Chicago Catholic priest under investigation by DCFS over child molestation, exploitation allegations

A Roman Catholic priest in Lincoln Park is being investigated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for allegations of child molestation and exploitation, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Friday.

The priest, the Rev. Martin Nyberg, is currently an associate pastor at St. Josaphat Parish in Lincoln Park, but in a letter to parishioners, Cardinal Blase Cupich wrote that he has asked him to "step aside from ministry until civil authorities have completed their investigations and our Independent Review Board has presented its recommendations to me."

Nyberg was a deacon at St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge from June 1, 2023 to May 17, 2024 and an associate pastor at St. Josaphat Parish in Lincoln Park since July 1, 2024, according to letters Cupich wrote to the two parishes.

Nyberg "strenuously denies the allegations," Cupich wrote in his letters.

The archdiocese and St. Paul of the Cross reported the allegations to the state, and the Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation.

Neither Cupich nor the archdiocese detailed the nature of the allegations or where they were reported to have occurred, but they said the department categorized them as "child exploitation and child molestation during a public penance service."

Nyberg has agreed to cooperate with the investigation, Cupich wrote.

"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," Cupich wrote in the statement.