August 18, 2005

Priest who served in Lexington diocese accused of sex abuse

LEXINGTON (KY)
Herald-Leader

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A priest who once served two parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington has been accused of sexual misconduct with a minor, the diocese said yesterday.

The diocese identified the priest as Father Pete Richardson, who was pastor at parishes in West Liberty and Owingsville from July 1994 to January 2004.

Yesterday, the diocese received a letter dated Aug. 11 to Lexington Bishop Ronald Gainer from Father Dan Dorsey, the president of the Cincinnati-based Glenmary Home Missioners.

Richardson now is the director of Glenmary's department of pastoral services, which is in Nashville.

The letter said the allegations were made Aug. 8, diocesan spokesman Tom Shaughnessy said, and that Dorsey had contacted the alleged victim and his parents as well as the county attorney for Morgan County in Kentucky.

Posted by kshaw at August 18, 2005 08:05 AM