The Catholic Diocese of Owensboro has reinstated a priest who was
suspended after being accused of sexually abusing a juvenile in the
1980s.The Diocesan Review Board reviewed the complaint against Father Freddie Byrd and decided there was not enough information to substantiate the allegation.
The Messenger-Inquirer reports that Byrd was reinstated last week to active ministry at St. Ann Church in Morganfield, after being suspended in June.
The complaint to the diocese in western Kentucky accused Byrd of engaging in inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old in 1983, at a time when Byrd was not yet a priest.
The diocese alerted law enforcement.
Kentucky State Police spokesman Corey King says authorities did not conduct an investigation.