Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese reaches settlement on sexual abuse claim involving ex-priest

The Republic
March 8, 2014

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/2726f10d230f4f8aaee5edb75acdf397/TX--Priest-Abuse-Settlement

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese has reached another settlement involving sexual abuse claims against a former priest who died in 1999.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (http://bit.ly/1n5xtHe ) that terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The leader of the diocese, Bishop Michael Olson, said in a written statement Friday that he was deeply sorry for any sexual abuse and that such actions are "a sin and a crime."

James Reilly was pastor of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Arlington from 1969 to 1987, when he retired.

It wasn't immediately known how many cases involving Reilly the diocese has settled.

One Dallas lawyer said in June 2012 that 26 of her clients had settled claims against the former priest. Another person settled a case in April 2013.