Catholic priest in Mass. accused of sexually abusing a child

A priest in the Boston area has been put on administrative leave, as law enforcement and church officials investigate recent accusations that he allegedly sexually assaulted a child two decades ago.

In an Aug. 31 story, The Boston Globe reports a priest has been accused of sexually assaulting a child 20 years ago. Rev. Frederick Barr has been placed on administrative leave and Rev. Raymond Kiley will serve as administrator of St. Patrick’s Parish in Watertown, Mass. as the archdiocese works to resolve the case. The Archdiocese of Boston notified law enforcement about the charge and launched its own internal investigation. “Hundreds of cases of sexual abuse by the clergy have troubled the Catholic Church in recent years,” wrote the Globe’s Michael Corcoran. “The church has sought to be more transparent about allegations…after decades of being hidden or handled quietly.” Barr attended St. John’s School of Theology-Seminary in Minnesota and was ordained as a deacon in 1976. Barr has done ministry work in a number of churches in the Boston area including St. James the Great Parish in Wellesley, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Boxborough, and St. Patrick’s Parish in Natick. The assault allegedly took place between 1985 and 1990 when Barr worked at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Belmont. The statement released by the Archdiocese of Boston did not, however, specify where the alleged abuse took place. The Archdiocese of Boston's statement said in part:

The decision to place Fr. Barr on administrative leave represents the archdiocese’s commitment to the safety of all parties and does not represent a determination of [Barr’s] guilt or innocence as it pertains to this allegation. The archdiocese will work to resolve this case as expeditiously as possible and in a manner that is fair to all parties.

Because the investigation is ongoing, the archdiocese will not discuss specific details of the allegations. Moreover, it is the policy of the Boston Police Department to keep sexual assault cases classified, and will not confirm whether it is involved in the investigation of Rev. Barr.