Wichita ? A Denver-area Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a child in the 1970s was ordained and served in the Wichita Diocese early in his ministry.

The Archdiocese of Denver announced last month that the Rev. Mel Thompson, of St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, Colo., was relieved of priestly faculties after a complaint alleging the past sexual misconduct.

Denver police won’t investigate because the date of the accusation falls outside the statute of limitations.

The 74-year-old Thompson maintains his innocence.

Wichita Diocese spokeswoman Amy Pavlacka told The Wichita Eagle that no allegations of impropriety have been lodged against Thompson for his time in the Wichita Diocese.

He served in the Wichita area from 1967 to 1969 before requesting a transfer to the Denver Archdiocese.