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	Catholic Priest Accused of Abusing Child in 1985 By Randy Ludlow Columbus Dispatch January 20, 2009 http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/01/20/priest.html?sid=101 A Catholic priest has been removed from the ministry over an allegation he sexually abused a child while serving at a Newark church in 1985. Father Frederick A. Loyd was removed from active ministry after officials of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus investigated a complaint and found the abuse allegation was credible. The sexual abuse allegedly occurred while Loyd served at St. Francis de Sales Church in Newark, where he was associate pastor from 1983 to 1987, the church announced. Bishop Fredrick F. Campbell removed Loyd from the ministry on Dec. 10. The church is studying options to permanently remove him since its preliminary conclusion is not proof of guilt, the release said. The church's news release said the complaint was the first "specific allegation of this nature" it had received about Loyd, 64, who retired from active ministry in 2006. He had been a priest in the Columbus Diocese since 1970. A message seeking comment from Loyd was left at his Columbus home. Church officials said they notified Newark police of the alleged abuse. However, Sgt. Barry Connell said officers never investigated because the age of the case precludes prosecution. Ohio law requires most felony charges to be filed within six years of the offense. Loyd has served at several Columbus churches, taught at Bishop Hartley High School and has served as a chaplain at the former Doctors Hospital North, Mount Carmel East Hospital and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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