Statements

Today Anderson & Associates released the names of clerics and laypeople they say have been accused of the sexual abuse of minors and have served in one or more of the six Illinois dioceses. The Archdiocese of Chicago reports all allegations we receive to the civil authorities. In addition to the priests listed on the Archdiocese’s website, we have identified 22 priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago on Anderson & Associates’ list.

We learned today of yet another terrorist attack on a place of worship, this time at two mosques in New Zealand. I stand with all people of good will in condemning these senseless acts of violence against Muslims, many of whom were immigrants and refugees. Joining Pope Francis, I assure our Muslim brothers and sisters, particularly those in New Zealand, of our prayers to the one, all-Merciful God for healing and comfort.

As we come together this evening for this 24th Annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture, I want to use these first words to reassure our Jewish brothers and sisters of my full-throated support at a time when we witness in our time the continued rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts of hatred against Jews. In keeping with my statement this past month, I call on all people of good will to join me in rooting out this hatred from our homes, places of worship and public discourse. We need to work together as partners in combatting this troubling trend which puts Jews at risk while threatening the religious freedom and humanity of all.

A few months ago, I was joined by Rabbi Samuel Gordon, Holocaust survivor Fritchie Fritzshall and others at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center to speak out against Holocaust denial and its harmful effects. Since that time, the continued rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts in Europe and the United States has become more and more troubling. These attempts to dehumanize Jews, making them an object of blame, and sowing irrational fear and anger can have dire consequences, as the Tree of Life massacre painfully reminds us.

The historic meeting on the protection of children convened by the Holy Father this past week set the direction of the entire global Church on the question of child safety. Our firm resolve and the actions we will take were the direct result of our listening to victim survivors throughout the meeting. Their unflinching witness moved the hearts of the participants and the world and led us to commit to a common mission of making the Church a safe place for all, achieved by taking personal responsibility, holding bishops accountable and practicing transparency.

Introduction: From Collegiality to Synodality From what we just heard from Cardinal Gracias, we are to understand our gathering in these days as an exercise in collegiality. We are here, as the universal episcopate in affective and substantive union with the successor of Peter, to discern through spirited dialogue where our ministry as successors of the apostles calls us to confront effectively the scandal of clergy sexual abuse that has wounded so many little ones.

Ms. Yesenia Rodriguez, a junior high teacher at St. Procopius School (Chicago), has been suspended upon receipt of allegations of child sexual abuse involving at least one former St. Procopius School student. We were informed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) that Ms. Rodriguez has been arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and battery. DCFS is investigating the matter. Ms. Rodriguez, who has taught at St. Procopius School since 2014, will remain away from the school until this matter is resolved. We are cooperating with civil authorities.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I write to share some difficult news. I have asked Father John P. Smyth, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago to step aside from ministry following receipt by the Archdiocesan Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review of allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, has asked Father Patrick Lee, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Chicago), to step aside from ministry following receipt this week by the Archdiocese of Chicago of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in 1979 while Fr. Lee was assigned to St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian.

The archdiocese has reviewed the preliminary report of the Illinois Attorney General’s investigation of the Catholic dioceses of Illinois’ handling of clergy sexual abuse cases. The nature of the report makes it difficult to discern which generalized findings apply to the Archdiocese of Chicago. However here are a few comments we can make: