted a thorough review of the allegations.

Dear Members of the Faith Community of St. Sabina, Thank you for your patience and prayers during the absence of your senior pastor. Father Michael Pfleger. As you know, earlier this year the archdiocese received allegations of child sexual abuse against Father Pfleger. In accordance with our policies for the protection of children and youth, the archdiocese Independent Review Board assisted by our Office of Child Abuse Investigation and Review and outside investigators conducted a thorough review of the allegations.

Dear Members of the Christ the King Parish and School communities, On April 21, 2021, I informed you of an allegation of sexual assault against your Pastor, Father Lawrence Sullivan dating from 1984 when he was eighteen years old. In keeping with our procedures, Father Sullivan was asked to step aside from his pastoral duties until a thorough investigation could be completed. This has been a difficult time for your parish and school communities and all involved. Thank you for your patience with this process.

Twenty-six years ago, my predecessor Cardinal Joseph Bernardin invited members of the Jewish and Catholic communities to deepen the long relationship between our local faith communities by making a Dialogue Visit to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to encourage the peace process. Upon their return, Cardinal Bernardin established an annual event called the Jerusalem Lecture. Tomorrow we will gather again for this lecture, so that we might advance that aim of mutual understanding and respect, both of which are prerequisites for what God wants for all peoples: peace. And yet we will do so during a moment of heart-rending conflict, violence and suffering, which comes during the month of Ramadan, the most sacred time of the year for our Muslim sisters and brothers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We, the diocesan bishops of Illinois, write to you on an important matter of public policy and social justice. As many of you know, four years ago Democrats and Republicans worked together to pass the Invest in Kids Act on a bipartisan vote. This law allows for a 75 percent state income tax credit for any charitable donation to an approved scholarship granting organization (SGO). These SGOs use those donations to grant tuition scholarships to the children of working class families, whose income is no greater than three times the poverty level, so that they may attend the school of their choice.

It is with great sadness that I write of the death of James A. Serritella, who served the archdiocese and the Church for 50 years as legal counsel. Jim worked with four Cardinals over the years, helping navigate the archdiocese through many changes and challenges. Working with Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, he was an architect of our pioneering 1992 policies for dealing with clergy sexual abuse of children. These became the basis of the policies adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 10 years later. Jim’s keen focus on compassionate care of survivors and their families was a cornerstone of the archdiocese’s response to this crisis. His hand can be seen in the structure of our Office for the Protection of Children and Youth and its healing and preventive activities.

Dear members of the Christ the King Parish and School communities, I write to share some difficult news about your pastor, Father Lawrence Sullivan. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review learned this week of a report alleging that Father Sullivan sexually assaulted a minor thirty-six years ago when he was eighteen years old. In keeping with our child protection policies, I have asked Father Sullivan to step aside from ministry while this allegation is investigated. Allegations are claims that have not been proven as true or false. Therefore, guilt or innocence should not be assumed.

Dear Saint Peter Damian Parish Family, It is with great difficulty that I write to share news about your pastor, Father Christopher Ciomek. In keeping with our child protection policies, I have asked Father Ciomek to step aside from ministry following receipt by the Archdiocese of allegations of sexual abuse of a minor approximately 30 years ago. Allegations are claims that have not been proven as true or false. Therefore, guilt or innocence should not be assumed.

Today’s response, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, offers nothing new on the Church's teaching on the Sacrament of Matrimony.