Archdiocese Responds to Protests Against Bolingbrook Ex-Priest Accused of Sexually Abusing Boys

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests delivered a letter to the Archdiocese of Chicago last week demanding the firing of Bolingbrook ex-priest Russell Romano, who is now a counselor for Advocate Health Care in Des Plaines. 

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The Archdiocese of Chicago released this statement in response: 

"Russell Lawrence Romano is not a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He resigned from the priesthood in October 1991 and was laicized in May of 2009. When the first allegation was received against him in 1986, the civil authorities were informed and he was placed on limited ministry with restrictions and monitoring, according to the regulations in effect at that time. 

Romanos current employment had not been known to the Archdiocese, but, after learning about his current profession from his accuser in April of 2011, the Archdiocese promptly forwarded this information to the States Attorney and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Romano is included on the list of Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors that has been posted on the Archdiocesan website since March of 2006.

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 the Archdiocesan 

• Office for the Protection of Children and Youth at 312-534-5254.
• Office of Assistance Ministry at 312-534-8267 or toll-free at 866-517-4528.
• Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review at 312-534-5205 or 1-800-994-6200.
• Safe Environment Office at 312-534-5254."

Patch contacted the Advocate Health Care but never received a response.