Dallas Catholic Diocese Raided by Police, Bishop Maintains Transparency

Updated: 4:52 PM on May 15, 2019

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The Catholic Diocese of Dallas is refuting claims by Police that the Diocese is not being transparent in a child sex abuse investigation.

Dallas Police raided three Diocese locations Wednesday, including the headquarters, a storage facility, and St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church. A search warrant claims not all documents have been turned over, but Dallas Bishop Edward Burns said late Wednesday the Diocese has given investigators its files and was surprised by the search.

“They want to probe the wounds,” said Bishop Burns. We say, much like Christ said to Thomas, probe if you must.”

Burns insists the Diocese has handed over its files. A search warrant states Police believe some documents to be missing.

Police said Wednesday allegations of child sex abuse have been made against at least five priests, including Fr. Edmundo Paredes, the former Pastor of St. Cecilia Church. According to investigators, additional allegations against other suspects were made after accusations against Paredes were made public.

Updated: 11:32 AM on May 15, 2019

DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — The Catholic Diocese of Dallas is closed after police executed a search warrant of the premises in relation to a child sex abuse investigation.

The Dallas Police Department raided the headquarters Wednesday morning, as well as a storage location off Ledbetter Dr. and the offices at the St. Cecilia Church.

Nobody was arrested, and Dallas Police do not expect any arrests to come Wednesday.

“We’re looking for any documentation or data that would tend to further the investigation into these allegations of child abuse,” said Dallas Police Major Max Geron.

Police did not release the names of any suspects or victims, or the number of victims that could be potentially involved. Police did, however, say the allegations were new.

“They are new allegations that were made to us following the announcement of the charges of Mr. Edmundo Paredes,” Geron said.

Dallas Police say Detectives are investigating at least 6 allegations against numerous suspects in child abuse allegations against Priests, including Edmundo Paredes. Investigators are “combing through records” at Dallas Diocese in the investigation. @WBAP247NEWS @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/BfGfyOdPo5

— The News Joint (@ClaytonNeville) May 15, 2019

Paredes is a former pastor at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Oak Cliff and was accused of sexually assaulting three underage boys more than a decade ago.

Police did not give a timetable into how long the investigation would last. The Diocese did not comment.

“The Dallas Police Department is working to complete a thorough investigation into each allegation, independent of any other entity, to ensure that each victim has a voice within the legal system,” Geron said.

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