Ousted Providence Priest, McGrath, Has Defenders, Foes

NEW LENOX, IL - On Friday, the Diocese of Joliet and Providence Catholic High School issued a stunning statement just a few days before Christmas. Father Richard McGrath, who has been principal or president of Providence Catholic High School since 1985, is out. This was a forced resignation, and the matter is now being handled by the New Lenox Police Department, according to a Chicago Sun-Times article. Providence announced the allegation surrounding McGrath's immediate retirement involved "potentially inappropriate material on his mobile device." McGrath's resignation became one of the top news stories across the Chicago area and not one journalist was able to track down McGrath for a comment.

Providence officials went ahead and have removed McGrath from their school's website.

Meanwhile, a number of readers of the New Lenox Patch and Joliet Patch offered their reaction to the unexpected departure of the high-profile Augustinian priest. Father McGrath, 71, also is second counselor/treasurer for the Midwest Augustinians. His bio and photo on their website states, "In addition to his duties on the Provincial Council, Fr. McGrath also serves as both the President of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois, and the Superintendent of Augustinian Schools. Father McGrath is a graduate of Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, Illinois."

Here's a sampling of reaction from Patch readers around Will County:

1. "We stand with Father McGrath. He built Providence and his character has been demonstrated, for over 35 years, as a stellar leader. This is a loss to the entire Providence community."

2. "Will you still stand with him if these allegations are founded? When one is innocent, they tend to fight for themselves, not step down."

3. "Obviously there is a lot to sort out, but my sons know his character. They defend him and his history is known to all. Whatever “inappropriate” means we don’t expect it to be anything like previous scandals in the catholic church. But I expect we will find out soon enough. In the meantime it’s a sad day for Providence Catholic."

4. "I’m baffled that people believe he is incapable of such an accusation."

5. "Providence officials alerted police....ummmm ya its obviously something!"

6. "... My daughter is a senior there. I won’t speculate on an open forum until I know what exactly the inappropriate material was. However ...let’s be real here...provi officials alerted police and the Joliet archdiocese got involved. He’s a very prominent man at Providence why would he step down if whatever allegations weren’t true? As a parent I’m disappointed we aren’t being given more information. We pay so much in tuition...we deserve the truth. Was my daughter in harms way??? I have no idea and that’s wrong."

RELATED: Providence President Father McGrath Steps Down Amid Investigation

7. "I don’t know what 'inappropriate content or images on a mobile device' will amount to. I do pray there are no victims of any sort. I just can’t wrapping my brain around anything beyond that."

8. "Yes I pray there are no 'victims' and hopefully NOTHING involving the Providence family or any person!!! That’s what’s frustrating ...so many rumors can start to swirl because they aren’t giving us facts we desperately need and deserve."

9. "Just a thought, but if he had child pornography on his phone, there is still a victim. I'm willing to place a friendly wager this is as revolting as many of us suspect it to be. I'll be following this story for updates. I went to PCHS and know a lot of people with varying opinions of him."

10. "This is why I quit the Catholic church many years ago. As a recovering Catholic, I am appalled. There is still a hall at St Mary’s in Mokena that is named for a molester. Unbelievable."

11. "I hope no one condemns the school for this. I have put two kids through Providence and have one still there and all three have received great educations."

12. "This news following the report of a priest from Ohio who was under investigation for excessive text and telephone contact with a minor who came to Chicago and committed suicide this week by jumping out of a hotel window. I guess these guys think they will never be found out otherwise why do they continue to do these kinds of things."

RELATED: Ohio Priest Leaps To Death In Chicago

Image of Father Richard McGrath via Midwest Augustinians website, image of Providence via Google Maps