Fr. McGrath Child Porn Allegations Spark Lots Of Reactions

NEW LENOX, IL - It costs about $12,000 per year to attend Providence Catholic High School and that money is used to help pay the costs of salary and equipment for school officials, people such as Providence President Father Richard McGrath who was forced to retire in shame in December. Last Friday, New Lenox Police revealed that they were not filing criminal charges against the Augustinian Catholic priest because they had insufficient evidence to charge him. Police did say the 71-year-old Catholic priest was uncooperative; he refused to hand over his Providence High School-issued cell phone to New Lenox Police or to Providence. A teenage girl at Providence unexpectedly saw Father McGrath sitting alone in the bleachers during a Providence wrestling match in early December. The girl told other school staff that she saw photos of a naked boy who looked to be 13 on McGrath's phone, according to New Lenox police reports.

Here's just a sampling of the reaction on Joliet Patch and New Lenox Patch since Friday, when police released the contents of their criminal investigative reports surrounding Father McGrath:

1. "The fact that Providence is actively aiding in the cover up is not only appalling but teeters on the line of Obstruction. The parents that send their kids there are truly stupid. Paying thousands a year to teach your kids honesty and values etc etc. They dont seem to practice what they preach. Disgusting. All of them .."
2. "Jesus, people! Get a grip! He is innocent until proven guily! Not enough probable cause and way too much speculation in the court of public opinion. I hope someday you all are not crucified before your day in court!"
3. Yeah cause the phone in question just happened to disappear and will somehow never turn up again, and he somehow never saw the pictures in question ... he might not be able to be found guilty in a court of law, but if you're not smart enough to find him guilty in the court of public opinion then you are what's wrong with this country.
4. "If he was innocent then hand over the phone to school officials before police were involved. The phone was school property."
5. "I'm not saying he's innocent or guilty. I'm saying we don't have all the facts and clearly there isn't enough evidence to prosecute. I'm simply stating the protections we have under the Constitution and hope you never have to defend yourself on conjecture. Maybe he was forced to retire. Again, my point is we do not have all the facts."
6. "Diocese cover up. Catholics will again ... hide another priest. So disgusting, no charges, nothing except his job. Still has money, food, house, and friends, guess it better to do something wrong in society you still have everything. Feel sorry for Providence High School, they are covering this up quick. Guess do not want lose people that are wealthy contributors. Sweep under the rug."
7. "Another priest that won't face charges sad."
8. "Wonder why he refused to cooperate?"
9. "Guess we know where he will be spending eternity."
10. "A Man of God LOL No wonder so many don't go to Church."
11. "Because of the fact that allegedly there is a naked child on an adult's phone I would hope that there would be answers to the following questions - is this alleged child now safe? Does the alleged child need help? Is the alleged child out of danger? Is the alleged child getting help? Do the alleged child's parents know?
12. There was never criminal charges against him! If it was a student or child porn there would be criminal charges! He wasn't a saint no one is!! Would any of u hand over your phones?
13. No surprises here right? Other than it took PCHS and the Diocese over 20 (years) to figured out what many of us suspected way back when. He was a man consumed by power and greed. And twisted obviously."
14. "I went to Providence as a freshman, he was a huge creep."

Image via Midwest Augustinians