FLORIDA
CBS 12
May 10, 2018
by Jim Saunders/The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —
Saying judges cannot become entangled in church administrative decisions, an appeals court Wednesday blocked a Catholic priest’s defamation lawsuit against the Diocese of Palm Beach.
The lawsuit, filed by priest John Gallagher, came after series of events that started with allegations in early 2015 that another priest at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in West Palm Beach had shown child pornography to a 14-year-old boy. The other priest, Joseph Palimattom, was arrested, pleaded guilty and was ultimately deported to his native India, according to Wednesday’s ruling in the 4th District Court of Appeal.
After the incident involving the other priest, Gallagher was not offered the job of pastor of Holy Name and was reassigned to another parish, a transfer he did not accept. He alleged that the diocese tried to cover up the child-pornography incident and that he was reassigned for not going along, Wednesday’s ruling said. Gallagher, who is from Northern Ireland, also made accusations against the diocese during an interview on Irish radio.
In response, diocese officials made critical comments about Gallagher, who alleged that he had been defamed because of statements about him being a liar, unfit to be a priest and in need of professional help, Wednesday’s ruling said.
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