Bishop John Brungardt will resume his duties as the Bishop of the Diocese of Dodge City, now that an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse has concluded, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced Wednesday.

A press release notes that Bishop Brungardt stepped aside from his duties for a 14-month period after the allegation was made. He “voluntarily withdrew from public ministry to facilitate the investigation of the allegation. During  that period, the allegation was fully investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, following which civil authorities declined prosecution.”

The archbishop notes that following the KBI investigation, church authorities conducted their own separate investigation of the allegation.

“The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican has now determined that the allegation against Bishop Brungardt is not supported by the evidence and the case against him has been dismissed.

“Bishop Brungardt has vigorously denied the allegation throughout, and he fully cooperated with both the civil and Church investigations. Throughout this entire 14-month period, Bishop Brungardt has been entitled to the presumption of innocence under both civil and Church law.”

According to the statement, Bishop Brungardt has expressed gratitude to Bishop Gerald Vincke of Salina, who served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dodge City during his voluntary absence.

“Now that Bishop Brungardt will be taking up his duties again, he has also expressed his appreciation for the thoroughness of both investigations and his eagerness to resume public ministry, ‘serving Almighty God and the good people of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City.’ At the same time, Bishop Brungardt urges everyone ‘to pray for and listen to all victims of sexual abuse.’”