FLORIDA
Roman Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach
By: DPB Office of Communications
Date: January 25, 2016
In response to an article recently published in a newspaper in Ireland, the Diocese of Palm Beach is issuing the following statement:
“The recent article written by Greg Harkin for the Irish Independent Newspaper in Ireland regarding the allegations of Father John Gallagher against the Diocese of Palm Beach is a completely inaccurate representation of the facts. The diocese stands by our January 6, 2015, Press Release (included below) regarding the criminal charges against Father Jose Palimattom, OFM. In this widely-distributed statement and made available in print and on our website the Diocese of Palm Beach stated our immediate response, contact and cooperation with authorities regarding the investigation. Additionally, the diocese released a letter on January 8, 2015, to the parishioners of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church (included below). We once again release those items.
As for the other allegations which the article reports were made by Father John Gallagher, the Diocese of Palm Beach deems them to be a completely inaccurate reflection of the facts. Father Gallagher’s reassignment was not related to the incident with the visiting priest.
In part, these inaccuracies include:
* Father Gallagher was not demoted but given a new assignment with residence.
* The locks were not changed at Father Gallagher’s former parochial house, leaving him homeless.
*Father Gallagher requested a medical leave freely on his own and has been negligent in informing the Diocese of his current residence.
The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach encompasses the five counties of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee. Comprised of 280,000 Catholics in 53 parishes and missions, the Diocese also serves the faithful community through its schools.
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The following are copies of the January 6, 2015 statement released by the Diocese of Palm Beach and the January 8, 2015 letter to the parishioners and congregation of Holy Name Catholic Church.
Diocese of Palm Beach Releases Statement Regarding the Criminal Charges of Reverend Palimattom, OFM
(Palm Beach Gardens, FL) January 6, 2015 – In response to the arrest and criminal charges filed against Reverend Jose Palimattom, OFM, a priest visiting from India, the Diocese of Palm Beach is issuing the following statement:
“The Diocese of Palm Beach is greatly concerned and takes very seriously the charges against Father Jose Palimattom, OFM. Father Palimottom is a priest of the Franciscan Province of St. Thomas the Apostle in India and began serving in December 2014 at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in West Palm Beach, a parish of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Father Palimattom was arrested yesterday on charges of possession of pornography and distributing it to a minor.
Upon learning about the allegations, the Diocese of Palm Beach immediately contacted authorities and cooperated in the investigation conducted by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This cooperation resulted in the arrest of Father Palimattom.
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