ILLINOIS
Daily Herald
[Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors – Archdiocese of Chicago]
[Database of Publicly Accused Priests in the United States – BishopAccountability.org]
A victims’ advocacy group is calling for an ex-priest accused of sexual misconduct to be removed from his job at Des Plaines health facility where he counsels people struggling with depression, substance abuse, family problems and stress.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has submitted letters to the Archdiocese of Chicago and Advocate Health Care demanding Russell Lawrence Romano, a counselor in Advocate’s Illinois Professional Health Program, be fired.
Romano is accused of molesting at least five boys and is listed on the archdiocese’s website as a cleric with “substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct with minors.”
He was never criminally charged and left the priesthood in 1991.
“He is working in a position where he … is providing counseling for people dealing with addictions,” said Barbara Blaine, SNAP spokeswoman, who added that Romano does not belong in a job where he has access to children.
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