On Saturday, May 14, a gunman used an AR-15, high-capacity assault weapon to murder 10 Black Americans at a Buffalo grocery store, wounding two bystanders. Many of his victims were near or beyond retirement age, including Pearl Young, 77, a grandmother of eight who taught Sunday school, and Katherine Massey, 72, a civil-rights advocate who had written in favor of stronger gun-safety laws. Civil authorities say the 18-year-old suspect traveled hours to carry out his rampage, apparently leaving behind a manifesto filled with white supremacist ideology, including the vile conspiracy theory that people of color are “replacing” white Americans.

The people of the Archdiocese of Chicago stand with our brothers and sisters suffering under attack in Ukraine.

Dear Saint Edward Parish and School Family, It is with great difficulty that I write to share news about Father James McIlhone, a retired priest who is a resident in your parish. In keeping with our child protection policies, I have directed Father McIlhone to step aside from ministry and live away from the parish following receipt by the Archdiocese of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor approximately 40 years ago while he was an associate pastor at another parish. He has agreed to cooperate with this direction. Allegations are claims that have not been proven and for this reason there needs to be a full investigation.

We are now more than two years into a time of loss and illness, unprecedented in living memory. Everyone is weary but we must call upon our reserves to remain diligent and take every precaution to keep ourselves and communities safe. Moreover, we must respect and support the heroes among us, our health care and other frontline workers. Keeping ourselves safe keeps them safe and ensures facilities remain open to those who need them.

Dear Parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Parish, In September, I informed you that additional information on an allegation against your pastor, Father David Ryan, which was not previously provided to the Archdiocese or the Independent Review Board, had surfaced. As a result, Father David Ryan once again stepped aside from the parish and has fully cooperated while this matter was thoroughly investigated. Today, our Independent Review Board met to consider and discuss the information that had been provided by the independent investigation. They reached the judgement that that there is insufficient reason to suspect Father Ryan had committed sexual abuse of a minor. I have decided to accept that judgement and reinstate him as your pastor immediately.

Dear Parishioners of St. Peter Damian Parish, Last April, I informed you of allegations of improper conduct against your pastor, Father Christopher Ciomek. In keeping with our procedures, Father Ciomek was asked to step aside from his pastoral duties until a thorough investigation and process could be completed.

Dear Parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Last week, I informed you that our Independent Review Board (IRB) had found there was insufficient reason to suspect Father David Ryan had committed sexual abuse of a minor and that I was reinstating him as your pastor, effective immediately.

Dear Parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Last November, I informed you of an accusation against your pastor, Father David F. Ryan, and that, in keeping with our procedures, he was asked to step aside from his pastoral duties until a thorough investigation and process could be completed. He has fully cooperated with civil authorities and the Archdiocese of Chicago during these months.

This is not to end in death

We know, Elizabeth and your family, that anything we say to console you at the loss of Ella falls so woefully short. We are only beginning to know Ella as you have known her over a lifetime: a woman of empathy for the sufferings of others, humble enough to know she could always improve, and generous to the point of dedicating her life to making a difference in our world. So, let our presence, the tears in our eyes, the sadness on our faces, our voices cracking with emotion and the somber solemnity of these rites through which the city embraces you, be a source of some comfort in this moment of unspeakable pain.

Saturday night, members of the Chicago Police Department’s Community Safety Team stopped a vehicle for an expired license plate. Soon after, Officer Ella French, just 29 years old, was shot and killed by one of the occupants of the civilian vehicle. Another officer was badly wounded in the exchange of gunfire and remains in critical condition. We pray for him, for his family and friends, just as we pray for Officer French and her family and friends, as they cope with the terrible reality that their loved one was taken from them in another act of senseless violence. We can only imagine their pain, as we hold them in prayer and stand with them and all first responders who risk their safety every day to protect our communities and keep the peace.