According to CBS News Chicago:

Cardinal Blase Cupich sent a letter to St. Josaphat Parish and School at Southport and Belden avenues, informing the parish that he asked [Father] 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….

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.

The full letter from Cupich to the parish can be read here.

A few thoughts…

First, I don’t see any problem with an “examination of conscience” pamphlet that includes the question(s) Have I looked at pornography, engaged in masturbation, or sexual behaviors with another person? A number of parishes have such pamphlets near their confessionals, even if the wording varies depending on the pamphlet and parish. These questions are not inappropriate as worded. Catholics should do an examination of conscience prior to confession.

As to Nyberg paraphrasing some of the questions and directing them toward select students: that could be problematic depending on his own wording and why he chose to ask the questions of some students but not others. Also, did he ask these students to go into unnecessary detail about their sins? If he did, yes, such questions would indeed be inappropriate. But based on the CBS report, it’s not clear he’s accused of doing that per se. (Do you touch yourself when you look at hot guys? is not appropriate wording for a priest to use – if the quote is accurate.)

The most serious and troubling allegation is that Nyberg touched several students inappropriately. This is what really has to be scrutinized by investigators. We know that Nyberg “strenuously denies” the allegations, but does he deny that any touching whatsoever occurred, or that touching of some sort did occur, but it was not of an inappropriate nature? Also, are the students being entirely truthful about what occurred?

Unfortunately, I don’t have the utmost confidence in either DCFS or the archdiocese’s independent review board to investigate this matter properly.

And hopefully Nyberg isn’t being accused because he’s seen as too conservative by some of the students or parents.

Stay tuned.