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(RNS)— A distinguished Roman Catholic priest has been reinstated to his south Chicago parish after an investigation discovered that abuse expenses in opposition to him weren’t credible.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, longtime pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church was suspended in October after the Archdiocese of Chicago acquired an allegation of abuse in opposition to him.
The archdiocesan Unbiased Overview Board and Workplace of Little one Abuse Investigation and Overview, with assist from exterior investigators, reviewed the allegations in opposition to Pfleger, Cardinal Blase Cupich instructed St. Sabina parishioners in a letter Saturday (Dec. 10).
“The Overview Board has concluded that there is no such thing as a motive to suspect Father Pfleger is responsible of those allegations,” he wrote.
Plefger had been accused of abuse as soon as earlier than and was suspended as the fees had been investigated, then reinstated. His most up-to-date suspension was based mostly on alleged occasions from three a long time in the past.
The 73-year-old priest, recognized for his activism in opposition to gun violence and for social justice, appeared at 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Sabina, a distinguished Black Catholic congregation, on Saturday, in line with the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
“This has been very painful,” Pfleger instructed the congregation. “Thanks on your love, on your help and your prayers.”
Members of St. Sabina and Pfleger had vehemently denied the allegations in opposition to him. Church members labeled the allegations as a non secular assault.
A lawyer for the alleged abuse survivor instructed the Solar-Occasions that the evaluate board’s discovering was hurtful to his shopper.
“We predict that the evaluate board’s discovering that the allegations had been unfounded will discourage different victims,” Hollander stated.
Cardinal Cupich acknowledged that Pfleger’s suspension had been arduous on St. Sabina.
“I wish to acknowledge that these months have taken an important toll on Fr. Mike and all of you, and I’m dedicated to do every part potential to see that his good identify is restored,” he wrote.
Cupich reminded the congregation concerning the pleasure of Christmas and recommended Pfleger as he returned to ministry. Pfleger is anticipated to handle the congregation throughout Mass at St. Sabina on Sunday (Dec. 11.)
“As I guarantee you of my prayers,” Cupich concluded, “I ask that you simply do all you possibly can to welcome again Father Pfleger in order that he can as soon as once more take up the ministry that has distinguished St. Sabina within the archdiocese and past.”
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