Read by Most. Rev. Francis J. Kane, Auxiliary Bishop and Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate Ii, at Masses on June 4 - 5, 2005, Archdiocese of Chicago, June 5, 2005

Read by Most. Rev. Francis J. Kane, Auxiliary Bishop and Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate II, at Masses on June 4 - 5, 2005

Archdiocese of Chicago
June 5, 2005

Dear members of the Queen of Angels Parish family,

I stand before you today with great sadness, because I have painful news to share.

Your pastor, Fr. Bill O�Brien, has been temporarily withdrawn as pastor of Queen of Angels Parish pending further inquiry and following an allegation received by officials of the Archdiocese of Chicago that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor. The sexual misconduct is alleged to have occurred approximately 25 years ago while Fr. O�Brien served as an associate pastor at St. Cajetan Parish in Chicago. This allegation has been reported to the Cook County State�s Attorney.

The independent Review Board of the Archdiocese in its initial review determined that the matter warranted further inquiry and recommended that Fr. O�Brien be withdrawn from parish ministry pending this inquiry. Cardinal George accepted the Board�s recommendation. Pending further review, Fr. O�Brien is cooperating with archdiocesan officials and now is residing in a monitored and restricted setting.

If anyone has additional information or a concern to raise regarding Fr. O�Brien, please contact our Archdiocesan Professional Responsibility Administrator directly at 1-800-994-6200. You may also contact the Office of the Cook County State�s Attorney at 312-603-5440 or the Office of the Lake County State�s Attorney at 847-377-3000.

This is very difficult news to share and even more difficult, I know, to hear. If there is more information about the situation to share, it will be shared.

For the time being, Fr. Bob Heidenreich, the area dean and pastor of nearby St. Benedict Parish, has agreed to serve as administrator for your parish. I have assured him and the rest of your pastoral staff that they shall have any additional assistance they need going forward.

May I ask that you join me now to pray for all people in need of the Lord�s peace and healing: for the adult who brought this concern to the Archdiocese, for Fr. O�Brien, and for all those affected by the horror of sexual abuse.

Please know that Cardinal George is praying for the people of Queen of Angels Parish at this difficult time. Be assured that I shall also keep you in my prayers.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Francis J. Kane
Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate II