Fr. Richard J. McGrath

Order: OSA
Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Joliet IL

Accused in a 4/2018 lawsuit of the sexual abuse of a boy ages 13-15 in 1995-1996. The abuse allegedly included rape and occurred at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, where McGrath was President. Police were investigating. Had been investigated in 12/2017 after a girl reported she saw at a wrestling match that McGrath had a photo of a nude boy on his cellphone. McGrath refused to give the phone to police; that investigation closed. McGrath resigned from the high school. The man who filed suit in 4/2018 came forward to police in 1/2018. Per news in 9/2018, McGrath moved to his Order’s St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park, across an alley from a preschool and near a Catholic grade school. The Augustinians agreed to move him after an outcry. Sent to a friary in Chicago. Reported in 12/2018 to have “gone missing” from Order. Thought to be living alone in a Chicago apartment. Lawsuit settled in 11/2023 for $2M. Reportedly in 2/2025, McGrath was dismissed from the Augustinians in 12/2024. In 5/2024 his whereabouts remained unclear; he was reported by some to have been seen in Mokena.

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