Peru Church Was Warned about Ex-jackson Priest

By Bracey Harris
The Clarion-Ledger
September 21, 2015

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/09/21/new-diocese-fmr-jackson-priest-warned-past-abuse/72563400/

Father Paul Madden offers communion to a congregant in Puerto Huarmey, Peru. Madden admitted molesting a 13-year-old boy on a mission trip when he was stationed in Jackson

A former Jackson priest who admitted to molesting a teenage boy is serving in a Peruvian parish, despite several warnings of his past sexual abuse from the Diocese of Jackson.

Monday, the Diocese of Jackson responded to a report by GlobalPost about Father Paul Madden serving as a priest in Peru.

Madden, who worked with the diocese from 1970 to 1994 and admitted to molesting a minor in an on-camera interview, has resurfaced in Chimpote, Peru, according to a GlobalPost report.

Maureen Smith, director of communications for the Diocese of Jackson, said Madden spent much of his time overseas as a missionary with the Society of St. James.

Prior to his assignment with the international organization, Madden molested a 13-year-old while on a mission trip in the 1970s.

The Diocese of Jackson became aware of the abuse in December 1993.

According to Smith, members of the diocese were “immediately” sent a letter regarding Madden and asked to come forward if they knew of other victims. During the same time period, the diocese also informed the Society of St. James of Madden’s abuse.

At some point in 1994, Smith said, Madden left the Jackson diocese and briefly worked in Meridian before voluntarily returning to South America.

Madden continued working with the St. James missionary group, an international group of diocesan missionary priests who volunteer to serve in Peru and Ecuador, until his resignation in February 2002, at which time he began working in the Diocese of Chimpote, Peru. Smith said the bishop was made aware of Madden’s past.

In July 2002, the Diocese of Jackson took the action of suspending Madden’s faculties. The suspension prevents Madden from serving as a priest in the Diocese of Jackson or in the Catholic Church, Smith said.

Following the suspension, Madden went to the Bishop of Chimpote Diocese to seek active priest status. When the Diocese of Jackson found out Madden wanted to be installed in the Chimpote Diocese, Mississippi church officials once again told the South American bishop about Madden.

In April 2004, Madden went to Chimpote, where he continues to celebrate Mass weekly.

Other than the December 1993 report, the Diocese of Jackson has not received additional complaints about Madden.

A $50,000 settlement was paid to the family of Madden’s victim.

NOTE: The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that children served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by church personnel. The Diocese of Jackson wishes to encourage any victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic clergy to come forward and begin the healing process. When an allegation is found to be credible, counseling will be offered, so that the healing process can begin in accord with our present diocesan policy. We encourage any victim to contact Ms. Valerie McClellan, Victim’s Assistance Coordinator at (601) 326-3728.