Chicago priest removed from parish amid child molestation claims
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A priest has been removed as the associate pastor of a Catholic school and church in Lincoln Park, amid an investigation into allegations of child exploitation and child molestation.
Cardinal Blase Cupich sent a letter to St. Josaphat Parish and School at Southport and Belden avenues, informing the parish that he asked Fr. Martin Nyberg to step aside from his duties after the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation into the allegations against him, involving a "public penance service," or a confession service.
"Father Nyberg, who has served your parish as associate pastor from July 1, 2024, strenuously denies the allegations," Cupich wrote. "In keeping with our policies, we reported the allegations to civil authorities and offered assistance to the accusers. I asked Father Nyberg to step aside from ministry until civil authorities have completed their investigations and our Independent Review Board has presented its recommendations to me."
Cupich said Nyberg is cooperating with the investigation.
CBS News Chicago has confirmed the school met with a group of parents Thursday about an eighth-grade confirmation retreat that took place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, two weeks ago. Parents shared that multiple students said they were asked inappropriate sexual questions at the aforementioned confession service during the two-day overnight retreat, which happened two weekends ago.
Both eighth graders at St. Josaphat and ninth graders serving as mentors attended the retreat and went to confession before Fr. Nyberg, parents said.
The questions that students felt were inappropriate appeared on a confession worksheet. They included: "Have I been sexually pure?" and "Have I looked at pornography, engaged in masturbation, or sexual behaviors with another person?"
But parents claimed when directly talking to the young people, Nyberg paraphrased some of the questions in ways that made them even more uncomfortable, saying to one, "Do you touch yourself when you look at hot guys?"
Nyberg did not ask all the students these questions, but picked and chose among both boys and girls on the retreat, parents said.
Several students later reported that they were also touched inappropriately by Nyberg.
Parents accuse school of trying to downplay what happened
Parents said several students came forward to the retreat leader about Nyberg's questions at confession. Parents said the retreat leader reprimanded the students in response, telling them they could not talk to him about it because confession is supposed to be confidential—and saying he would tell their high school of choice what they had said, and then they would never be accepted to that high school.
Meanwhile, Nyberg kept asking the students the questions about sexual behavior at confession even after the complaints, parents said.
Several students went on to tell their parents about what had happened, parents said.
In response, several parents said they emailed the pastor of St. Josaphat Parish the Monday and Tuesday after the students returned from the retreat, but it took more than a day to hear back. They said when they did hear back, the pastor apologized and said he had been busy.
Parents said the school also told them Fr. Nyberg was young, had made a mistake, and was sorry—and left it at that, parents said.
A meeting followed the Thursday after the students returned, where parents raised their voices—and one was in tears—as they heard stories about what the students on the retreat said had happened, parents said.
Parents also said school officials told them they had reached out to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services the Wednesday after the retreat, and said DCFS had declined to investigate. Parents said they then contacted DCFS separately, after which an investigation was launched.
According to a letter sent to parishioners at St. Josaphat, DCFS has opened an investigation into allegations they described as "child exploitation" and "child molestation."
DCFS confirmed independently to CBS News Chicago that it has launched an investigation.
Parents said school officials have now told them they may not talk to the school about what happened. They said they felt the school was trying to downplay the events at the retreat.
Nyberg was recently assigned to St. Josaphat
According to the parish website, Nyberg, 28, was assigned to St. Josaphat on July 1.
Nyberg was ordained as a priest just this past May, and was photographed with Cardinal Cupich for the occasion.
Nyberg was ordained as a priest just this past May, and was photographed with Cardinal Cupich for the occasion.
Nyberg also served as a deacon at St. Paul of the Cross Parish and School in Park Ridge from June 1, 2023, until May 17, 2024, and Cupich sent a letter to members of that parish informing them of the allegations against Nyberg.
"We appreciate your understanding that only with an impartial and thorough effort can we fulfill our duty to protect the young people in our care and, if the investigation warrants, restore the good name of the person so accused. We will provide you with more information on the investigation as it becomes available.
Cupich urged anyone who believes they have been sexually abused by a priest, deacon, or other church employee to come forward.
Information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the Archdiocese website at protect.archchicago.org.
When asked for an interview, the Archdiocese of Chicago said they would not be commenting beyond the letters issued by Cupich. A spokesperson said they will report on the outcome of the investigation into Nyberg's conduct once it is complete.