Diocese of Tyler TX - BishopAccountability.org

4 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Michael J. Barone

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Ordained for the Diocese of Dallas. Became a priest of the Diocese of Tyler when it was created in 1987. Retired in 2017. Placed on leave in 1/2019 by the Tyler diocese after information that Dallas would be including Barone on its list of accused. Case was to go before Tyler's Diocesan Review Board. Included in 4/2019 on the Tyler's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Sources:

Fr. Gustavo DeJesus Cuello

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tyler TX

Colombia native. Ordained for the Guayaquil archdiocese in Ecuador. Arrived in the Tyler diocese in 1995. Arrested in 1997; charged with having sex with 13-year-old girl. Released on bail and fled the country. Arrested in Ecuador in 7/2003 and extradited to Texas. Found guilty at trial in 10/2003. Sentenced to 50 years in prison. Cuello rejected the judge's sentence and opted to have a jury decide his sentence. In 10/2003 a jury sentenced him to life in prison. Civil suit settled for less than $100,000. Laicization announced in 11/2006. Included on the Tyler diocese's list of credibly accused.

Assignments:

Diocese of Tyler List 04.2019

Sources:

Fr. Abraham Mathews

Donate Photo

Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Tyler TX

From India. Ordained in Fuji. Arrived in the Tyler TX diocese from the West Indies (where he was transferred 5 times). A woman and her daughter filed suit in Tyler in 9/02 claiming Mathews sexually exploited the woman while counseling her in a troubled marriage, and that he physically and verbally abused her 12-year-old daughter. Mathews fled after the Diocese withdrew its sponsorship.

Fr. Octavio J. Suarez

Donate Photo

Order: CMF
Ordained: 1964
Status: Arrested

Diocese: Diocese of Tyler TX

Arrested in 10/96 for aggravated sexual assault of a child in 4/96. Released on bail. Diocese investigated and found no evidence of misconduct; thought matter had gone away. Reportedly the child's parents also confirmed no evidence. Diocese reaffirmed offer of assistance to all parties in 10/96. Investigation conducted by Texas Rangers, Henderson Police and Rusk County DA. Suarez was returned to ministry 7/30/97.

Sources:

Dallas Morning News (AP) 10.20.96
Houston Chornicle 07.30.97

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.