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  More Allegations against Priest

By Terry Lee Goodrich
Star-Telegram [Fort Worth TX]
February 8, 2007

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/16651613.htm

In response to the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese's public appeals in November, two men, parents of four other men and a woman have brought new allegations of sexual misconduct with minors against the late Monsignor James C. Reilly, former pastor of an Arlington church.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, officials with the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth reported Wednesday.

The diocese, which has urged victims to report misconduct, received the allegations from November through January, said the Rev. Michael Olson, the diocese's vicar general and overseer of its conduct review board. Reilly, who served at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church of Arlington, died in 1999.

Two women, each with two adult sons, told the diocese that they suspect Reilly sexually abused their sons when they were minors. The men have not approached the diocese, Olson said. The diocese has offered to pay for counseling of the parents and the four men but has not yet received a response, Olson said.

All accusations have been reported to police and the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Olson said.

In December, Bishop Kevin Vann of the Fort Worth diocese removed from active ministry the Rev. Gilbert Pansza, who had served at St. John the Apostle in North Richland Hills and St. Francis of Assisi in Grapevine. Pansza admitted to sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1970s before he entered seminary. Diocese officials have recently visited churches where Pansza served, including some in Northeast Tarrant County, Bridgeport, Decatur and Wichita Falls, but they heard no allegations against him.

"I reiterate our shared commitment to place the healing of victims of past child sexual abuse by clergy and other church workers at the forefront of our collective effort," Olson said.

David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said that "we applaud any victim that finds the courage to come forward, regardless of who they disclose to. But we have long believed that the most prudent course is to contact law enforcement officials directly."

REPORTING ABUSE

To report sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic clergy, call Judy Locke, victims' assistance coordinator at the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, at 817-560-2452, ext. 201, or the Rev. Michael Olson at 817 560-3300, ext. 107.

Terry Lee Goodrich, 817-685-3812 tgoodrich@star-telegram.com

 
 

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