Prosecutor Blasts Ex-priest for Alleged Dishonesty; SNAP Responds

SNAP
March 3, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/tx_prosecutor_blasts_ex_priest_s_for_alleged_dishonesty_snap_responds

In a shocking display of bias, a Catholic prosecutor has impugned a man's honesty because he left the priesthood.

[themonitor.com]

Dale Tacheny says that Fr. John Feit admitted that he murdered Irene Garza. But prosecutor Rene Guerra doesn't believe Tacheny because, he says, “Anybody that’s a former priest who left the priesthood has broken the vows of the church and now he says he’s the biggest truth-teller in the world. I don’t believe that.”

That's worrisome and prejudiced. We call on the prosecutor to apologize for his hurtful remarks. Fewer victims and witnesses will likely report known and suspected crimes – especially against Catholic parishioners and staff – fearing that Guerra may also publicly attack their credibility because of choices they have made that he disapproves of.

Millions of Americans get divorced. Hundreds of thousands of men have left the Catholic priesthood for many reasons. Tens of thousands of priests have not honored their pledge to be celibate.

Each could be considered to have “broken” a “vow.” But none of that reflects on the integrity or truthfulness of any of these individuals, especially one like Tacheny who, without any apparent ulterior motives, has voluntarily shared what he knows about a murder with police and prosecutors (and who continues, decades later, to push for justice).

If Rene Guerra has adopted a new standard and now refuses to believe any witness who has ever “broken” a “vow,” we suspect he'll have a very hard time winning many convictions.

And if he doesn't want to re-open the Irene Garza investigation, that's his right. But he shouldn't excuse his inaction by defaming a witness, especially on who many others find credible.