March 25, 2006

Priest is named in 1970s-80s abuse case

HOUSTON (TX)
Houston Chronicle

By RICHARD VARA

A priest serving in a Midtown parish was removed from duty by his religious order after an allegation of decades-old sexual abuse surfaced in Tarrant County.

The Rev. Joseph Tu Ngoc Nguyen was removed from Holy Rosary Catholic Church in late February after then-Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza learned of the allegation, said Annette Gonzales Taylor, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Fiorenza, who retired March 1, contacted Tu's order, the Southern Dominican Friars based in Metairie, La., and that group took action, Taylor said Friday.

Holy Rosary parishioners were informed of Tu's suspension in a letter read at Mass, said Regina Wedig, spokeswoman and general counsel for the Dominican order.

Posted by kshaw at March 25, 2006 07:50 AM