CHICAGO (IL)
WGN-TV [Chicago IL]
November 16, 2024
By Ethan Illers
A Catholic priest on Chicago’s South Side has been reinstated after no evidence supporting allegations of sexual abuse made against him last week was found.
Archbishop Cardinal Blase J. Cupich sent letters to Our Lady at St. Germaine, St. Gerald, St. Cajetan, St. John Fisher, St. John Neumann, St. Gianna and St. Barnabas parishes informing them of his decision to reinstate Fr. Martin Marren after he was temporarily removed from ministry.
Last week, officials said the Department of Child and Family Services opened an investigation against Marren amid allegations of alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The Archdiocese Office for the Protection of Children and Youth presented their findings and the results of their own investigation to its Independent Review Board (IRB) on Saturday, according to officials.
The IRB found no reasonable cause to believe Marren sexually abused a minor and recommended the file be closed and he be returned to ministry.
“It is important to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount
importance. It is for that reason we take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated,” Cupich said in a statement. “To that end, I publicly affirm that Father Marren is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He deserves our respect and gratitude and I hope you will join me in thanking him for his long-standing dedication.”
The Archdiocese of Chicago encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward.
Complete information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the archdiocesan website.