A priest named recently by the diocese of Springfield, Illinois as having a credible claim of abuse against a minor served in the Amarillo diocese for more than 14 years.

Father Garrett Neal Dee was with the Amarillo diocese from December of 1988 to June 2002.

In a statement from the diocese, they said he served until the U.S. Catholic Bishops adopted the charter for the protection of children and young people.

They also say that his removal was not due to any actions during his time in Amarillo, but instead, a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor while in the Springfield diocese.

The full statement reads:

“Father Garrett Neal Dee served as a priest of the Diocese of Amarillo from Dec. 1, 1988 to June 28, 2002. We have no notice of any sexual misconduct with any minor during his time of service in the Diocese of Amarillo. He was removed from ministry after the adoption of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by U.S. Catholic Bishops in June 2002. The basis for his removal from ministry was due to a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the Diocese of Springfield, Ill. prior to his arrival in Amarillo in late-1988.”