Archdiocese of Chicago Clears Priest's Return to North Side Parish

By LAUREN TRAUT

A Catholic priest will return to his role as pastor of a Lake View parish after being cleared of a sexual misconduct allegation.

Rev. Michael W. O'Connell in December 2013 was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor while serving locally 20 years ago. He voluntarily stepped down from serving at St. Alphonsus Parish at 1429 W. Wellington Ave.

Investigations by the Cook County Sheriff's office and Archdiocese of Chicago concluded the allegation was false.

He will return to ministry on Holy Thursday, April 17.

"After a careful process always motivated by the need to protect children, did not find reason to suspect that sexual abuse of a minor had occurred and recommended that Fr. O’Connell be returned to active ministry," reads a statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The alleged sexual misconduct was reported to have happened while O'Connell served at Our Lady of the Woods Parish in Orland Park. He was pastor at Our Lady of the Woods from 1997 until 2012.

The allegation was received by the Archdiocesan Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review and reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Cook County State’s Attorney.  

In compliance with the requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Archdiocese conducted an investigation of the allegation. The Archdiocese also cooperated with Cook County Sheriff's officers, who conducted an independent investigation.

"The Cardinal joins the bishops and priests and laity of the Archdiocese in welcoming Fr. O’Connell, who has patiently accepted the restrictions on his ministry, to full participation in the life of the Archdiocese as one of our priests in good standing," reads the statement.

"The abuse of any child is a crime and a sin. The Archdiocese encourages anyone who has been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious, lay employee or volunteer, to come forward."

Barbara Blaine, founder and president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called Cardinal Francis George’s decision to allow Fr. O’Connell to return to his job “disappointing and surprising.”

She hoped that other child sex abuse victims would not be discouraged by the turn in Fr. O’Connell’s case.

“We have met this victim and find him very credible,” Blaine said in a news advisory. “We've seen dozens of cases across the country in which Catholic officials have reinstated an accused child molesting cleric only to later oust him permanently.”

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