MM_101118

mokenamessenger.com News
the Mokena Messenger | October 11, 2018 | 5
McGrath relocated after archdiocese said it learned of the allegations against him
Former Providence
president was living at
friary near school, day
care
Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor
When the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Chicago heard
that a man under investigation for
sexual abuse was living within
their boundaries, it asked him to
leave.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported
on Sept. 21 that the Rev.
Richard McGrath, the former
president of Providence Catholic
High School in New Lenox, was
residing at the St. John Stone Friary
in Hyde Park. The friary is a
mere 390 feet from the St. Thomas
the Apostle grade school, and also
is near a preschool and a day care
center.
McGrath is a member of the
Augustinian Order of Priests, who
have not responded to multiple attempts
for comment on the situation.
McGrath left his position at
Providence High School after a
student allegedly saw a photo of
a naked boy on McGrath’s cellphone.
When confronted by police
and Providence administrators,
McGrath refused to hand over the
phone. A lawyer later informed
police the phone likely no longer
existed, leaving no evidence of any
inappropriate material.
Earlier this year, McGrath was
publicly accused of sexual abuse
and rape by a former student, and
the case is currently under investigation
by the Will County State’s
Attorney’s Office.
Anne Maselli, director of communications
and marketing for the
Archdiocese of Chicago, said in an
email that the archdiocese knew
of McGrath’s move to the friary,
but that members were unaware of
the seriousness of the allegations
against him.
“The Archdiocese was informed
by the Augustinian Order four
Rev. Richard J. McGrath. 22nd Century Media file photo
months after Fr. Richard McGrath
was moved to the friary in Hyde
Park, however in informing the
Archdiocese the Augustinian Order
only mentioned that Fr. Mc-
Grath had allegations of ‘inappropriate
material’ on his mobile
phone, and he had completed safeenvironment
training,” she wrote.
“The Order did not say anything
about an allegation of sexual
abuse against Fr. McGrath. If they
had fully informed us of his status
he would not have been permitted
to live in the Archdiocese of Chicago.”
After finding out that he is currently
under investigation for
sexual abuse during his time at
Providence, Maselli said the archdiocese
notified the Augustinians
that he must be moved elsewhere
immediately. The Augustinians
were tasked with his relocation,
but further details about when and
where he was moved were unavailable.
She said the archdiocese was
informed that McGrath had completed
safe environment training
in response to the allegation
of inappropriate material on his
phone, and therefore “did not
see the need to notify nearby
schools.”
Calls to the friary were not returned.
pan cakes
From Page 3
MFPD demonstrated how
a sprinkler system works,
using a simulated room to
ignite a fire and letting the
sprinkler system do its job,
which is to break open a
tube and release the water
once the temperature reaches
170 degrees fahrenheit,
in front of a enthusiastic
crowd.
Firemen also demonstrated
how they extract people
trapped inside a vehicle using
a new Jaws of Life hydraulic
tool, which made
short work of the wrecked
minivan used for the demonstration.
RIGHT: Mokena firemen
demonstrate how they
extract people using a new
Jaws of Life hydraulic tool.
Photo by T.J. Kremer III/22nd
Century Media
Bob Spychalski
BROKER
•CustomizedMarketingCampaign
•Freeprofessional&dronephotography
•Strongonline&socialmediaexposure
•5starZillowagent
•LocalResident
630.728.8490
Sell It!
With a Classified Ad
See the Classified Section for more info, or call
708.326.9170 • 22ndCenturyMedia.com
BOB SPYCHALSKI
ILC 8509 0318
Don’t just list your
real estate property...