Orland Priest Under Investigation For Allegedly Filming Students

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park priest has been asked to step aside amid allegations he video-recorded students during one of his classes, the Archdiocese said in a letter to parishioners.

Fr. Jason Suero, associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi and chaplain at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School, denies the allegation, Cardinal Blase Cupich said in the letter dated Nov. 23, but has agreed to cooperate while an investigation takes place. Suero has served in both places since 2019.

"I am extremely grateful to those who raised concerns and to the school personnel who acted promptly in reporting them," Cupich wrote in the letter to St. Francis of Assisi parishioners. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School families should have received a similar letter.

The act of recording the students would violate the Archdiocese's Standards of Behavior.

"Please keep in mind this is an allegation and has not yet been founded," Cupich wrote. "... our Victim Assistance Ministry has reached out to the school, and the allegation was reported to civil authorities."

Following an investigation by civil authorities, the Archdiocese will conduct its own investigation and inform parishioners and school families of the results, the letter reads.

"I want to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount concern," Cupich wrote. "The Archdiocese of Chicago takes seriously all allegations related to violations of our Standards of Behavior and asks that they be reported.

"Reporters will be received with dignity and respect.

To report abuse, please refer to the Archdiocesan website at www.archchicago.org.