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1 Case Reported; Accuser Was 16
Star-Telegram [Fort Worth TX]
November 29, 2006
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/16121797.htm
[See related articles on the Fort Worth files, and the
accused priests Hoover,
Howlett,
Magaldi,
Reilly,
and Renterķa.
See also the documents
on which this series is based, with links to assignment records and background
information.]
The Rev. James Bernard Hanlon
Ordained: June 6, 1981
Died: Feb. 17, 1990
Assignments: St. Michael, Bedford; Holy Family, Fort Worth; St.
John the Apostle, North Richland Hills; St. Maria Goretti, Arlington;
St. Patrick, Fort Worth; St. Rita et al., Ranger; medical leave, 1989
The diocese learned in 1989 that the Rev. James Hanlon had been diagnosed
as HIV positive. The files indicate that diocese officials did not know
about the diagnosis until he was no longer in active ministry. Cirrhosis
of the liver, not HIV or AIDS, was cited as a factor in his death, according
to the files and his death certificate.
Hanlon was accused of a single incident of abuse in December 1982 or January
1983 by a man who said he was 16 at the time. Diocese records show that
Hanlon was serving in Bedford then but that the incident was alleged to
have taken place in the Holy Family rectory in Fort Worth. Hanlon's accuser
was paid about $12,500 in an out-of-court settlement in 1997 after accepting
a confidentiality agreement. Five years later, the man called the diocese,
weeping. He was judged by diocese leaders to be intoxicated. In a 2002
conversation with Bishop Delaney, the man said his family would be better
off if he were dead. "He blames all his present difficulties on that
moment" of alleged abuse, Delaney wrote.
* * *
About This Report
In addition to court documents, this report draws on previous Star-Telegram
coverage of sexual abuse cases involving the diocese; lawsuits; and interviews.
Darren Barbee of the Star-Telegram investigative staff was the
lead writer. Contact him at 817-390-7126 or dbarbee@star-telegram.com.
Staff writer Max B. Baker and others also contributed.
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