For Immediate Release:
Monday, April 28, 2008

For More Information:
David Clohessy 314 566 9790
Lisa Kendzior 817 749 1725
Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003

Clergy sex abuse victims want action on predator priest

Group will try to buy an ad in diocesan newspaper about pedophile

Catholic bishop should put him in a secure treatment center, they say

SNAP wants top church officials to visit parishes where molester worked

'Be a shepherd and help find wounded sheep and prod them to call police,' they beg

WHAT
After a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will walk into the Ft. Worth Catholic church headquarters and try to buy an ad in the diocesan newspaper about an HIV positive priest.

They'll also emphatically beg Ft. Worth Catholic officials to immediately move the predator into a secure treatment facility, ask victims and witnes to call police officials (not church officials), and personally visit the predator's former churches, alert unsuspecting parishioners about his crimes and HIV status, and beg victims and witnesses to contact law enforcement.

WHEN
Monday, April 28, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE
Outside the Ft. Worth Catholic chancery office, 800 W. Loop 820 South, in Ft. Worth (817 560 3300)

WHO
Two-four sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) including a Missouri man who is the group's long-time national director and a Dallas woman who is a leader in a Catholic reform group called Voice of the Faithful

WHY
In February, Ft. Worth priest Fr. Philip Magaldi disclosed that he is HIV positive. Magaldi is a suspended, credibly accused pedophile priest (who has also been convicted of embezzlement and accused of perjury in a murder trial). He is still on the diocesan payroll.

Weeks ago, church officials read a short statement about Magaldi's condition at 3 of the diocese's 90 parishes.

But SNAP wants Bishop Kevin Vann to a) let their group buy an ad in the weekly diocesan newspaper offering support to Magaldi's victims, b) put Magaldi in a remote, secure treatment center (so that kids and adults will be safe), and c) personally visit parishes where Magaldi worked, begging bctims and witnesses to step forwarsd, get help and call police.

SNAP is also upset that the diocese urges victims to call church officials, not police officials. This shows that Catholic authorities are still trying to deal with child sex crimes 'in house,' SNAP says

CONTACT
David Clohessy 314 566 9790, Lisa Kendzior 817 749 1725, Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003