Supporters rally behind whistleblower priest

By Angela Rozier
WPBF
January 26, 2016

http://www.wpbf.com/news/supporters-rally-behind-whistleblower-priest/37650502

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —Supporters of a local catholic priest who says he's been ostracized from the church because he blew the whistle on a church sex scandal is getting support.

Nearly a dozen supporters stood outside the Palm Beach Diocese offices at 9995 N. Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens Tuesday afternoon to show support for Father John Gallagher.

David Pittman, who is a local member of SNAP which stands for Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, attended the rally.

"We want to know why because he did the right thing, he reported a sexual predator. A predator who was convicted," said Pittman.

Gallagher was a priest at The Holy Name of Jesus in West Palm Beach in January of last year.

Mireille Kulikowski also attended the rally.  Kulikowski said she attends The Holy Name of Jesus Parish and said Gallagher is a good priest.

"I want Father Gallagher back in good spirit and good health," said Kulikowski.

He sat down and told WPBF's Ari Hait, Monday, that when he learned a visiting priest from India had been showing child pornography to a minor he called police.

Gallagher said the diocese told him to keep his mouth shut and just put the priest back on a plane to India.

Gallagher refused and cooperated with detectives.

Gallagher said the diocese immediately cut off communication with him.

"So I was left in the parish on my own trying to pick up the pieces with the parishioners who were devastated after less than 28 days. their trust was violated and really seeing no support from the diocese," said Gallagher.

Gallagher said the diocese demoted him, removed his belongings from the rectory, and changed the locks so he couldn't get back in.

The Diocese released a statement:

“The Diocese of Palm Beach is very disappointed in the actions of Father John Gallagher who, through a complete misrepresentation of the case of Father Jose Palimattom, has brought unfair and slanderous allegations against the Church and the Diocese of Palm Beach. Father Gallagher has acted in a similar manner in other situations in the past and has been given every opportunity for correction, including the possibility of professional assistance. 

Father Gallagher has publicly stated that he contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office the evening the incident occurred. The sheriff’s report indicates that Father Gallagher was not the one who made the report. He also publicly stated that he contacted the Diocese the evening the incident occurred. The Diocese of Palm Beach did not receive any communication from him until the next day. Upon learning of the allegation, the Diocese of Palm Beach immediately contacted authorities and learned that the incident had already been reported to them by the boy’s family, not Father Gallagher. 

The Diocese of Palm Beach acted in a prompt, thorough, and cooperative manner in regard to Father Palimattom. Father Gallagher was not in any way demoted or removed because of the incident.  He was not named as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church for a number of reasons not related to the incident involving Father Palimattom. He was given a new assignment with all the reasons explained to him. Access to his residence was never denied him, nor was he refused the sacraments. At his request he was placed on medical leave and continues to receive salary, health insurance and benefits.  At the present time he has not made known to the Diocese his whereabouts.

Father Gallagher is blatantly lying and is in need of professional assistance as well as our prayers and mercy.

The Diocese is very concerned regarding the manner in which the media is presenting this case, especially when the Diocese had released to it information that should have caused more than reasonable caution in presenting misleading information from Father Gallagher.”

The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach encompasses the five counties of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee. Comprised of 280,000 Catholics in 53 parishes and missions, the Diocese also serves the faithful community through its schools.