Priest Cleared of Abuse Returns to Applause

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: NEWTON, Mass., Nov. 24

Msgr. Michael Smith Foster made an emotional return to his former Roman Catholic parish today for the first time since he was cleared of sexually abusing a child.

"By your prayers you clothed my spirit," Monsignor Foster told parishioners. "By your concern through letters and calls and action you welcomed me into your lives when I felt like I had been cast into prison."

The parish church, Sacred Heart, was filled for Mass with people who had steadfastly supported Monsignor Foster after he was accused of sexual abuse and twice suspended. He was reinstated last month.

As Monsignor Foster made his way to the altar, shaking hands and greeting parishioners, the congregation applauded.

"You stopped what was happening in your lives and gave your time and support to me," Monsignor Foster told former members of a youth group and former altar servers who had countered the accusations against him. "I am overwhelmed by your loving support."

The archdiocese is delighted to have Monsignor Foster back in full ministry, a spokeswoman, Donna Morrissey, said. "We're going to work together to make sure we maintain and respect his good name," Ms. Morrissey added.

In August, a former altar boy, Paul R. Edwards, accused Monsignor Foster of sexually molesting him in his rectory bedroom at Sacred Heart parish between 1980 and 1985.

Monsignor Foster's case brought charges from the clergy and the laity that the archdiocese had mishandled his case and had failed to protect priests.

Monsignor Foster took a leave of absence and was suspended from pastoral duties. But doubt was cast on the charges when acquaintances of Mr. Edwards pointed out factual errors in his account.

His lawyer withdrew from the case soon afterward, and the lawsuit was dropped on Sept. 3.

Monsignor Foster was reinstated, but the archdiocese reopened its investigation because of "new information" from Mr. Edwards, and suspended Monsignor Foster again.

An internal review determined that Mr. Edwards's complaint was unsubstantiated. On Oct. 30, the archdiocese restored Monsignor Foster to his post as judicial vicar and presiding judge of the Archdiocese of Boston's Metropolitan Tribunal, which handles annulments and issues of canon law.

On Nov. 18, Monsignor Foster stood with Cardinal Bernard F. Law at the altar of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross as the cardinal publicly welcomed him back to active ministry.