March 07--Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich has assigned a new rector to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines, which hosts tens of thousands of pilgrims each year for devotions surrounding a Dec. 12 feast day.
The Rev. Esequiel Sanchez succeeds the Rev. Marco Mercado, who was removed from the ministry by Cupich last fall because of what the Archdiocese of Chicago said was an "inappropriate relationship with an adult man."
Sanchez was most recently pastor at St. Bede the Venerable on the Southwest Side. He is the son of Mexican immigrants and was ordained in 1995.
"The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe enjoys a special significance not only for the Mexican people, but for all of us in the Archdiocese of Chicago," Cupich said in a statement. "It is a holy place with a vibrant future and I know that Father Sanchez will continue to enhance and grow its mission of worship and inspiration."
Sanchez also has been director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics and in 1999 organized the first Noche de Gala, which recognizes Catholics who work in the Hispanic ministry.
Sanchez served on the late Cardinal Francis George's Administrative Council, the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and from 2006 to 2010 was a member and vice-chair of the Diocesan Priest Placement Board.
gwong@tribpub.com
