Morganfield Priest to Be Suspended

Tristate Homepage
June 10, 2016

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The Catholic Diocese of Owensboro is set to suspend another priest this year.

Eyewitness News obtains a letter written by Bishop William Medley about an investigation into allegations made against Father Freddie Byrd, the Priest at St. Ann's Parish in Morganfield.

The Bishop, saying in the letter, that an adult has come forward alleging Father Byrd had inappropriate contact with him back in 1983, when the man was just 17 years old.

According to the letter, Father Byrd was not a Priest at the time.

The Bishop continued in the letter saying:

"Even though this allegation dates back more than thirty years, It is the policy of the Catholic Church in the United States that even one substantiated allegation of abuse is cause for removal from the public ministry. We cannot consider this allegation substantiated, but the Diocesan Review Board believes this allegation to have sufficient merit to act immediately."

Father Richard Powers will serve as Administrator Pro Tempore at St. Ann's for the coming months.

The Owensboro Diocese recently suspended Fr. Gerarld Baker earlier this year amid allegations.

We will continue to follow this story.