The Catholic Diocese of Owensboro has suspended the pastor of a Union County church who is accused of sexual misconduct decades ago. The Rev. Freddie Byrd was removed as pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Morganfield.
A complaint issued this month accuses Byrd of inappropriate sexual contact with a 17-year-old juvenile in 1983. According to a statement from the diocese, Byrd was not a priest at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. The diocese says it is conducting its own investigation and has notified law enforcement.
The Most Rev. William Medley, bishop for the Diocese of Owensboro, issued the following statement:
“Any allegation of the abuse of a minor is unsettling. The Diocese of Owensboro has offered support to the alleged victim in this case. In a sad moment such as this, it is always incumbent upon us to address any who may have ever suffered abuse within the embrace of the Catholic Church and invite them to come to us that we might offer support and assure that no one else is ever harmed.”
The Messenger-Inquirer reports Byrd’s name was mentioned in a suicide letter left by an Owensboro man who shot himself outside of Blessed Mother Catholic Church in 2008. The church was led by Byrd at the time of the death. The letter discussed sexual abuse, but never accused the pastor of misconduct. An investigation by the Owensboro Police Department cleared Byrd of any wrongdoing.
