Statements

Together with the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago and all people of good will, I mourn and pray for the victims of the horrific stabbings at the home of a Jewish family during a Hanukkah celebration Saturday night in Monsey, NY.

The Orland Park Police have announced that the retired pastor of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park, Fr. Paul Burak, has been charged in the December 4 accident that took the life of Margaret (Rone) Leja and injured Elizabeth Kosteck, both teachers at St. Michael School (Orland Park). We are cooperating with the Orland Park Police and have no further information at this time.

Dear Parishioners of Nativity of Our Lord and St. Gabriel Parish, In July, I informed you of an accusation of sexual abuse against your former pastor, Father William McFarlane. In keeping with our procedures, he was asked to step aside from active ministry until a thorough investigation and process could be completed. He has fully cooperated with civil authorities and the Archdiocese of Chicago during those investigations.

After consultation with the Archdiocese of Chicago Presbyteral Council, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, issued a decree stating that Queen of Apostles Church, located at 207 W. 145th Street in Riverdale, is relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective today, September 16, 2019. This means that beginning today, September 16, 2019 the building will no longer be a sacred space and may not be used for worship. The final Mass at Queen of Apostles Church was celebrated on September 15, 2019.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, has asked Father George Clements, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, to step aside from ministry pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in 1974, while he served as pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Chicago.

Today the Archdiocese of Chicago mourns and prays for the victims of yesterday’s gun massacres in El Paso and Dayton. We stand with their loved ones demanding an end to this deadly status quo.

Dear Parishioners of Nativity of Our Lord and St. Gabriel Parish, I write to you with some difficult news. I have asked Father William McFarlane, former pastor of Nativity of Our Lord and St. Gabriel Parish, to step aside from ministry following receipt by the Archdiocese of an allegation of sexual abuse that occurred in 1997, before Father McFarlane entered the seminary.

After consultation with the Archdiocese of Chicago Presbyteral Council, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, issued a decree stating that St. Adalbert Church, located at 1650 W. 17th Street in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, is relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective July 15, 2019. This means that beginning July 15, 2019 the building will no longer be a sacred space and may not be used for worship. The final Mass at St. Adalbert Church will be celebrated on July 14, 2019. This news was shared with parishioners during Masses on June 23, 2019 at St. Adalbert.

Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, In January, I informed you of the accusation against your pastor, Father Patrick Lee, 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.

The passage of Senate Bill 25, eliminating even the minimal limitations on abortions under previous law marks a sad moment in our history as a State. We have worked to make the case for a consistent approach to human dignity in Illinois and will continue to do so even as elected officials single out unborn persons for particular disregard. It remains our hope that Illinois will eventually distinguish itself as a safe place that welcomes not only those seeking a new life or second chance, but also the most vulnerable among us who deserve a chance at life.