Fr. Thomas H. Teczar

Removed from the Worcester, MA diocese in 1986 for sexually abusing boys. Later became a visiting priest in the Fort Worth, TX diocese whose bishop, Joseph Delaney, knew of Teczar’s history and acknowledged the risk in hiring him. Teczar was convicted in 2007 of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old TX boy in 1990. That conviction was overturned in 2007, but a retrial in 2009 resulted again in conviction. Sentenced to 50 years in prison. His victim testified that Teczar had shown him pornography and plied him with alcohol and marijuana. Subject of multiple lawsuits: In 10/2002 a MA jury found for a plaintiff who had filed a suit in 1996; no damages awarded. Civil suits by five plaintiffs in Fort Worth and Amarillo settled in 2005 and 2007. Another claim settled in 2/2008. Laicization announced 9/9/2011. Teczar sought early parole for medical reasons in 6/2013; denied after public outcry to the parole board. Died in prison in 3/2015.