South Side Priest Cleared Of Child Sex Abuse Allegation

CHICAGO — A priest has been restored to ministry after being cleared of an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor.

Earlier this month, Rev. Martin Marren agreed to step aside from his ministerial duties and live away from the parish keeping with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s child protection policies while the allegation was investigated. Marren was an associate pastor of St. Cajetan and St. John Fisher parishes in Mount Greenwood.

Cardinal Blase Cupich penned seven letters to parishioners at seven parishes where the priest had ties in Mt. Greenwood, Beverly, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park and Homewood. The cardinal stated that at an Archdiocese of Chicago investigation determined that there was no evidence to support that sexual abuse against the minor took place.

The matter was also turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services who came to the same conclusion. The person making the allegation was offered the services of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s victim assistance ministry.

The Archdiocese Office for the Protection of Children and Youth turned over its findings to an independent review board that recommended that Marren be returned to ministry.

In addition to St. Cajetan and St. John Fisher, Marren also served in various roles at other parishes, including:

• Deacon at the former St. Bernadette Church in Evergreen Park, 1983
• Associate pastor of Germaine Parish in Oak Lawn, 1984 t0 1991
• Associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Beverly, 1991 to 1997
• Associate pastor of St. Gerald Parish in Oak Lawn, 1997 to 2004
• Pastor from 2004 to 2018 at St. Emeric Parish of St. John Neumann Parish in Homewood
• Pastor from 2018 to 2022 at Queen of Martyrs Parish in Evergreen Park

Parishioners at St. Gianna Church, which formed last year when the Evergreen Park parishes of St. Bernadette and Queen of Martyrs merged last year, and received a letter from the cardinal as well.

“I have accepted the Board’s recommendations and have restored Father Marren’s faculties to minister,” Cupich said in his letter. “At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated. 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.”

Cupich said the archdiocese takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously.

The Archdiocese of Chicago urges anyone who believes they have been abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward. To report abuse please refer to the Archdiocesan Protection of Children and Youth.

“You will be received with respect and compassion,” the cardinal said.