Interview with Rev. Anthony Mercieca

By Tom Kastanotis
WPTV Channel 5
October 19, 2006

[Note: This interview with Rev. Anthony Mercieca was transcribed by BishopAccountability.org from an audio file posted on wptv.com. We have attempted to make an exact transcript. Inaudible words are marked with an underscore and a [?] is placed after words that are indistinct. Please email us with corrections. Together with the audio file, WPTV posted transcribed excerpts of the interview and a story about it. See the WPTV page containing the story, excerpts, and a link to the audio file. See also our cache of the story and excerpts. ]

Tom Kastanotis: This is Tom Kastanotis from Channel 5, and this is Channel 5 in West Palm Beach. How are you today?

Rev. Anthony Mercieca: Fine, thank you.

TK: Good. Father, I was wondering if we could talk to you for a couple of minutes about the Mark Foley situation.

AM: Yes.

TK: Okay, and we'd like to record this. Father, could you tell us essentially what type of relationship you had with Mark Foley back then?

AM: Yeah, we were great friends, you know? I had come, when I came, you know, I didn't know anybody, you know? And he was—he used to be very friendly—and then we became friends, like that. So, and I was invited to his house, you know, for dinner at Christmas and met his father, and it was like that, you know, that we became friends. He used to come all the time to the, to the rectory and he used to, seem to like my, my company, you know.

TK: Can you tell us what happened after that?

AM: After what?

TK: Well, after you became friends?

AM: Yeah, then we went to, I mean, we used to go out to the games, you know, to the, what is it, to the, to the games and to everything, you know, and to the rodeo at Arcadia, you know. And we became more and more friends. Almost like brothers, you know.

TK: Was there anything sexual involved during that time?

AM: Well, it was like, let's say we used to go to the beach together, you know, and, but not do anything indecent, you know. There was just a naturalness, you know, I mean. So we used to, then we went to Washington DC, and we went to New York, and we visited all the museums there, and this and that.

TK: You went to Washington together?

AM: Yes, yes.

TK: Can you tell me what was, what happened, what was, what, why you went there?

AM: Well, we went for the, seeing the museums, you know, and so on and so on, you know. And then we became then attached to each other, you know, so, but we didn't, but we didn't do anything dirty or so, you know. It was like that, and then, yeah, then I had a nervous breakdown, you know, and I was taking some pills, tranquilizers which the doctor there had given me,

TK: Yeah, go ahead,

AM: And then, yes, and then once maybe I touched him or so, you know, but didn't, it wasn't, because then, it's not something you call, I mean, rape or penetration or anythings like that, you know? It was just fondling.

TK: At the time did you think you were doing anything wrong?

AM: Because then I didn't, he seemed to like it, you know. So it was sort of more like a spontaneous thing, you know.

TK: Do you follow the news? Do you understand what's going on here in the United States with Mark Foley?

AM: Excuse me?

TK: Are you following the news in the United States? Do you understand the stories about Mark Foley? What has happen to him?

AM: Excuse me, the main story is that I did something bad to him, isn't it? That I molested him.

TK: Yeah.

AM: Isn't that?

TK: Is, what do you say about those allegations, that you sexually abused him?

AM: See, "abuse," it's a bad word, you know? Cause, abuse, you abuse someone against his will. But it involves [?], this spontaneousness, you know. But anyway, whatever it was, you know, here everything is molestation, I guess. And that's what happened. And for 40 years, it's never bothered him, you know. And now, he came up, saying that he was molested by a priest, or by a clergyman, whatever.

TK: So, are you saying that you did not molest him?

AM: Of course, molestation is _________, you know.

TK: Do you regret anything that happened during that period?

AM: Well, if I could do it, I'd stay away from him, you know, now that, that I know that if he is like that, you know, that he became so bothered about this.

TK: If you could say anything to him today, what would it be?

AM: Oh, I would say that if I offended him, I am sorry, but to remember the good time we had together, you know? And how really we enjoyed each other's company. And to let bygones be bygones. Now please don't keep dwelling on this thing, you know. Because otherwise, that's all I have.

TK: Do you know of the allegations that he wants recently to have the sex with young boys?

AM: But that has nothing to do with this, you know.

TK: Well, sure, but what do you think of those allegations about him? Wanting to have sex with youngsters?

AM: No, I have no, no idea, you know, I guess, I don't know really what I can tell you.

TK: Okay. Is there anything else you can add to it, shed some light on this?

AM: No, that's all, now it's in, this was like let's say it's the 40 years ago, almost 40 years ago, you know. So I __________ at this stage. But any way, he will overcome it ___ difficulty [?]. Mark is a very intelligent man, you know.

TK: Can you tell me what your, what it was like when you were here, back then, in the Lake Worth area, what, do you have good memories of being here then?

AM: Yes, I do, yeah. Nice and quiet, there was a Finnish community, they had sauna baths all over. And people used to go there, pay a dollar fifty, and then have a good sauna. There was the lake, of course, which is a source of fun for people, you know.

TK: Did,

AM: And there was,

TK: Did you know the Foley family?

AM: Excuse me?

TK: Did you know the Foley family?

AM: Yes, I told you, I went there for Christmas, the first, the second Christmas, it was.

TK: What were they like?

AM: Oh, very nice, you know. His grandmother used to come from Pasadena, California, and she was very nice to me, and she used to love meeting me, you know. And then Christmas had the good dinner, there was _______ inviting [?], and two sisters, or three [?] sisters.

TK: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

AM: To add?

TK: Is there anything else you'd like to say?

AM: No, I'd just, I'm, like I said, I mean, I'm sorry that, if he really took this thing in that vein. And, that's all I have to say.

TK: Okay. Thank you for taking time, father.

AM: Thank you too. God bless. Bye. Ciao.

TK: Okay, bye now.