BOSTON (MA)
Boston Globe
October 25, 2005
BOSTON --A priest who was suspended after being accused of sexual abuse has been reinstated after the allegation could not be substantiated, the Boston Archdiocese announced Tuesday.
An archdiocesan board that reviews such complaints determined that the allegation against the Rev. John H. Flynn was unsubstantiated.
Flynn, now 79 and retired, was placed on administrative leave in 2002 after the archdiocese received an allegation that he had molested a 6-year-old girl in 1978 while he was working at St. Paul Church in Wellesley.
"After careful review of the information available regarding the complaint, the Review Board determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated. In light of this finding, Archbishop O'Malley has lifted all restrictions on Father Flynn's exercise of public ministry," the archdiocese said in a statement issued Tuesday.
"The Archbishop reiterates his concern for all persons impacted by the tragedy of sexual abuse, as well as his firm intention to resolve cases of this type as expeditiously as possible, in a manner that is just for all parties concerned."