Statement of the Diocese of Joliet Re: Fr. Thomas Corbino

Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet
April 4, 2013

http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/documents/2013-04-04BishopsOffice.pdf

[with pdf ]

Media reports in the past few days have focused on the removal of Fr. Thomas Corbino as a volunteer hospital chaplain at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Since some of the reporting may contain incomplete information, the leadership of the Diocese of Joliet would like to set the record straight.

  In August of 2011, the diocese received information indicating that Fr. Thomas Corbino may have engaged in inappropriate behavior with a minor when he served as a pastor at both St. Irene Parish, Warrenville and St. Anthony Parish in Frankfort from 1987 to 2008.  

The diocese sent the information to the states attorneys of DuPage and Will counties and immediately began an internal review into the matter. After several months of review by the diocesan review board, it was determined that Fr. Corbino’s actions did not rise to the level of sexual abuse of a minorevertheless, because of Fr. Corbino’s inappropriate behavior, he resigned from parish ministry placed in a restricted ministry with supervision. In that ministry, he served as a volunteer chaplain at Central DuPage Hospital. He was under the supervision of the hospital’s head of chaplain services and was to have no unsupervised contact with chilren. All involved with Fr. Corbino, whether at the hospital or elsewhere, were informed about the circumstances of Fr. Corbino’ s restricted ministry.

As always, the Diocese of Joliet welcomes anyone who has information about sexual abuse of a minor by a member of the clergy, employee or volunteer of the diocese to report the abuse to civil authorities and to us.

  If a victim comes to us, we will of fer pastoral assistance and counseling.  

Reports to the diocese should be made to any pastor or to the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 815 263 6467.

Sexual abuse is a crime. The Diocese of Joliet is committed to helping bring healing to survivors and to bring the abusers to justice.