Staff and members of Catholic churches in Arlington and Fort Worth are being asked to be vigilant due to two threatening telephone calls targeting priests in the diocese.
"Both threats related to priests abusing children," said Pat Svacina, diocese spokesman. "And one might be considered a death threat the way the language was couched."Both threats were made within an hour of each other on Aug. 8 at two different churches about 5 p.m., Svacina said. Priests and staff have been asked to be vigilant and to watch for suspicious occurrences. The police have been notified about the threats but the threats were not characterized as imminent, Svacina said."Each parish has adjusted and is preparing its own security measures," Svacina said. "This is out of an abundance of caution. If anything transpires we can take appropriate action." Bishop Kevin Vann met with a Fort Worth police officer the day after the threats were made, according to a police report. The suspect entered a selection allowing him to leave a message with a priest and said that he had been abused by a priest as a child, the report said.The message also said the suspect would be coming to church to kill a priest, according to the report. The officer cautioned Vann to be on the lookout for anyone acting suspicious or out of character at church and to call the police if necessary.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
