A Chicago priest has been asked to step aside by Cardinal Blasé Cupich after new allegations of sexual abuse were received by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Father Patrick Lee, who serves as the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the city’s Lake View East neighborhood, will live away from the parish while the allegation is investigated, according to a statement from the Chicago Archdiocese.
The alleged sexual abuse of a minor took place in 1979 while Lee was at St. Christopher Parish in suburban Midlothian. The allegation was reported to DCFS and the Cook County State’s Attorney, and the person making the allegation has been offered services by the church’s Victim Assistance Ministry.
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“The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and encourages anyone who feels they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee, to come forward,” the archdiocese said in a statement.
Lee also served as a pastor for nearly two decades at Immaculate Conception Parish, located in the city’s Old Town neighborhood.
