Statement from Cardinal Cupich for the parishioners of St. Aloysius
Dear Parishioners of St. Aloysius,
I regret to inform you that Father Edwin Giraldo Cortes, of the Diocese of Soacha, Colombia, who served briefly at your parish while visiting the United States, from August 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018, was arrested yesterday by the Miami Police Department. The charges are lewd behavior and indecent exposure and involve an adult male.
Father Giraldo Cortes was granted faculties for one month based on the recommendation and representations of his bishop, Most Reverend Jose Daniel Falla Robles of the Diocese of Soacha, Columbia, who testified to his good standing and fidelity to his ordination promises and that he had no impediments to ministry. Father Giraldo Cortes does not currently have faculties to minister in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
We are committed to ensuring the priests who serve in our diocese are fit for ministry and take this situation seriously. The people of St. Aloysius are in my prayers. Father Claudio Diaz will communicate if there are further developments that impact the parish.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago
For the Spanish version of the statement, please click here.