Father Frederick J. Lyons
Diocese of Alexandria
Ordained: 1952
Retired: 1989
Suspended: 2006
Dead: 2019
Assignment History:
- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (Alexandria)
- St. John the Baptist (Cloutierville)
- St. Anthony Padua (Bunkie)
- Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Alexandria)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Frederick J. Lyons
Frederick Lyons ascended toward the highest ranks of the Diocese of Alexandria and was named Vicar General of the Diocese in June 1967. According to news reports, starting in 2005, allegations that Fr. Frederick J. Lyons sexually abused two underage male in the 1960s were publicized and brought before the Personnel Review Board. The Board reviews and evaluates allegations brought against clergymen and determines whether allegations are credible. While many of the allegations' details are not publicly available, it is known that at least two separate people-who remain anonymous-have come forward and that the Review Board deemed their allegations credible.
Fr. Lyons' case was later referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in Rome and ecclesiastical penalties were imposed. In 2013, Fr. Lyons was suspended and specifically prohibited from publicly celebrating Mass or administering other sacraments; preaching, participating in and attending public liturgical celebration; and wearing clerical dress, according to reports. He was also stripped of the honor Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary and the customary use of the title as monsignor. He was ordered at that time to a "life of prayer and penance."
In 2019, Fr. Lyons was identified in the Diocese of Alexandria list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
Fr. Lyons was ordained in 1952 and served as a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria, St. John the Baptist in Cloutierville, St. Anthony Padua in Bunkie, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Alexandria. He was appointed monsignor in 1962. In 1969, he was appointed to the Alexandria City Council-appointed Committee on Human Relations. Lyons retired in 1989. After retirement, Lyons continued to intermittently perform sacramental functions, including weddings and funerals. Fr. Lyons died in March 2019.
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