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  Dale Fushek's Alleged Sexual Abuse Victim Reaches out

By Melissa Gonzalo
12 News
January 25, 2009

http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2009/01/25/20090125allegedvictim01252009-CR.html

One of Dale Fushek's alleged victims is coming forward, asking members of the Praise and Worship Center to hear his story and heed his warning. This comes on the heels of Fushek's ex-communication from the Catholic Church for continuing to preach at the non-denominational service while facing 10 misdemeanor counts of sexual misconduct.

Carl Mawhinney lives right between the center where Fushek now preaches in Mesa and the church where he used to give Catholic mass, St. Timothy's, the same parish where Mawhinney attended as a little boy and met Fushek. "I don't have an option of where I can live right now," said Mawhinney. "He does have an option of where he ministers...he's been to my family's house and he knows I'm still here, and it has truly affected my life."

Mawhinney passed out flyers Sunday in front of the Praise and Worship Center, with the help of Bill Nash from the national support group SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), asking church goers to listen to his story. "I certainly do not want to be confrontational, but he has used his platform to reach children and families, and I'm trying to use a platform to do that, as well," said Mawhinney. They also said they want to encourage other victims to come forward. "We know of these five victims that will be testifying," said Nash. "We don't know how many more there might be out there."

Those going into the Praise and Worship Center didn't want to comment. Neither did Fushek, but Jenny Diaz used to work as the youth protection advocate for the Diocese and said she supports Fushek and his center. "I find it to be a very godly place, and a holy place and I appreciate having been the victim's advocate," said Diaz. "I totally appreciate where the victims are coming from, but it doesn't have any place here." Mawhinney disagrees.

Diaz said while she worked for the Diocese, no victims ever came forward to her. Mawhinney is one of the alleged victims who is set to testify in court. The trial has been delayed three years.

 
 

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