PROVIDENCE — Former diocesan priest Rev. Philip A. Magaldi, the target of three separate allegations of sexual misconduct in Rhode Island, recently confessed to officials in the Diocese of Fort Worth that he is HIV Positive.
In 1998, 2002 & 2007, the Diocese of Providence received allegations of sexual misconduct relative to the priest, who had left nine years prior to the first allegation, as he had requested a transfer to the Diocese of Ft. Worth, Texas. He returned to Rhode Island in 1992 to serve time in prison after pleading guilty to embezzlement charges at a North Providence parish. Following release, he returned to Texas.
At the time the complaints against him were made known to the Diocese of Providence, the Office of Education and Compliance investigated the allegations and then shared the findings with officials in the Diocese of Ft. Worth.
In a statement released last week, the Diocese of Providence said it fully supports the efforts of Bishop Kevin Vann and the Diocese of Ft. Worth to seek dismissal of Father Magaldi from the priesthood. Furthermore, the Diocese of Providence has offered to write a letter in support of his laicization, or removal from clerical status.
A prior request to laicize Magaldi was denied. Bishop Vann traveled to the Vatican this week to enter an appeal.
Father Magaldi was removed from active priesthood in 1999 by the late Bishop Joseph Delaney of Fort Worth after allegations of sexual misconduct arose in Rhode Island and Texas. In August 2006, Bishop Vann removed Magaldi from all ministries. In addition, the Diocese of Providence is in the process of contacting individuals who have made allegations against Father Magaldi to share a report issued Feb.13 by the Diocese of Ft. Worth confirming that he is HIV Positive.
“Magaldi acknowledged to me that he is HIV positive. We do not know when Magaldi was diagnosed as HIV positive,” Fort Worth Vicar General Father Michael Olson said. “Because of federal medical privacy laws, the diocese has no access to Magaldi’s medical records, nor is there any information in diocesan files indicating that Magaldi was diagnosed as HIV positive. In trying to assess his condition over the last few days, we believe Magaldi has been HIV positive at least since 2003.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” the vicar general continued, “I have contacted on Tuesday three individuals who have made allegations of sexual misconduct or expressed concern about Magaldi’s behavior and apprised each that Magaldi is HIV positive. In addition, I have contacted the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, where Magaldi served before coming to the Fort Worth Diocese, informing them of his medical status.”
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence invites anyone who wishes to report sexual misconduct by Father Magaldi or by anyone who serves the church to contact Lt. Robert McCarthy, Office of Education & Compliance, at 941-0760. Individuals who believe they had close personal or questionable contact are also invited to report those incidents.
