Fr. Merk 'Overwhelmed' As Providence President, Hurt Over Scandal

NEW LENOX, IL — As Providence Catholic High School remains embroiled in a cloud of controversy regarding the forced removal of the school's leader of 32 years Father Richard McGrath, his temporary replacement has written a letter that went out to staff on Sunday night. Classes resumed at Providence on Monday. Father John "Merk" Merkelis, Providence's interim president, informed staff he has felt "overwhelmed," upon taking on the added responsibilities of overseeing the entire operation of Providence.

Merkelis had been in the role of pastoral director at Providence for the past several years working under McGrath. An announcement that was posted on the Providence website on December 22 indicated that Merkelis would perform both roles for the foreseeable future.

"First, I felt stunned, confused, sad and hurt. (Is there a feeling I haven't felt?) in the immediate aftermath and these emotions continue to visit me as the time unfolds," Merkelis wrote in Sunday night's letter.

Next, Merkelis informed staff that he is collecting cards and letters for McGrath, who remains under a criminal investigation by the New Lenox Police Department. Providence has not addressed whether the allegations against McGrath surround any former or current Providence students. The statement that Providence issued just before Christmas only stated that McGrath's removal at Providence was "in response to an investigation by civil authorities of an allegation of potentially inappropriate material on his mobile device."

Since then, McGrath, 71, has been kicked off the Providence campus in New Lenox.

"Father McGrath has moved out of the friary and is officially retired as the President of Providence Catholic," Merkelis wrote staff. "Any cards or notes can be placed in his mailbox and I will make sure they are delivered to him."

Providence has not disclosed Father McGrath's whereabouts at this point, and McGrath has made no public statements addressing the allegations surrounding his ouster. Besides leading Providence, McGrath has said Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mokena during the past several years, and his weekly homilies are uploaded to the St. Mary's website here. St. Mary's School has been a feeder into Providence Catholic.

Meanwhile, "We continue to cooperate with the proper authorities, and in the future, I will share whatever can be shared with you at an appropriate time and in light of the circumstances,"' Merkelis wrote his Providence staff. "I am blessed to work with a talented, devoted and competent Response Team representing the Augustinians in this matter; the same can be said of the men and women representing the Diocese of Joliet."

Patch's coverage of the ongoing McGrath scandal, as some people at Providence have called it, has stirred a variety of reactions from people.

RELATED: Father McGrath And A Mysterious Rectory Death: Ferak Column

RELATED: Ousted Providence Priest, McGrath, Has Defenders, Foes

One reader wrote Patch on Monday, "Keep hammering away at this. The longer the silence goes on, the fouler the stench gets.The public is ENTITLED to all of the facts. Now. Good luck!"

But another reader had an opposite viewpoint.

Here is an excerpt of that person's email:

What is the purpose of your article.....to cause further injury to the school and the Catholic church. The school indicated compromising data was found on his cell. They acted quickly, and he is gone. Apparently no criminal activity or he would already have been arrested and booked ... Only student parents need to be further informed of the situation, not you.

This week, Providence Catholic website posted a news bulletin announcing that a party will be held in downtown Chicago at the Drake Hotel "to recognize the contribution of Fr. Merk to Providence Catholic and the larger Midwest Providence."

That event is set for Friday night, April 27. It's being heralded as the fifth annual Augustinian Gala and is open to Augustinian friars, friends and benefactors, the news release stated.

"Please check your schedules and consider joining us for this wonderful occasion! If you are not able to come, you can also honor Fr. Merkelis through a donation in his name."

Image of Father Merkelis via Providence Catholic website