Allegations of Misconduct Against Rye Priest

A Rye priest is on administrative leave following two allegations of misconduct.

Allegations against Father David Barton, the Parochial Vicar at the Church of the Resurrection, were made over the last week. The Legionaries of Christ, a Roman Catholic clerical religious order, announced the allegations and said Barton is cooperating with its investigation.

The Legionaries has a facility in Rye at 815 Boston Post Road, across from Rye High School and above the snowfield parking lot. Barton is listed as part of the Legionaries’ Rye community.

According to his biography, Barton was ordained in Rome in 2014 His first priestly assignment was as a Chaplain at Pinecrest Catholic Academy, a large Catholic school with 1000 students, Grade 1-12 outside Atlanta, GA. Prior to coming to Resurrection, Fr. David served as a parochial vicar at Old St. Patricks’ Cathedral, in SoHo, N.Y.C for 2 years.

The full statement from the Legionaries follows:

“Legionaries of Christ Receive Allegations of Misconduct

In alignment with the policies of the Archdiocese of New York, the Legionaries of Christ communicate the following:

On Sunday, September 12, 2021, an individual made an online report to the Archdiocese of New York regarding alleged misconduct against Father David Barton, LC.

On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, another individual came forward and filed a complaint of misconduct against Fr. David Barton, LC, to the Legionaries of Christ. This person was an adolescent at the time of the alleged incident.

On September 15, 2021 the Legionaries of Christ opened an investigation into the allegations. Father Barton has been fully cooperating. At the conclusion of the investigation the Legionaries of Christ will publish the results.

For the duration of the investigation, Father Barton has been placed on administrative leave. This is a prudential measure during the investigation of this claim; it does not represent a determination of his guilt or innocence.

We are grateful to those who have come forward and encourage others who may have been negatively impacted to contact the Legionaries of Christ’s pastoral care advocate for the United States, Kristin Austin, LCSW-C, CCTP.

Kristin Austin, LCSW-C, CCTP, Pastoral Care Advocate

Email: [email protected] Phone: (443) 788-9730

The Legionaries of Christ remain committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all people who interact with our priests and are involved in our ministries. Every Legionary of Christ in North America receives ongoing training by VIRTUS in keeping with our Praesidium accreditation.”