Priest Sues Diocese Claiming Retaliation For Cooperating With Law Enforcement

AP reported yesterday that a Catholic priest in Palm Beach County, Florida has sued his former diocese alleging that he was driven out of his position in retaliation for his contacting law enforcement authorities to report another priest who had shown sexually explicit photos of young boys to a 14-year old boy. Plaintiff Rev. John Gallagher, who had become head priest of Holy Name of Jesus parish, says that after he wrote Church officials accusing Palm Beach Diocese officials of trying to cover up the case, Bishop Gerald Barbarito drove him out by turning the Spanish-speaking portion of the parish against him. Barbarito also had diocese priests read a statement at all Masses saying that Gallagher was spreading falsehoods.