Lockport Priest Resigns After 'Inappropriate' Snapchat: Report

LOCKPORT, IL — The pastor of St. Dennis parish in Lockport has resigned from his post after an inappropriate video was shared on social media. The Diocese of Joliet said it accepted the resignation of the Rev. James Curtin, "who is past retirement age," effective May 12.

WGN reported the video was posted on Snapchat and a St. Dennis student viewed the video.

In a letter to the St. Dennis community, the diocese said that earlier this week a video was created on social media involving Curtin and was then distributed by community members. The letter did not say what the video contained.

"The original video was not created with harmful intent but rather due to lack of knowledge regarding the use of modern technology," Bishop Richard Pates said in the letter.

The diocese was notified within a few minutes of the original post, and the video was removed. Curtin immediately was removed from public ministry and Pates said Curtin "deeply regrets this incident."

According to the letter, the incident has been reported to law enforcement. Lockport Police Chief Terry Lemming said the incident was investigated and it was found that no crime was committed by anyone.

"This is a most unfortunate incident," Pates said in the letter. "While aware of its gravity, it only seems reasonable to acknowledge and recognize Father's 20 plus years of dedicated service as pastor of St. Dennis parish.

The Rev. Burke Masters has been appointed the temporary administrator at St. Dennis, the diocese said.

According to Burke's website, he was born and raised in Joliet and attended Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. He was not raised Catholic but became Catholic during his senior year of high school, he writes on his website. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2002, and previously worked as the vocation director for the Diocese of Joliet.