A reader thought this priest’s name sounded familiar, and then realized that I’d posted a news item on him two years ago.

So this morning, this reader dropped me a line to bring me this sobering piece of news:

Father Bradley Barber, administrator of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, was placed on suspension Aug. 4 after the diocese received information that the Fayetteville police were investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct with an adult against him.

Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, celebrated weekend Masses Aug. 8-9 in Fayetteville and read a letter written by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor . The bishop celebrated a special Mass at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10 in Fayetteville to pray for the alleged victim, Father Barber, his family and the parish.

Bishop Taylor said an adult male alleges that he had sexual contact with Father Barber in the rectory. The Fayetteville police completed its investigation Monday, Aug. 10 and no charges were filed.

“But what is clear is that Father Barber has violated our trust in him, the consequence of which should be no surprise to him or anyone else: immediate removal from ministry while the facts of the case are investigated, and permanent expulsion from ministry if the allegations are verified,” the bishop wrote in his pulpit letter.

Father Barber, 53, a priest on loan from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, came to Arkansas in 2007 to serve in Fayetteville. He is a former Episcopal priest who converted to Catholicism and given permission to become a Catholic priest. He and his wife have four children.

Diocesan officials have met with the people involved. They have asked any parishioners to come forward who also might have similar allegations against the priest.

Father Barber was told “I have withdrawn his faculties as a priest and that he is forbidden to exercise any priestly ministry except in danger of death. He is also forbidden to set foot on the property of St. Joseph Parish and must attend Mass elsewhere,” the bishop wrote.

Bishop Taylor said the safety of minors is “our biggest concern” in following the U.S. bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, but “scandalous sexual activity” with adults results in immediate suspension as well.

Corpus Christi Bishop Edmond Carmody has been “fully informed” of the allegation, the bishop said.

The bishop’s letter, and more, can be found at the Arkansas Catholic link.

My prayers go out to all involved in this sad episode.