OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

August 20, 2018

Statement from the Diocese of Dallas

Reverend Edmundo Paredes had already been suspended and removed from ministry in June
2017 after admitting to financial irregularities. As reported the Diocese of Dallas immediately
notified law enforcement as soon as the accusations of criminal sexual acts were made in late
February, 2018.

Investigations take time and the diocese did not want to hinder the investigation by law
enforcement. Bishop Burns was prepared to announce this allegation in March, but there was
concern for the victims who asked that it not be made public out of their great fear that it
would compromise their anonymity in the community.

Because he had not been at St. Cecilia or any other parish since June 2017, Bishop Burns tried
to be sensitive to the victims’ request. When the Pennsylvania report was made public the
Bishop believed he needed to inform the community of the allegations against the now
suspended priest.

When Bishop Burns spoke to media on August 14 about the Pennsylvania report, he told
reporters then he would have more to announce once he met with the Diocesan Review Board,
which he did on August 16. More importantly he wanted his first public comments on the
matter to be to the St. Cecilia community before speaking with the media about the allegations.

Keep in mind that these allegations reported to and by the Diocese of Dallas were brought by
adults who could have reported it to police themselves, but did not. The Diocese reported it as
soon it learned of the allegations.

Annette Gonzales Taylor

Director of Communications
Office of Dallas
214.379.2873(direct)

3725 Blackburn Street · Post Office Box 190507 · Dallas,Texas 75219 · (214) 379-2873 · Fax (214) 520-3247
communications@cathdal.org · www.cathdal.org/communications