A retired priest in the Catholic Diocese of Jackson has been removed from public ministry after a credible accusation of abuse.
The Rev. Edward Balser, 90, is no longer allowed to publicly identify himself as a priest after a credible allegation of years-long inappropriate touching in the 1950’s, according to a release issued by the diocese.
The abuse first occurred in 1953, when Balser was a seminarian and continued after his ordination into the priesthood in 1956, the release stated. The female victim was a minor throughout the abuse. It did not include sexual intercourse. The extent of the touching or when the allegation was first made were not publicly available.
Attempts to reach Balser were unsuccessful Monday.
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