A Chicago priest who served at St. Giles Parish in Oak Park in the 1980s, has been removed from ministry in Chicago by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, according to an archdiocese press release.
Patrick Lee was an associate pastor at St. Giles from Dec. 7, 1983 to Dec. 30, 1986, but was accused of sexual abuse of a minor while at St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian in 1979, the archdiocese reported.
Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of St. Giles, could not immediately be reached for comment.
An archdiocese spokesperson said a message from Cupich was shared with St. Giles parishioners on Jan. 12, stating that “nothing is more important than the welfare of the children entrusted to our care.”
“The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee, to come forward,” Cupich wrote.
The archdiocese did not give any details about the accusation, but said it was first reported to the Archdiocesan Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review.
“In keeping with our child protection policies, the allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Cook County State’s Attorney,” Cupich said in the press release. “The person making the allegation has been offered the services of the archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Ministry.”
In addition to his time at St. Giles, Lee served at the following parishes:
• St. Christopher Parish (Midlothian), associate pastor, May 12, 1976 to June 30, 1979
• St. Matthias Parish (Ainslie Street, Chicago), associate pastor, May 23, 1979 to December 7, 1983
• Quigley Preparatory Seminary (North), faculty member, July 1, 1979 to December 31, 1986
• Immaculate Conception Parish (North Park Avenue, Chicago), associate pastor, June 15, 1986 to April 14, 1987
• Immaculate Conception Parish (North Park Avenue, Chicago), pastor, April 14, 1987 to July 1, 2013
• St. Joseph Parish (N. Orleans Street, Chicago), pastor, July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2013
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Belmont Avenue, Chicago), pastor, July 1, 2013 to present
Cupich noted that Lee will “live away from the parish while the allegation is investigated.”
tim@oakpark.com