Chicagoland

Statement of the Archdiocese of Chicago regarding Rev. Gary M. Miller

By Catholic New World
Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Rev. Gary Miller has resigned as pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park. His faculties to engage in any public ministry have been removed. Father Miller stepped aside following an allegation received by officials of the Archdiocese of Chicago on June 30, 2012 that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor while assigned to St. Leonard Parish in Berwyn, more than 30 years ago.

This allegation was immediately reported by the archdiocese to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and to the Cook County State’s Attorney. The archdiocese’s Independent Review Board determined there is reasonable cause to suspect that sexual abuse of a minor had occurred and recommended that Father Miller be withdrawn from ministry.

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, has accepted the Review Board’s determination and recommendation. Father Miller is now residing in a private setting away from the parish. He has agreed to be in the prayer and penance program administered by the Archdiocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth.

In accordance with canon law and the norms established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Father Miller’s case will now be sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith at the Vatican. The Congregation will instruct the archdiocese as to the next step in the canonical processing of the decision for permanent removal from ministry.

Cardinal George will name a new pastor for St. Bernadette Parish after Oct. 1.

Any parishes where Father Miller served are being notified of these developments so that others who may have been abused may come forward.

Sexual abuse of children is a grave sin and a crime. The archdiocese of Chicago reports every allegation to the civil authorities and cooperates with them. The archdiocese continues to reach out and work for the healing of all those affected by the tragedy of child and adolescent sexual abuse.

Information about reporting allegations of sexual abuse by Archdiocesan clergy, deacons or lay persons, no matter when the abuse occurred, can be found on the archdiocesan website, www.archchicago.org, or by calling: Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review, (312) 534- 5205 or (800) 994-6200 or the Office of Assistance Ministry, (312) 534- 8267 or toll-free at (866) 517-4528.

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