Records on Sd Predator Priest Are Released, SNAP Responds

SNAP
April 1, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ca_records_on_sd_predator_priest_are_released_snap_responds

Long secret records about a San Diego predator priest have been released in Minnesota where he molested before he moved to California.

[10news.com]

Catholic Church officials were told about allegations against Fr. Paul Palmitessa in the 1990s. One of Palmitessa’s victims later murdered his wife and committed suicide.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul claims that they informed the Diocese of San Diego as soon as they learned of the allegations. Why then did it take more than a decade for Palmitessa’s name to appear on any public lists of child molesting clerics? Why was Palmitessa allowed to continue to work all the way up until 2012?

[startribune.com]

These kinds of dangerous and self serving practices are unfortunately nothing new. We hope Catholic officials in San Diego and the Twin Cities will do the responsible thing now, and aggressively reach out to anyone who many have seen, suspected or suffered abuse by Palmitessa, using church bulletins, parish websites and pulpit announcements

We urge San Diego Catholics & citizens to read the recently released documents about Palmitessa and report any known or suspected priests to secular officials.