More clergy abuse files turn up in FW

The FortWorth Catholic Diocese acknowledged Wednesday the existence of moreclergy sexual abuse files that its officials failed to surrender undera civil court order.

The disclosure outraged Dallaslawyer Tahira Khan Merritt, who was supposed to have received documentsin late 2004 on all accused priests who had worked in the diocese. Shewas suing at the time over the actions of one priest but alleged abroader pattern of cover-up – a cover-up that has since been borne outby documents The Dallas Morning News obtained in November, after a 19-month court fight.

"I would hope that judges and criminal prosecutors see this for what itis – an abuse of our judicial process – and take action now," Ms.Merritt said. "I would urge the Tarrant County district attorney toarrive at the diocese offices with a search warrant."

Thediocese's No. 2 official, the Rev. Michael Olson, said he did not knowwhy his predecessors failed to surrender the files.

"We'll continue to try to deal honestly with each of these sadincidents with as much compassion and forthrightness as we can," hesaid.

Diocese officials are reviewing other personnelrecords and may have more disclosures on the way, he said, adding thatthe review could take another month or more.

The bishopin 2004 was Joseph Delaney, who has since died. His top aides have beenreplaced and have not commented publicly on the cover-ups.

The latest disclosure involves the late Rev. James Fitzpatrick, whoFather Olson said was accused in early 2004 of abusing a minor for"several years" in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He said the priestwas working then at a parish in Wichita Falls and died in 1974 in aCalifornia traffic incident.

Father Fitzpatrick, a nativeof Ireland, had spent time studying in California before his assignmentto Wichita Falls. Old diocese files make vague references to "problems"that preceded his move out West, Father Olson said.

InDecember, the diocese disclosed the existence of another file that wasnot turned over to Ms. Merritt. It concerned the Rev. Gilbert Pansza,who was still on the job – also in Wichita Falls – despite havingadmitted sexually abusing a child.

The Dallas Diocese haspreviously paid settlements to at least two accusers of FatherFitzpatrick, records show. One complaint came in the mid-1990s, duringlitigation involving another priest, and another in 2005.

Mike Robinson was the accuser in the latter case. He said FatherFitzpatrick abused him and other boys repeatedly in the late 1950s andearly 1960s, when he worked at parishes in Dallas.

Mr.Robinson said that he once told the priest he was going to report himto his parents. Father Fitzpatrick, he said, responded by ordering himto shut up and beginning to drive recklessly, with three boys in thecar.

"I remember us screaming," said Mr. Robinson, who is 58.

He said he stills has nightmares about Father Fitzgerald and wakes up,imagining that the priest is touching him.

Following are clergymen who worked in the Fort Worth Catholic Dioceseand have been publicly accused of abusing children. None is still inthe ministry. Unless otherwise noted, diocese investigators haveconcluded that they engaged in sexual misconduct.

•The Rev. Thomas Teczar has denied wrongdoing and faces a criminal trial next month in Eastland County.

•The Rev. Philip Magaldi has denied wrongdoing and is under criminalinvestigation by North Richland Hills police and the Tarrant Countydistrict attorney.

•The Rev. Joseph Tu has denied wrongdoing.

•The Rev. Rudolf "Rudy" Renteria has not commented publicly.

•The Rev. Gilbert Pansza has admitted wrongdoing to diocese officials.

•The Rev. John Howlett has denied wrongdoing.

•The Rev. James Reilly is deceased.

•The Rev. James Hanlon is deceased.

•The Rev. William Hoover is deceased.

•The Rev. James Fitzpatrick is deceased.

•The Rev. Daniel Triulzi was removed from the ministry in 2005, but itis unclear whether the diocese has investigated and how he hasresponded.