CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times
BY FRANCINE KNOWLES Religion Reporter April 15, 2014
A Chicago Catholic priest, who had been accused of sexually abusing a minor nearly 20 years ago, is being reinstated to active ministry after a Cook County Sheriff’s office investigation found the allegation was unfounded, the Archdiocese of Chicago said Tuesday.
Father Michael W. O’Connell will resume his role on Thursday as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago, the archdiocese said.
O’Connell agreed to step aside from his parish on Dec. 4, 2013, when the formal allegation was presented to officials of the Archdiocese of Chicago, alleging he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor while assigned to Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Orland Park almost 20 years ago.
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