An associate pastor at an Evergreen Park church has been reinstated after a review by the Chicago Archdiocese found “insufficient reason” to suspect he is guilty of a sexual abuse allegation against a minor, according to Cardinal Blase Cupich.
In a letter dated Tuesday to parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer, Cupich said the Rev. Paul Guzman was being reinstated immediately.
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the great patience you and Fr. Guzman have shown in this moment of trial,” Cupich wrote. “Yet, Fr. Guzman is convinced of the need for us as a Church to keep our word that the safety of children remains our priority. At the same time, we must keep our commitment to do everything possible to restore Fr. Guzman’s good name.
In a March 13 letter, the cardinal said Guzman had been asked to step aside from the church while an investigation was underway concerning the allegation that he had sexually abused a minor some 40 years ago.
The cardinal said the allegation was received while Guzman was serving overseas on military duty. The alleged abuse took place when Guzman was a layman and 25 years before he entered Mundelein Seminary to prepare for the priesthood, according to the letter.
Guzman serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was stationed as a chaplain at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti in Africa, according to the Navy.
In the most recent letter, Cupich said the archdiocese Independent Review Board, assisted by the archdiocese Office of Child Abuse Investigation and Review and outside investigators, conducted a thorough review of the allegation.
“The Review Board has concluded that there is insufficient reason to suspect Father Guzman is guilty of this allegation. Having given careful consideration to their recommendation, which I accept, I now inform you that I am reinstating Father Guzman’s faculties and his position of Associate Pastor at Most Holy Redeemer Parish, effective immediately,” Cupich wrote.
Guzman was not immediately available Tuesday to comment regarding the cardinal’s letter.
Guzman was ordained in May 2012 by Cardinal Francis George and initially assigned to St. Damian in Oak Forest, according to the archdiocese. He worked for 10 years as a police officer with the U.S. Department of Justice and 17 years as a nurse before his ordination, according to the archdiocese.
mnolan@tribpub.com
