June 17, 2005

Order questions identification of priest suspected of abuse

FORT WORTH (TX)
The Dallas Morning News

10:22 PM CDT on Thursday, June 16, 2005

By BROOKS EGERTON / The Dallas Morning News

A prominent religious order's spokeswoman said Thursday that she was puzzled and disappointed by the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese's recent decision to identify a priest accused of child molestation.

The Dominican order investigated the claims against its member, Father Joseph Tu, and found him not guilty, the spokeswoman said.

"It's unfortunate that he's now being put in the spotlight," said Regina Wedig, an attorney who represents the Dominicans' regional office in New Orleans. "He doesn't belong in it."

A lawyer who has seen Fort Worth diocesan records about Father Tu questioned Ms. Wedig's account. But Tahira Khan Merritt said she could not elaborate because a Tarrant County judge sealed the records and barred her from disclosing details.

The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram say there was no legal basis for the sealing and have asked Judge Len Wade to undo it.

Posted by kshaw at June 17, 2005 07:31 AM