On April 18, Cardinal Cupich sent letters to parishes where Father James Flynn served informing of his reinstatement. Those parishes were: Holy Name of Mary (now unified with Sts. Peter and Paul and St. John de La Salle churches to form Our Lady of Kibeho Parish), Our Lady of Mercy (now unified with Resurrection and Immaculate Heart of Mary churches), Our Lady of the Mount (now unified with Mary Queen of Heaven to form Our Lady, the Mystical Rose Parish), St. Margaret of Scotland (now unified with St. Kilian and St. Thaddeus churches to form Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus Parish) and St. Priscilla. Flynn was asked to step away from ministry last September following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. “The allegation was alleged to have occurred 45 years ago when Father Flynn was assigned to Resurrection Parish,” the letter stated. “In keeping with our child protection policies, I directed Father Flynn to remain out of ministry while the allegation was investigated, and he has cooperated with this direction. “As is required by our child protection policies, the allegation was reported to civil authorities. The person making the allegation was offered the services of our Victim Assistance Ministry. “On April 15, the Independent Review Board of the Archdiocese of Chicago met to consider the results of its investigation and determined that there is not a reasonable cause to believe that Father Flynn sexually abused a minor. The Board recommended that the file be closed and Father Flynn be returned to ministry. Therefore, after considering their recommendations, I am restoring Father Flynn to ministry, effective immediately,” the letter said. “It is crucial that you know nothing is more important than the welfare of the children entrusted to our care. The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward.” Complete information about reporting sexual abuse can be found at archchicago.org.
Papal commission to submit first safeguarding report, launches study group The pope’s commission for advancing the Catholic Church’s efforts to prevent the abuse of vulnerable persons is due to submit its first annual report on the state of safeguarding in the church.
Father John Clemens reinstated to ministry On June 20, Cardinal Cupich sent letters to Our Lady of Hope Mission and Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish informing them of the reinstatement of Father John Clemens.
Masses held to pray for those harmed by clergy sexual abuse Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Chicago gathered at three Masses to pray for healing for those harmed by clergy sex abuse of minors.