Local Catholic Priest Faces Child Porn Charges

A Catholic priest at Mission San Juan Diego Catholic Church in Arlington Heights faces felony child porn charges following an investigation by the Cook County state’s attorney’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Clovis Javier Vilchez-Parra, 34, an associate pastor, lives in Palatine in a residence on the 100 block of South Arlene Drive owned by the Chicago Archdiocese. Palatine and Bartlett police searched his house Monday and seized a laptop and media containing child porn, according to authorities.

The priest is due in court Wednesday. He’s charged with reproduction of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, released a statement on Wednesday with a direct appeal to Chicago’s newly installed archbishop, Blase Cupich.

“He could go this Sunday to Mission San Juan Diego Catholic Church in Arlington Heights and beg anyone who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by Fr. Clovis Vilchez-Parra to call 911. He could assure his flock that cooperating with law enforcement is the right thing to do. He could help them understand that the church becomes safer and stronger when church staff and employees don’t ‘clam up’ when sex scandals emerge. And he could potentially make it easier and quicker for secular authorities to protect children by convicting Vilchez-Parra. All it takes is a little courage and effort by Cupich,” SNAP’s statement reads.

The Archdiocese of Chicago told news media the church is monitoring the case.