The senior priest was cleared of abuse allegations more than three years ago and has now returned to his duties.
Fr John McManus, from Portaferry, County Down, stepped aside in March 2011 during an investigation, according to the BBC.
He told his parishioners that he was "delighted and privileged" to be celebrating Mass with them again.
He said: "The last time I celebrated Mass in this Church of Saint Patrick was on 9 March 2011, Ash Wednesday, when I informed you that I had requested administrative leave from ministry for the duration of the necessary inquiries.
"Since then, I have been very much at home living here among you.
"I wish to thank especially my family, my neighbours and friends of all faiths and none for their support and kindness shown to me during this time."
An inquiry was launched in 2011 after a complaint was made to the Diocese of Down and Connor's child safeguarding office.
Fr McManus was a former press spokesperson for the diocese and had been a member of its committee that oversees the safeguarding of children.
Over the weekend he celebrated Mass in Portaferry and in Ballygalget.
Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor said that Fr McManus had co-operated fully with a "thorough investigation by the police and the Public Prosecution Service", as well as an inquiry within the Catholic Church.
The bishop told churchgoers that the "canonical judicial inquiry concluded that there were not and are not any safeguarding issues that prevent his return to ministry".
"I wish Fr John many happy years of fruitful ministry after the past four and a half years, during which time he has been supported by his family, by friends and by you, his parishioners."
