Diocese says sexual misconduct allegations against priest date to 1988

The Associated Press - August 5, 2019 4:32 pm

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma says the alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor by a priest started shortly after the priest was ordained.

The diocese said in a statement Friday that “a non-frivolous allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor” against Father Joe Townsend date to his time as associate pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Tulsa from June 1988 to June 1991.

The statement says Townsend denies the allegation and is cooperating with an investigation.

 

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