Joliet diocese reinstates priest accused of abuse

JOLIET, Ill. -- A priest who was removed from his church because of a sexual abuse allegation that dates back more than 30 years has been reinstated, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet said.

The Rev. John F. Barrett, 69, who was placed on leave last month from the Mary Queen of Heaven parish in Elmhurst, was reinstated on Saturday.

Barrett has maintained his innocence, claiming that the charge made by his accuser in 1991 was never substantiated. The diocese's independent review committee reached a similar conclusion after a monthlong re-examination of the allegation against Barrett, Bishop Joseph Imesch said in a written statement.

Imesch said the committee could not substantiate the allegation by getting more information from the accuser or finding evidence to support the accusation.

Barrett could not be reached for comment.

The committee's reinvestigation included interviews with several people who worked with Barrett at the time of the alleged incident, Imesch said.

Six other priests associated with the Joliet Diocese have been suspended from their ministries because of past allegations of sexual abuse.