Fr. Thomas D. Sykes
Also known as Damascene Sykes. Sykes is believed to be the “Fr. Thomas S.” cited in a 12/31/1987 San Jose Mercury News article. Thomas S. was removed from the Orlando diocese in 1976 after the parents of a 16-year-old boy complained that he had molested their son. Father S. was transferred to a Richmond, VA parish. Thomas Sykes was laicized and married. He testified in the Rev. Authenrieth matter. Settlement in the early 1990s. Sykes died in 2002. The Diocese announced in a 2/2007 that a new credible allegation of abuse occurring in the 1970s had recently been received. Civil suit filed 7/20/2011. Added to the Richmond diocese’s list 2/27/2019. Included on the Orlando diocese’s list 10/6/2021 of credibly accused.
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