CHICAGO (IL)
CBS TV
June 23, 2019
A priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Chicago celebrated Mass for the first time Sunday since being cleared of sexual abuse allegations. He was asked to step aside from his duties in January pending the outcome of the investigation.
Father Patrick Lee was greeted with hugs and a standing ovation during services at the Lake View church, 720 W. Belmont.
Cardinal Blase Cupich said Lee cooperated with civil authorities and the Archdiocese of Chicago during the investigation.
Big applause at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lakeview for return of reinstated Chicago priest Father Patrick Lee. He was asked to step aside in Januray after being accused of child sex abuse. State officials & the archdiocese say claims were determined to be unfounded.
In an email sent last weekend to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Cupich said:
“These have been difficult days and months for you as a parish. You have shown great patience as each jurisdiction has completed its process. I thank you for doing so. Father Lee has also suffered, as you well know, but he has offered that suffering freely, convinced of the need for us as a Church to keep our word that the protection and safety of our children remains the priority.”
Lee was accused of sexually abusing a minor in 1979 while he was assigned to St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian.
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