Secret Archive of the Fort Worth Diocese - Documents on Hanlon, Hoover, Howlett, Magaldi, Reilly, and Rentería

Documents from the Secret Archive
of the Fort Worth Diocese

On this page we provide the all the files from the Fort Worth diocese's secret archive that were released by State District Judge Len Wade, with selected articles about the documents and links to key documents, beginning with Rev. Philip A. Magaldi. Judge Wade released the 700 pages of disputed documents about accused priests Hanlon, Hoover, Howlett, Magaldi, Reilly, and Rentería on November 28, 2006, after two area newspapers – the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News – filed suit to have the documents released. The judge had originally ordered the Fort Worth diocese to turn the documents over to John Doe and John Doe II during 2003 suits filed by attorneys Daniel Shea and Tahira Khan-Merritt. Those suits were settled in April 2005 for $1.4 million and $2.75 million, but the release of documents was contested until Judge Wade ruled on February 23, 2006.

The release of documents can be traced to survivor David Lewcon's 1996 suit, which alleged abuse by Rev. Thomas H. Teczar in Massachusetts. Lewcon investigated Teczar's activities in Texas, prompting John Doe to come forward. See Blinded by Faith? by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (June 5, 2005)

Documents Released by Judge Len Wade

The files are presented as large PDFs and if necessary are also broken into smaller PDFs for easier download. We are also selecting individual documents from each priest's file, beginning with Rev. Philip Magaldi, and are presenting those separate documents in a section of key documents below. See also our tally of the released documents by page number.

Rev. John Howlett

• Documents (also available as two smaller files: a b)

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Howlett.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Howlett documents.
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Howlett case.

Rev. William Hoover

• Documents 1 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
• Documents 2 (also available as two smaller files: a b)

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Hoover.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Hoover documents.
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Hoover case.

Rev. Rudolf Rentería

• Documents

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Rentería.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Rentería documents.
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Rentería case.

Rev. Joseph Tu, O.P.

• Documents not yet released, pending Tu's appeal

• See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Tu case.

Rev. James Hanlon

• Documents

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Hanlon.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Hanlon documents.
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Hanlon case.

Rev. James Reilly

     •   Documents 1 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
     •   Documents 2 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
     •   Documents 3 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
     •   Documents 4 (also available as two smaller files: a b)

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Reilly.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Reilly documents.
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Reilly case.

Rev. Philip Anthony Magaldi

     •   Documents 1 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
     •   Documents 2 (also available as three smaller files a b c)
     •   Documents 3 (also available as three smaller files a b c)
     •   Documents 4 (also available as two smaller files: a b)
     •   Selected documents

     •   See the Star-Telegram's assignment record for Magaldi.
     •   See the Star-Telegram's article on the Magaldi documents [with links to documents]
     •   See the Dallas Morning News' summary of the Magaldi case.

Selected Articles

Document Release

- Unlocking the Secrets of the Fort Worth Diocese, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (November 29, 2006)
- Officials Spent Thousands, Hoped Woman Wouldn't Sue, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. John Howlett documents]
- After Second Complaint, Bishop Removed Priest, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. Philip Anthony Magaldi documents]
- A 'Full Disclosure' Withheld Key Details, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. William Reece Hoover documents]
- Bishop Didn't Want to Know More, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. James Joseph Reilly documents]
- New Allegation Was Omitted Even As Diocese Made a Change, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. Rev. Rudolf John Rentería documents]
- 1 Case Reported; Accuser Was 16, in Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006) [on Rev. James Bernard Hanlon documents]

- FW Diocese Concealed Abuse: 700 Pages of Unsealed Records Show 7 Priests Allowed to Stay on Job Despite Repeated Warnings, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (November 28, 2006)
- Details about the Accused Priests, in Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006)
- FW Diocese Concealed Abuse, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006)
- How the Records Were Obtained, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (November 29, 2006)

- Diocese Sex-Abuse Files Released, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (November 28, 2006)

Background

- Priest Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Parish Thefts, United Press International (May 7, 1992)
- Bishop Hired 2 Priests after Suspensions: He Defends Their Work Since Joining FW Diocese, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News (August 12, 1998) [Discussed by Bishop Delaney in a 12/19/98 interview with Magaldi, PDF p. 3.]
- Another Texas Bishop Reveals Poor Judgment, in The Wanderer (August 27, 1998)
- Priest Accused of Abuse: He Denies Allegations, Ends Active Ministry, by Brooks Egerton and Aline Mckenzie, Dallas Morning News (April 26, 1999)
- Sex Abuse Lawsuits against Priest Are Dismissed: The Former Leader of a North Richland Hills Church Asks the Fort Worth Diocese to Restore Him to Active Ministry, by Tara Dooley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (December 8, 2000)
- Supporters Want Priest Reinstated: Old Sex Accusations False, Parishioners Say, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News (December 14, 2000)
- Former R.I. Priest Seeks Reinstatement, by Mark Melady, [Worcester MA] Telegram & Gazette (December 16, 2000)
- Diocese Settles Sex Abuse Lawsuit, by Darren Barbee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (April 2, 2005)
- Diocese Settles Abuse Lawsuit, by Darren Barbee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (April 8, 2005)
- FW Catholic Diocese Settles Sex-Abuse Suit: Bishop Admits No Wrongdoing in Hiring Priest Accused in Past, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News (April 9, 2005)
- Blinded by Faith? by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (June 5, 2005 )
- Files on Accused Priests Sought, by Darren Barbee, Fort Worth Star Telegram (June 26, 2005)
- Judge to Release Files on Clerics Accused of Abuse, by Max B. Baker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (February 25, 2006)
- Should the Cabinets Be Kept Shut? by Linda P. Campbell, Star-Telegram (August 18, 2005)
- Judge Agrees to Unseal Records of Priests in Sex-Abuse Cases, Associated Press (February 24, 2006)
- Not in Good Standing: A Houston Priest Is Suspended after Decades of Molestation Accusations, by Craig Malisow, Houston Press (March 9, 2006)
- Diocese Won't Appeal Release of Priest Files, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (August 12, 2006)
- 11 Ask to Remove Priest's Name, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram, November 23, 2006

Responses

- Bishop Apologizes for Priest Abuse but Not for Cover-Ups: Victims Angry over Response of Fort Worth Diocese, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News (November 29, 2006)
- Another Corrosive Wave, in Star-Telegram (November 30, 2006)
- Process to Defrock 2 under Way, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (November 30, 2006)
- Facing the Fallout: Catholics Wise to Focus on Recovery, Not Cover-Up, in Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (November 30, 2006)
- Bishop Apologizes for Priest Abuse but Not for Cover-Ups: Victims Angry over Response of Fort Worth Diocese, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News (November 30, 2006)
- Victims Target Priests: FW: Bishop Urged to Discipline Those Who Didn't File Abuse Reports, by Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth TX (December 1, 2006)
- Records Released on Ex-Area Priest: Documents Shed Light on Allegations of Sexual Abuse against Rev. Magaldi, by Judith K. McGinnis, Times Record News, Texas (December 1, 2006)
- Police Notified of Abuse Charge, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram, Fort Worth TX (December 1, 2006)
- More Time Backed for Abuse Cases, by Aman Batheja, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas (December 1, 2006)
- Bishop: Abuse Cases Mishandled, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (December 2, 2006)
- New Claim of Abuse Is Reported, by Darren Barbee, Star-Telegram (December 2, 2006)
- Fliers Don't Fly on Church's Property: Priest Tosses Victims' Network Just before Addressing Service, by Katie Menzer, Dallas Morning News (December 3, 2006)
- Group Takes Case to Church, by Melissa Vargas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (December 3, 2006)
- Texas Priest Apologizes, Didn't Tell Police of Allegations, Associated Press (December 3, 2006)
- Group Rallies for Justice in FW Clergy Abuse Allegations, by David Schechter, WFAA (December 4, 2006)
- Police Look into Abuse Claims, by Darren Barbee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram (December 5, 2006)

Key Documents

We begin our presentation of key documents with a selection from the Magaldi file. For the complete Magaldi file, see above.

Rev. Philip Anthony Magaldi

Selected documents from the released portions of Magaldi's personnel file. See also After Second Complaint, Bishop Removed Priest, in Star-Telegram (November 29, 2006) with links to the documents.

Document Description	Author	Addressee	Date	First Page	Last Page
Memo describing a meeting with a college student who alleged 1995 abuse by Magaldi: he used confession to meet the boy and alcohol, money, and dinners out to groom him; boy was kissed on the lips, hugged, and touched, and was persuaded to give Magaldi four enemas	Delaney		01-03-97	423
Memo describing follow-up meeting on 1/8/97 with same victim	Fr. Robert Wilson		01-08-97	0424	0426
Memo by another participant in the 1/8/97 meeting; also describes Magaldi's version of events	Chancery official		01-08-97	0427	0429
Executive summary of the committee's conclusions: that Magaldi was guilty of sexual exploitation, that there was no reason not to believe the victim regarding the details Magaldi didn't admit to, and that Magaldi should stay in his current assignment but be disciplined	Wilson		01-12-97	0436
Summarizing 1/17/97 meeting with Wilson, Magaldi, and Magaldi's pastor: keep Magaldi at St. John's, remove him from responsibility for altar boys, and supervise him closely; to be reviewed in one year	Delaney		01-17-97	0437
Wilson's follow-up to 1/17/97 meeting, in which he reported notifying the committee and the victim, who wished Magaldi had been moved to a parish without a school and was concerned about what would happen after probation was over	Wilson		02-13-97	0438
Letter complaining about the 1/17/97 supervision arrangements and about his supervising pastor	Magaldi	Delaney	06-10-97	0439	0441
Memo reporting meeting with Magaldi to respond to his 6/10/97 letter	Delaney		06-23-97	0442
Memo describing Worcester allegation, that Magaldi sexually abused a boy in his mid-teens about 18 times in the 1970s, including anal rape, forced oral sex, and enemas given and received; original complaint had come to Evans 11/2/98	McCarthy	Mulvee, Evans, Frappier	12-03-98	0444	0447
Letter forwarding allegation contained in 12/3/98 McCarthy memo	Bishop Mulvee	Delaney	12-04-98	0443
Transcript of interview discussing allegations against Magaldi and proposed interview and evaluation	Delaney, Magaldi, Wilson, and two others		12-19-98	0451	0468
Attachment to Delaney's 12/23/98 memo, describing Magaldi's von Bulow connection and embezzlement conviction	Delaney		12-19-98	0472
Memo describing Magaldi's history and two allegations	Delaney	Name redacted. Someone at a New England treatment facility.	12-23-98	0471
Interview of Magaldi in Providence RI by Providence diocesan investigator 1, 2, 3, 4	Magaldi	Robert N. McCarthy	12-30-98	0508 0532 0562 0587	0532 0561 0586 0601
Letter forwarding the results of Magaldi's first 1/2/99 polygraph (results themselves seem not to be in the released files)	McCarthy	Magaldi	01-21-99	0613
Memo on meeting with Magaldi and Wilson on 2/19/99, concluding that on the polygraph evidence so far, Magaldi must go to another diocese or retire	Delaney		02-19-99	0623
Letter containing results of Magaldi's second polygraph, indicating that the Worcester charges were false	Polygraph operator	[Redacted]	02-21-99	0628
Memo describing a 2/24/99 meeting with Magaldi and Wilson, in which Magaldi gave Delaney a copy of the second polygraph, supporting Magaldi; Delaney got McCarthy to fax 2nd opinion of first Magaldi polygraph, which Magaldi had lost; it showed that Magaldi was not telling the truth	Delaney		02-24-99	0630
Memo recounting Delaney's own observation of Magaldi's "very inappropriate gesture" while helping altar boys vest	Delaney		03-11-99	0631
Another report on Worcester accuser's 4/3/99 polygraph, supporting him	[Name redacted], Senior Polygraph Examiner	[Name redacted], attorney	04-03-99	0639
Report on Worcester accuser's 4/3/99 polygraph, supporting him		McCarthy	04-07-99	0660
Email recounting talk with person concerned that Magaldi has his own group of altar boys and has one back to his house to help Magaldi's mother	Schumacher	Delaney	04-07-99	0633
Letter accusing dioceses of conspiring to suppress information on Magaldi and threatening to file a complaint	Attorney for Worcester accuser	McCarthy	04-09-99	0637	0638
Memo describing meeting with Wilson, Schumacher, King, et al., who approved Delaney's decision to remove Magaldi, in light of polygraphs and posssible suit	Delaney		04-16-99	0640
Memo about Magaldi's meeting with parish supporters about his removal, and Delaney's meeting with Magaldi about terms of retirement	Delaney		04-19-99	0641
Complaint with Jury Demand - Worcester accuser's suit against Providence and Fort Worth dioceses and Magaldi	Worcester accuser		04-??-99	0667	0675
Memo documenting call from Fort Worth victim, who had heard rumors that Magaldi's retirement was temporary and offered to go public; Delaney said no to the rumors and to the offer	Delaney		04-29-99	0650
Letter on SOL, Magaldi's activities in his own defense, and the 1997 Fort Worth accusation, which the Worcester attorney had discovered	Attorney for Worcester victim	John W. Crumley	04-29-99	0654	0655
Letter confirming Magaldi's 4/25/99 retirement	Delaney	Magaldi	05-21-99	0652
Press release stating that if Magaldi is exonerated, his retirement will be reassessed	Jeff Hensley		07-22-99	0676
Letter enclosing the dismissal of the Worcester suit and requesting a return to active ministry	Magaldi	Delaney	03-21-00	0682
Order of dismissal, with a handwritten note, apparently in Wilson's hand, quoting Crumley as highlighting "without prejudice"	U.S. District Judge		03-18-00 received	0683
Email stating that Magaldi had told the Providence diocese that Fort Worth had restored his faculties and that he had requested Providence do so also; Schumacher told Providence that "Phil's faculties had been taken away for the second time, just within the past week here"	Schumacher	Delaney	04-18-00	0686
Memo describing a 12/14/00 meeting with Magaldi and Wilson, originally planned as a discussion of granting Magaldi limited faculties. But because of bad publicity that Magaldi courted, Delaney cannot proceed; they will wait for 3 months; Magaldi will avoid the press and especially Egerton	Delaney		12-15-00	0692
Letter vouching for the Worcester accuser and his account; prompted by rumors that Delaney might reinstate Magaldi	Friend of deceased Worcester accuser	Delaney	01-01-01	0699	0700
Memo listing four recent reports of misconduct by Magaldi while a supply priest in Keller	Rev. John Gremmels		01-13-01	0698
Letter from Vatican stating that Magaldi has complained he is being mistreated by the diocese; Ternyák asks whether correct procedures have been followed	Archbishop Csaba Ternyák, Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy	Delaney	04-07-01	702
Delaney tells the whole Magaldi story	Delaney	Ternyák	05-18-01	0704	0707
Email reporting a parishioner's discovery of "pedophilic material" and evidence that Magaldi was "in chat rooms looking for minors"	Rev. D. Timothy Thompson	Delaney	10-05-01	0713
Letter informing Delaney that Magaldi has appealed the decision to limit his priestly faculties; Bertone asks for information about the decision	then- Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone of the CDF	Delaney	03-16-02	0724
Letter referring Bertone to Delaney's 5/18/01 letter to Ternyák and alluding to recent events in the U.S.	Delaney	Bertone	04-11-02	0725
Letter asking for a copy of Magaldi's personnel file, on the advice of Msgr. William Varvaro, Magaldi's canon lawyer	Magaldi	Wilson	01-11-03	0726

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