On Nov. 16, Cardinal Cupich sent the following letter to Our Lady at St. Germaine, St. Gerald, St. Cajetan, St. John Fisher, St. John Neumann, St. Gianna and St. Barnabas Parishes informing them of the reinstatement of Father Martin Marren: I recently wrote to inform you that we had received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Father Martin Marren, who serves as your associate pastor. In keeping with our child protection policies, Father Marren stepped aside from ministry, we offered the services of our assistance ministry to the person making the allegation and reported it to the civil authorities, who have completed their investigations. The Archdiocese Office for the Protection of Children and Youth presented those findings and the results of their own investigation to our Independent Review Board (IRB) today. The IRB found that there is not a reasonable cause to believe Father Marren abused a minor. They recommended that the file be closed and he be returned to ministry. After prayerful consideration, I have accepted the Board’s recommendations and have restored Father Marren’s faculties to minister. It is important to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance. It is for that reason we take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated. To that end, I publicly affirm that Father Marren is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He deserves our respect and gratitude and I hope you will join me in thanking him for his long-standing dedication. The Archdiocese of Chicago encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward. You will be received with dignity and compassion. Complete information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the archdiocesan website at www.archchicago.org. Sincerely yours in Christ, Cardinal Blase Cupich Archbishop of Chicago
Papal vicar names safeguarding point person for Vatican City, Roman Curia Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the papal vicar for Vatican City State, has appointed Scalabrinian Father Luigi Sabbarese, a 60-year-old canon lawyer, to coordinate and verify the city state’s safeguarding efforts.
Retired Pope Benedict XVI corrects statement for Munich abuse report Amending a written statement made to a panel investigating clerical sexual abuse in his former Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he was present at a 1980 meeting to discuss the transfer of a priest accused of misconduct.