On October 26, 2016, the Archdiocese of San Francisco presented a letter about its investigation into Fr. Illo’s interactions with summer school students.
Star of the Sea parents are confused, frustrated and angry with this outcome. The investigation was wholly inadequate and the letter presenting its findings is condescending and dismissive of our serious concerns.
Within days, 149 parents, representing the overwhelming majority of the school families, signed the following petition. More are coming forward every day and we will continue to collect signatures. This morning, the petition was sent to the Archbishop and to the Papal Nuncio in Washington, D.C.
We hope and pray that the Archbishop will hear us and remove Fr. Illo from Star of the Sea Parish.
October 28, 2016
Most Reverend Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone,
We, the parents of Star of the Sea School, respectfully request that you immediately remove Fr. Joseph Illo from Star of the Sea Parish and direct him to have no further contact with the children, parents or students of Star of the Sea School. There is no opportunity for reconciliation. This is a matter of the safety and well-being of our children.
We ask this step be taken for the following reasons.
· We are aware of Fr. Illo’s history of emotional abuse and mishandling of reports of sexual abuse of a minor in a previous parish.
· His first year at Star of the Sea included numerous incidents that were severely distressing to children and families. We were grateful that this resulted in an arrangement where Fr. Illo was directed to have no relationship with the children, parents or faculty of Star of the Sea School.
· Despite this directive, Fr. Illo invited children off of the school yard into the church and the sacristy. This happened multiple times, in groups as small as three. Given that the Church has previously noted concerns about Fr. Illo (regarding the issue at his parish in Modesto), these actions have left parents confused and concerned about his intent and decision making skills.
· The report published this morning concludes an investigation was limited in scope, based on interviews with only two of the families involved and sides heavily with testimony from individuals at the parish. Many parents of students involved have only recently learned of the incident. The report at best minimizes, if not outright dismisses, the severity of the acts.
We, the undersigned, ask you urgently and humbly for your intervention.
Star of the Sea parents are confused, frustrated and angry with this outcome. The investigation was wholly inadequate and the letter presenting its findings is condescending and dismissive of our serious concerns.
Within days, 149 parents, representing the overwhelming majority of the school families, signed the following petition. More are coming forward every day and we will continue to collect signatures. This morning, the petition was sent to the Archbishop and to the Papal Nuncio in Washington, D.C.
We hope and pray that the Archbishop will hear us and remove Fr. Illo from Star of the Sea Parish.
October 28, 2016
Most Reverend Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone,
We, the parents of Star of the Sea School, respectfully request that you immediately remove Fr. Joseph Illo from Star of the Sea Parish and direct him to have no further contact with the children, parents or students of Star of the Sea School. There is no opportunity for reconciliation. This is a matter of the safety and well-being of our children.
We ask this step be taken for the following reasons.
· We are aware of Fr. Illo’s history of emotional abuse and mishandling of reports of sexual abuse of a minor in a previous parish.
· His first year at Star of the Sea included numerous incidents that were severely distressing to children and families. We were grateful that this resulted in an arrangement where Fr. Illo was directed to have no relationship with the children, parents or faculty of Star of the Sea School.
· Despite this directive, Fr. Illo invited children off of the school yard into the church and the sacristy. This happened multiple times, in groups as small as three. Given that the Church has previously noted concerns about Fr. Illo (regarding the issue at his parish in Modesto), these actions have left parents confused and concerned about his intent and decision making skills.
· The report published this morning concludes an investigation was limited in scope, based on interviews with only two of the families involved and sides heavily with testimony from individuals at the parish. Many parents of students involved have only recently learned of the incident. The report at best minimizes, if not outright dismisses, the severity of the acts.
We, the undersigned, ask you urgently and humbly for your intervention.