The Rev. Matthew DeBlock, former principal of St. Edward Central Catholic Excessive Faculty in Elgin and one-time vicar at parishes in Elgin, West Dundee and Gilberts, is being investigated for sexual misconduct with a minor whereas he labored at a highschool in Rockford.
A information launch from the Diocese of Rockford mentioned the allegations stem from DeBlock’s time as an assistant principal at Boylan Central Catholic Excessive Faculty from 2012 to 2014.
He has been faraway from the ministry whereas the investigation is carried out by civil and church authorities, the discharge mentioned. No particulars on the character of the accusations have been disclosed.
The entire parishes and faculties at which DeBlock has labored since being ordained in 2008 have been notified of the state of affairs, in accordance with an announcement issued by Bishop David Malloy, who oversees the Rockford diocese.
DeBlock’s first ministerial task was as a parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in Elgin from 2008 to 2012 throughout which period he was additionally a part-time instructor and later assistant principal at St. Edward highschool, a biography printed in The Observer newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford mentioned. The article was revealed when DeBlock was ordained a diocesan priest in 2021.
After serving as assistant principal at Boylan highschool from 2012 to 2014, DeBlock turned the principal/religious director at St. Edward’s from 2015-2016 whereas additionally serving as a parochial vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in West Dundee and St. Mary Parish in Gilberts from 2014 to 2015.
He served because the administrator and later the pastor of these two church buildings in 2015 and 2016, the biography mentioned.
Most lately, he was the affiliate pastor at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles whereas serving as an affiliate pastor at Boylan.
Penny Wiegert, a spokeswoman for the Rockford diocese, mentioned he additionally as soon as labored at Sacred Coronary heart Church in Marengo.
“All parishes the place he was beforehand assigned acquired a letter of notification in regard to Father DeBlock and the data was additionally revealed in The Observer, the weekly Catholic newspaper for the Diocese of Rockford. Presently the matter stays underneath investigation,” Wiegert mentioned.
Malloy’s assertion mentioned, “Accordingly, and in success of the dedication of the Bishops of america articulated within the Constitution for the Safety of Youngsters and Younger Folks, Father DeBlock has resigned as parochial vicar at St. John Neumann in St. Charles the place he has been assigned, and he has been prohibited from partaking in ministry at St. John Neumann (or another parish/college/diocesan entity) whereas this investigation is underway.
“Whereas all individuals are harmless till confirmed responsible, this motion is critical to meet our promise to guard all these in our care. We’ll present updates on this matter as extra data turns into obtainable topic to our potential to take action throughout an ongoing investigation.”
DeBlock was born in Princeton, and attended Batavia Excessive Faculty, the College of Illinois in Urbana Champaign, St. Gregory the Nice Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, his biography mentioned.
Mike Danahey is a contract reporter for The Courier-Information.
Initially Revealed:
