Raymond E. Goedert

Raymond Emil Goedert (October 15, 1927 – December 9, 2023) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church in the United States. Goedert served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois from 1991 to 2003.

Biography

Early years Raymond Goedert was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on October 15, 1927. He attended St. Giles Elementary School in Oak Park and Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago.

Goedert also served as a notary, vice officialis, judge of the tribunal, archdiocesan consultor, vicar for priests, archdiocesan director of NAIM, and pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Chicago.

Retirement and legacy Goedert sent his letter of retirement as auxiliary bishop of Chicago to John Paul II on January 24, 2003.

In 2008, as part of a legal settlement between the archdiocese and sexual abuse victims, Goedert answered questions in a deposition. He admitted that when he was vicar general of the archdiocese, he knew of sexual abuse allegations against 25 priests. However, he did not report any of them to police because the standard practice then was to forward the matter to the diocese attorneys. The attorneys would then tell him if a police report was necessary, but they never did.

Goedert served as vicar general under Bernardin and lived with Cardinal Francis George in the archbishop's mansion during his entire ministry. Goedert was with both men when they died and gave last rites to George.

Death Goedert died in Chicago on December 9, 2023, at the age of 96.