FORT WORTH (TX)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By Darren Barbee
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH - Bishop Joseph Delaney, leader of the Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese since 1981, said he will take up issues of retirement with Pope Benedict XVI because of his failing health.
Delaney, 70, made the comments Wednesday in his first interview since the diocese recently agreed to pay $4.1 million to two men who sued, saying they were abused in the early 1990s by a priest Delaney appointed to a parish.
Delaney discussed his health and his reasons for settling the suit and for not releasing the names of other priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.
"The Holy Father, by now, knows of my illness," Delaney said in his first published interview with the Star-Telegram since November 2002. "I'm extraordinarily frustrated that I'm unable to fulfill my ministry," he said.
Delaney was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. His pancreas and parts of his spleen were removed, and Delaney said the cancer is in remission.
Posted by kshaw at May 12, 2005 05:35 AM