Father Christopher Ciomek of St. Peter Damian Parish in Bartlett, Illinois, has been removed from the ministry as a result of allegations of child sex abuse

He is accused of abusing a minor approximately 30 years ago, during his years as a seminarian. The pastor has previously served at St. Monica Parish in Chicago, St. Theresa Parish in Palatine, the faculty of the Mundelein Seminary, and was an Associate Dean of Formation and Director of Chicago Seminarians. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) encourages victims of Fr. Ciomek and other priests to come forward: “Given that the average age at which a survivor comes forward is 52, and the fact that one allegation being made public often spurs others who were abused to speak out, we would not be surprised if more people come forward with allegations against Fr. Ciomek.” This one courageous victim has come forward, but there are many more victims of childhood sexual abuse that suffer in silence. Whether the abuse was caused by this priest, or other priests, victims should come forward to receive justice and closure.