DALLAS (TX)
Morning News
July, 2, 2019
By David Tarrant
The Dallas Catholic Diocese has added a new name to its list of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse of children.
The diocese, embroiled in scrutiny over its handling of past sexual abuse allegations, posted on its website over the weekend that Peter Barusseau was accused of abusing a minor while serving in North Texas. The diocese’s short news item says the alleged abuse occurred in 1960. Diocese leaders did not release any further details about the alleged abuse.
According to church records, from 1960-61, Barusseau substituted for other priests at Immaculate Conception in Denton, St. Anthony in Dallas and St. Mary in Sherman.
Born in 1909, Barusseau is believed to be dead, but the diocese is attempting to confirm his date of death with his home diocese in France.
The diocese first released its list of 31 credibly accused clergy — both living and dead — on Jan. 31. The list was part of a joint transparency effort by all Texas dioceses. Combined, those lists included nearly 300 names of clergy members who have been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of children since 1950.
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