Statement from the Diocese of Rockford Regarding the Arrest of Father Alfredo Pedraza

Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford
February 11, 2016

https://www.rockforddiocese.org/pdfs/pressreleases/2016-02-11-Pedraza_Press_Release.pdf

[full text]

[en espanol]

The Rockford Diocese has been informed by the Kane County Sheriff and the U.S. Marshall’s Office that Father Alfredo Pedraza was arrested today, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at his residence in Rockford, Illinois. Father Pedraza is being charged in Kane County with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 13 years.

Father Pedraza has been under investigation for two allegations reported to authorities and the Diocese of Rockford in 2014. Immediately after the first allegation was reported, Father Pedraza was asked to remove himself from all priestly ministry and from all Hispanic Ministry duties in the DeKalb County Deanery to which he was assigned at the time the first allegation was received and while the allegation was being investigated. He has been out of all ministry since October 30, 2014.

As we have during the investigation process, the Rockford Diocese remains in full cooperation with authorities.

Father Pedraza came to the Rockford Diocese from Colombia, South America in 2013. During his time with the diocese, he worked in Hispanic Ministry in the DeKalb Deanery and assisted at Sacred Heart Parish in Aurora and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Aurora.

While everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Rockford Diocese takes allegations of misconduct in any form very seriously and must act accordingly to insure the safety and security of all our Catholic people as we conduct our worship and ministries together.

As always the policy of the Diocese of Rockford is that anyone who might be, or knows someone that has been, a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the diocesan clergy, religious, church employee or volunteer should first call police, then call the diocesan hotline at 815-293-7540