Cleveland Catholic Diocese Issues Statement Regarding Arrest of Priest Caught Soliciting Gay Sex at Park

By Julie Kent
Cleveland Leader
October 12, 2013

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/21685


On Friday afternoon, a Cleveland priest was arrested after he was caught soliciting a plain clothed ranger at Edgewater Park for sex. The Cleveland Catholic Diocese issued a very brief statement following news of Rev. James McGonegal's arrest, which read:

“Diocesan authorities have a policy of cooperating with civil authorities in these kinds of matters and will do so in this matter.”

McGonegal, 68, allegedly signaled a man over to his car and offered him $50 for oral sex, not knowing that the man was a Metroparks ranger in plain clothes. He also admitted to authorities that he is HIV positive.

McGonegal is a priest at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church on Lorain Ave. in Cleveland, and now faces felony charges.

The diocese has not yet indicated what kind of actions will be taken against McGonegal by the church.