A Dallas priest is accused of inappropriately touching two children, police announced Tuesday.
Garland police said in a statement that Ricardo Reyes Mata, 34, a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, was arrested Monday on two counts of lewd acts against a child. Police said two children reported inappropriate touching after a priest visited Garland's home. Detectives are working with the Diocese of Dallas.
The diocese said in a statement that it became aware of the girl's allegations of inappropriate touching and immediately filed a report with Child Protective Services and law enforcement. The bishop has also been removed from official duties, the diocese said, adding that there were no reports of inappropriate behavior on diocese grounds.
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation or other similar incidents to call Garland Police at 972-485-4840.
Reyes Mata, of Dallas, is being held at the Garland Detention Center with bail set at $75,000 and $100,000.
Reyes Mata was appointed rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dallas in 2023, according to the cathedral's website. Prior to that, he served as rector of St. Jude Parish in Allen. He also served as chaplain at Bishop Dunn High School in Dallas.
Dallas Bishop Edward Burns thanked law enforcement for their thorough response.
The diocese said in a statement that it “takes all allegations of misconduct seriously.” “At the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, the safety and well-being of everyone is of paramount importance.”