In response to the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese's public appeals inNovember, two men, parents of four other men and a woman have broughtnew allegations of sexual misconduct with minors against the lateMonsignor James C. Reilly, former pastor of an Arlington church.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred in the mid-1960s and early1970s, officials with the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth reportedWednesday.

The diocese, which has urged victims to report misconduct, receivedthe allegations from November through January, said the Rev. MichaelOlson, the diocese's vicar general and overseer of its conduct reviewboard. Reilly, who served at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church ofArlington, died in 1999.

Two women, each with two adult sons, told the diocese that theysuspect Reilly sexually abused their sons when they were minors. Themen have not approached the diocese, Olson said. The diocese hasoffered to pay for counseling of the parents and the four men but hasnot yet received a response, Olson said.

All accusations have been reported to police and the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Olson said.

In December, Bishop Kevin Vann of the Fort Worth diocese removedfrom active ministry the Rev. Gilbert Pansza, who had served at St.John the Apostle in North Richland Hills and St. Francis of Assisi inGrapevine. Pansza admitted to sexual misconduct with a minor in the1970s before he entered seminary. Diocese officials have recentlyvisited churches where Pansza served, including some in NortheastTarrant County, Bridgeport, Decatur and Wichita Falls, but they heardno allegations against him.

"I reiterate our shared commitment to place the healing of victimsof past child sexual abuse by clergy and other church workers at theforefront of our collective effort," Olson said.

David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of ThoseAbused by Priests, said that "we applaud any victim that finds thecourage to come forward, regardless of who they disclose to. But wehave long believed that the most prudent course is to contact lawenforcement officials directly."

REPORTING ABUSE

To report sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic clergy, call JudyLocke, victims' assistance coordinator at the Catholic Diocese of FortWorth, at 817-560-2452, ext. 201, or the Rev. Michael Olson at 817560-3300, ext. 107.