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The parish priest of Christ the King Parish in Beverly was reinstated after officials discovered that an allegation that he sexually assaulted someone 37 years ago could not be proven, Cardinal Blase Cupich said on Friday in a letter to the community.
Reverend Larry Sullivan has been invited to retire from the parish at 9325 S. Hamilton Ave. in April after an accusation that he and someone else attacked a woman in an alley in 1984 before leaving for seminary when he was 18, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
A thorough review of this case by the Archdiocesan Child Abuse Investigation and Review Office and an external investigator, including multiple unsuccessful attempts to obtain information from the accuser, concludes that the charge against it, which would have taken place before he entered the seminary, cannot be substantiated, Cupich wrote.
Father Sullivan fully cooperated with the investigation, Cupich wrote, adding that Sullivan was to be reinstated as pastor with immediate effect.
In April, Sullivan was asked to live away from the parish as investigators examined a woman’s allegations in a video posted to TikTok, claiming that Sullivan and another person followed her down an alley and assaulted her sexually in 1984.
After the video was posted, Sullivan emailed his parishioners admitting he made unwelcome verbal comments to a fast-food restaurant worker in 1984 when he was 18. But he denied any physical assault.
Cupich thanked the community on Friday for their patience while authorities investigated. It has been a difficult time for your parish and school communities and everyone involved, he wrote.
Cupich said he would share his letter with all Archdiocesan employees and ask pastors to provide it to their parishioners so that Sullivan’s good reputation can be restored.
Healing now must be the way forward for all of us, Cupich wrote. Father Sullivan shares this sentiment and you can honor it by doing all you can to ensure that a spirit of reconciliation and oneness prevails as you move forward.
In February, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Archdiocese had yet to release the full list of priests accused of sexual misconduct, although Cupich demanded a full account of all clergy who served. ‘subject to allegations of child sexual abuse in its territory, which covers Cook and Lake counties.
Contributor: Sam Kelly
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