A Filipino Catholic priest serving in the US has been relieved from his pastoral duties following allegations of “grooming and sexual misconduct” involving seminarians.
The Archdiocese of Chicago said that Fr. Xamie Reyes will ‘live away’ from Little Flower Parish in Waukegan, Illinois, while investigation is ongoing.
“This is a very serious matter,” Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich of Chicago said in an Oct. 18 letter to parishioners, describing the situation as “difficult news.”
“The allegations do not involve children and youth, but they do involve seminarians,” he said. “Father Reyes will live away from the parish pending the outcome of an investigation into these charges.”
Cupich appointed Fr. Ismael Garcia, the current associate pastor, as parish administrator effective immediately.
Garcia, with the assistance of Bishop Timothy O’Malley, the regional episcopal vicar, will ensure that the parish continues to receive pastoral care, the cardinal said.
“I know that this is unsettling news, but I take seriously the responsibility to ensure those serving you are fit for ministry and that all are kept safe,” he added. “Only by doing so can we remain true to our promise to keep everyone safe.”
Reyes, 65, was born in the Philippines and began his religious formation with a congregation that sent him to Mexico for seminary studies, according to the archdiocese.
After discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood, he continued his formation for the Archdiocese of Chicago and was ordained in 2000.
Cupich said the archdiocese takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who has experienced or observed misconduct to come forward. Reports can be made through the procedures outlined on its website, www.archchicago.org.
