MELROSE PARK, Ill. (WLS) — The Chicago Archdiocese said Wednesday that it has reinstated a local priest after an investigation determined an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor at a church in Melrose Park about 40 years ago was found to be unsubstantiated.

Father Curtis Lambert had stepped away from ministry during an investigation into the accusation, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, announced in letters to families of multiple parishes in July.

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Lambert had been accused of sexual abuse against a minor while he was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in Melrose Park approximately 40 years ago, the Archdiocese said in July. The priest denied the allegation.

The Archdiocese said “civil authorities and our Independent Review Board (IRB) completed the process of investigating the allegation… After receiving the results of the thorough investigation, the IRB determined that there is not a reasonable cause to believe Father Lambert sexually abused the person making the accusation.”

Father Lambert has been reinstated to the ministry, effective immediately, Cardinal Cupich said.

The priest has previously worked in various capacities for St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish, St. Basil Visitation Parish, Immaculate Conception and St. Michael Parish, St. Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St. Peter Damian Catholic Church, Sacred Heart and St. Eulalia Parish and St. Thomas Becket Parish.

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