Predator Priest Lives in Sd Area

SNAP
December 6, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/ca_predator_priest_lives_in_sd_area

A Catholic priest who was revealed as a “credibly accused” child molester yesterday now lives in the San Diego area.

He is Fr. Paul Palmitessa.

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims wants San Diego Catholic bishop Cirilo Flores to “aggressively reach out to anyone who this priest may have hurt while he’s been in California.”

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are asking Bishop Flores to personally visit each parish where predator priest worked and beg victims, witnesses and witnesses to call police.

“When a case of a child abuse is reported, often this is not only the instance of abuse ” said David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP’s director. “We need to make sure that anyone else who has been hurt by Palmitessa will feel encouraged to report what they have suspected, witnessed, or experienced to prevent future abuse, and begin to heal .”

“It’s always tempting to stay silent if you’ve been hurt or betrayed,” said Joelle Casteix of Orange County CA, SNAP’s western regional director. “That silence is what predators count on. And that temptation must be overcome if future clergy sex crimes and misdeeds are to be prevented.”

Palmitessa had been in the Diocese of San Diego since 1982 and retired in 1998 although continued to perform limited ministry until 2012.

Fr. Palmitessa’s photo and work history can be found on the Minnesota Public Radio website.