DIOCESE—On March 23, the Diocese of Rockford updated its list of priests against whom a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported. 

 

The update was the result of the Rockford Diocese being made aware that a religious order priest previously assigned at St. Mary Oratory in Rockford has been identified by the Diocese of San Diego in California on its list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

 

The priest’s name is Father Joseph Marron, a member of the Augustinian religious order who died in 1998. He was assigned as an assistant pastor to the parish from 1941 to 1945. 

 

Per diocesan policy, parishioners at St. Mary Oratory were notified and Father Marron’s name has now been added to the Diocese of Rockford’s list of priests against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been reported, and whose name appears on another diocese’s list of accused. 

 

That list is available to the public on the diocesan website at www.rockforddiocese.org under Safe Environment. 

 

The diocese reminds readers that if you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the diocesan clergy, religious, church employee or volunteer, please first call your local police, and then call the diocesan hotline at 815-293-7540.