TX-Amarillo priest convicted
For immediate release Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 cell ([email protected])
We are grateful that Fr. John Salazar (also known as Fr. John Salazar Jimenez) pleaded guilty in Texas to a molestation of a child in Tulia, Texas. It is the fourth time that Salazar has faced criminal charges. He was convicted twice and served time in prison.
Bishop Leroy Mattiesen brought Salazar to Amarillo and placed him in unsuspecting parishes over the objections of church officials in Los Angeles. Church officials in LA had never defrocked Salazar.
Salazar has been brought to justice because of brave victims who had the wisdom and the courage to work with civil authorities not church officials. We beg anyone who has been harmed by this predator to come forward and begin healing. We hope that anyone who has seen or suspected misdeeds by Salazar will contact law enforcement. While he has been convicted and ordered to spend time in prison, convictions can be overturned. Salazar is a young man and children are safe when predators are behind bars.
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])