Priest accused of abuse stripped of title

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - A Catholic priest who served in central Louisiana has been stripped of the title of monsignor and ordered to a life of prayer and penance.
    
The move by church authorities in Rome was announced Thursday by Alexandria Bishop Ronald Herzog.
    
The Rev. Frederick James Lyons was accused of sexually abusing children. Now in his 80s, The Town Talk reports (http://townta.lk/1az03Es) that Lyons served as a priest in Alexandria, Cloutierville and Bunkie, retiring in 1989. A New York native ordained in 1952, Lyons was suspended from priestly functions in 2006, and his case was sent to the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith for examination.
    
That body's decision says Lyons can't celebrate Mass in public, preach, or participate in a public liturgy. He also can't wear priestly dress in public.

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