CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Archdiocese of Chicago announced that an Associate Pastor accused of sexual abuse has been reinstated after a review of the allegation conducted by the Archdiocese Independent Review Board and its Office of Child Abuse Investigation.
Cardinal Blase Cupich said someone reported that the abuse had occurred when Rev. Paul Guzman, an associate priest at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park, was a layman, 25 years before he entered Mundelein Seminary to prepare for the priesthood, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Guzman had agreed to live away from the parish during the investigation, the Sun-Times reports.
In a letter to parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Cupich said there was "insufficient reason to suspect Father Guzman is guilty of this allegation."
"I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the great patience you and Fr. Guzman have shown in this moment of trial," Cupich wrote.
"Yet, Fr. Guzman is convinced of the need for us as a Church to keep our word that the safety of children remains our priority. At the same time, we must keep our commitment to do everything possible to restore Fr. Guzman’s good name."
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