Allegations of sexual abuse have been reviewed for the second time against an Aviston priest, and again he has been cleared to return to duty, Belleville Bishop Wilton D. Gregory announced Thursday.
The Rev. Daniel L. Friedman, 57, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, can return to public ministry Monday.
The Diocesan Fitness Review Board supplied Gregory with the recommendation to reinstate Friedman after a supplementary review of the allegation of sexual misconduct on Wednesday.
This was in light of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth adopted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in June. Gregory is president of the national group.
“I am very glad to be returning to ministry and to St. Francis Parish,” Friedman said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for all the prayers and support that I have received over these past months.”
