GLENSIDE (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By Jeremy Roebuck
Inquirer Staff Writer
“We are born from the darkness,” read the sign out front at St. Luke the Evangelist Church on Saturday, a reference to the Catholic teachings of original sin and salvation.
But a day after the Glenside parish’s popular pastor, Msgr. Michael Flood, was cleared to return to his post, the message could have described the mood of his waiting congregants as well.
“It’s like we’ve been under this dark cloud,” said John Ginty, 48, a lifelong parishioner. “I can’t wait to see him again and give him a big hug.”
Flood, 72, was one of three priests reinstated Friday after archdiocesan officials cleared them of allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct with minors. And though the monsignor did not attend Saturday Mass in his parish – the first since his restoration to active ministry – his presence permeated the service.
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