Cardinal Cupich reinstates Father Larry Sullivan following investigation

In a letter to the communities of Christ the King parish and school, 9235 S. Hamilton Ave., on May 14, Cardinal Cupich announced that he had reinstated Father Lawrence Sullivan, pastor, following an investigation into an allegation dating from 1984, when he was 18, that he had sexually assaulted a minor.

Sullivan also serves as director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“In keeping with our procedures, Father Sullivan was asked to step aside from his pastoral duties until a thorough investigation could be completed.  This has been a difficult time for your parish and school communities and all involved,” Cardinal Cupich wrote in the letter.

“A thorough review of this matter by the Archdiocesan Office of Child Abuse Investigations and Review and an outside investigator, including multiple unsuccessful attempts to obtain information from the accuser, concludes that the accusation against him, which was alleged to have occurred prior to his entering the seminary, cannot be substantiated. Therefore, I am reinstating Father Sullivan as your pastor effective immediately,” the cardinal wrote.

Sullivan fully cooperated with the investigation, Cardinal Cupich added, writing, “He has steadfastly reaffirmed the imperative for us as a church to keep the protection and safety of our children as our priority.”

In a statement emailed to Chicago Catholic on May 17, Sullivan said, “It was wonderful to be back at Christ the King parish this past weekend. The kindness of family, friends and parishioners has been a true blessing to me.  It was also a wonderful example of God’s love at work in the words and actions of others. I feel incredibly blessed to have the honor of serving God’s people as a priest and am happily back doing what I love.”