Priest Admits Foley Relationship

Tells Newspaper About Questionable Encounters When Ex-Congressman Was A Boy

(CBS/AP)  A Roman Catholic priest said he had an inappropriate two-year relationship with former Rep. Mark Foley in the 1960s that included massaging the boy in the nude, but he did not specifically remember having sex, a newspaper reported Thursday.

The Rev. Anthony Mercieca, 72, described several encounters that he said Foley might perceive as sexually inappropriate, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. They include massaging Foley while the boy was naked, skinny-dipping together at a secluded lake in Lake Worth and being nude in the same room on overnight trips.

"Once maybe I touched him or so ... but I didn't — it's not something you call rape or penetration or anything like that," Mercieca told West Palm Beach station WPTV in a phone interview.

"He seemed to like it, you know? So it was sort of more like a spontaneous thing," Mercieca said.

In a phone interview Thursday with CBS News Anchor Katie Couric, Mercieca confirmed many of the details of the story, including that he had spent time with Foley over a two-year period. Watch Couric's report at 6:30 p.m. ET on the CBS Evening News..

Mercieca said there was one night when he was in a drug-induced stupor and there was an incident but he couldn't clearly remember, the newspaper reported.

"I have to confess, I was going through a nervous breakdown," the newspaper reported Mercieca as saying from his home on the island of Gozo, south of Sicily. "I was taking pills — tranquilizers. I used to take them all the time. They affected my mind a little bit."

In an interview with The Associated Press, Mercieca acknowledged that he used to go naked in saunas with Foley, but denied that the two had sex. But he said the report in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune about their relationship was "exaggerated."

"We were friends and trusted each other as brothers and loved each other as brothers," Mercieca said. Asked if their relationship was sexual in nature, the priest replied: "it wasn't."

"Let's say it was 40 years ago, almost 40 years ago, so why bring this up at this late stage?" Mercieca asked during the WPTV interview. "Anyway, he will overcome it, with a psychiatrist you know. Mark is a very intelligent man."

Mercieca told the AP that he and Foley would go into saunas naked when he was a priest in Florida and Foley was a parishioner, but he said "everybody does that."

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Executive Editor Mike Connelly stood by the newspaper's story, saying it "accurately reports what the priest said."

Foley resigned from Congress last month after his sexually explicit e-mails to young male pages surfaced.

His lawyer said shortly after his resignation that Foley was an alcoholic, gay and had been molested as a boy by a "clergyman." Foley's civil lawyer, Gerald Richman, said the alleged abuser was a Catholic priest whose name he shared with state prosecutors on Wednesday.

Richman did not return phone messages left Thursday by The Associated Press. Foley's criminal defense lawyer, David Roth, declined to comment.

Earlier this month, Roth said "Mark does not blame the trauma he sustained as a young adolescent for his totally inappropriate" e-mails and instant messages. "He continues to offer no excuse whatsoever for his conduct."

Mercieca had worked at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lake Worth in 1967, according to church records. Foley would have been 13 at the time.

Mercieca, 72, said he and Foley became fast friends when he moved there from Brazil and "loved each other like brothers," the newspaper reported.

Mercieca said he taught Foley "some wrong things" related to sex, though he wouldn't specify what he meant, the newspaper said. It reported the priest said that at the time, he considered the relationship innocent, but he now says he could see how his actions could be called inappropriate.

Mercieca said although Foley plans to "expose him to the world," he still has "great memories of our trips," the newspaper reported.

"I wish him well," Mercieca said. "Let bygones be bygones."

Mercieca was adamant that his encounter with Foley was an aberration, and that the Catholic Church never had to send him for counseling during his 38 years in the priesthood in Florida, according to the newspaper.

"I have been in many parishes, and I have never been" accused, he said.

A Web site for the Diocese of Gozo lists Mercieca as one of its priests. Joseph Calleja, a priest with the diocese, said Mercieca is still an active priest but that he lives at his own home. Gozo is an island in Malta.

[chefrc]

Ahhhh!! Are we supposed to fell sorry for the SOB now. A F@g is a F@g. Taking it up the old wazoo must have been good for him or he wouldn't want to be doing it to little boys. Jail him, Jail all who knew about it too!!

[abbe7]

So for one, it's about tranquilizers and for the other one, about alcohol ... We know everything now ...

[meboard]

I wonder if this early molestation is what drove him to become a Republican? chefrc, are you a F@g? Those that cry the loudest usually are...?

[abbe7]

By the way, some articles have a comment section and some not (article just below about Burns). Can somebody explain why ?

[meboard]

abbe7, I think it's because that story is sooooo stupid that the comments coming in would crash the CBS server!

[bluestardad]

Burn this pedophile, drag him out and make a public example out of him. He has betrayed the trust of his constituents, has been a pedophile, and thumbed his nose at the congressional honor of America for years. He should not be able to deflect his guilt or the consequences of his actions by pointing the finger at some priest in Italy for some 30 plus year alleged offence.

[mjv2944]

To bad, I'm sad, but this man did wrong and was a congressman to boot, he should go after the Catholic church, this won't be anything new to them. Foley and all his congressional buddies need to be brought to judgement for their actions and not by Hasterts so called impartial investigation. This is a disgrace of monumental proportions and they all should pay dearly. VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!!!!

[abbe7]

Thanks meboard. You might be right ...
Well, it's already 4pm here and we say that a day without a good laugh is a lost day. You saved it, I think :-)

[jw218389]

Well all right! It's okay then, right??

All we need is to transfer Foley to another Parish... :-)

And then Congress can pass a law making child molestation legal - just liked they did with Bush's illegal wire tapping of U.S. Citizens.

The GOP - the party of child molestors and eavsdroppers (and embezzlers like Ken Lay).
-------------------------------------
P.S. If you read this Bush's NSA will put you on "the no fly list" just to hassle you ;-)

[meboard]

Good night abbe7...more crazy news to read tomorrow! See ya.

[chip-post]

Mr.Foley you cannot fool us. If you were molested as a child that is very sad news...HOWEVER........ THAT IS NO EXCUSE FOR YOUR PRESENT AND PAST BEHAVIORS. You sir are a person that needs to have his ego deflated and have the maturity to be 100 pct accountable for your behavior and stop the pathetic attempt at rationalizing your dysfunctional behavior(s). We, the American people, are not stupid. You and your colleagues routinely underestimate our ability to see right through you people.
rob - penn yan ny

[meboard]

jw218389, you left out lying, money grubbing, election steeling, character assassanting, data manipulating, tax evaders.

[meboard]

Oh, and I left out God fearing...ooops!

[random_radar]

Ha, Ha, jw218389, I am already on the no fly list (seriously).

How does the saying go? "Two wrongs don't make a right."

Unless you are a public figure trying to justify pedophilia because you were molested as a child.

[cathaleen]

I guess this makes everything all right now that some priest (in an island in Italy) says that he frolicked with Foley.

[bluestardad]

Remember to Vote Republican and get a free gift, Mr. Foley%u2019s %u201CSoap on a Rope%u201D guaranteed to help you achieve Mission Accomplished, especially made for those of you who are having trouble Staying the Course.

Special Note: This product will be discretely delivered in plain brown paper wrapping complete with plausible deniability and I do not recall disclaimer instructions.

[chicabear1]

Foley and some of his fellow R*********s are quite disgusting. Making excuses for their horrible and disgusting behavior so that civil decent Americans can have pity on them ??!!! I think I'll go throw up now!

[jumkey]

More Republican sleazy math: two wrongs make a right. "See? I was molested myself. I'm just a victim. It's not my fault"

Does anyone in the Republican Part take ANY personal responsibility for anything?

From the President on down to the lowest functionary it's nothing but lies and fingerpointing with these crooks and molesters.

[patriotnw]

Nothing changes the fact that this Republican was seducing young boys, nor the fact that the Republican controlled Congress was covering up the whole sordid affair. Not to mention Karl Rove pushing to keep Foley on the payroll as long as possible. This story is akin to trying to excuse a bank robber because his dad had robbed a bank before... it was "in his blood". Disgusting attempt by the GOP to change the subject. Why do they hate America's children?

[patriotnw]

Nothing changes the fact that this Republican was seducing young boys, nor the fact that the Republican controlled Congress was covering up the whole sordid affair. Not to mention Karl Rove pushing to keep Foley on the payroll as long as possible. This story is akin to trying to excuse a bank robber because his dad had robbed a bank before... it was "in his blood". Disgusting attempt by the GOP to change the subject. Why do they hate America's children?

[patriotnw]

Nothing changes the fact that this Republican was seducing young boys, nor the fact that the Republican controlled Congress was covering up the whole sordid affair. Not to mention Karl Rove pushing to keep Foley on the payroll as long as possible. This story is akin to trying to excuse a bank robber because his dad had robbed a bank before... it was "in his blood". Disgusting attempt by the GOP to change the subject. Why do they hate America's children?

[clestes-2009]

I love it! Let's keep the Republican scandal broth stewing as long as possible!! Right up until election day. Maybe it will trump the Rove timing of Saddam's sentencing.

Y'all know the Saddam is to be sentence 2 days BEFORE the election, right, even though they could do it now. Not that I think it is going to make much of a difference in voters.

[gholden2006]

Why do Republicans get labelled just because there are people in their midst who make mistakes.
Do we call all Americans murderers just because some of them are?
The fact is this scandalous behaviour is becoming more and more prevalent in society on both sides of the political spectrum.
The only way to get rid of it in politics is to STOP voting for parties and start voting for people! Real honest genuine people with morals and principles whether they are Democrat, Republican, Independant or other.
When are people going to stop using the Foleys of this world to push their partisan agendas?
Wise up America!!!!

[ech0e]

IMHO.

This has nothing to do with Republican or Democrat parties. Further, what a priest did to him as a child is a non-sequitur to me, it might explain why he is creepy, but it does *not* excuse his actions.

Simply, all that matters is that he was doing some creepy things with young boys, doesn't matter that they were close to the 'age of consent'. Still doesn't pass the 'smell test' in my book; he is skirting too close to the line and there is a pattern of it..

I *am* glad to see that congress quickly reacted and pressured him to leave, next step see if he did anything illegal, but that is for law enforcement to do. As far as congress is concerned this should be a closed subject now, stop all the partisan spinning (Republicans and Democrats), it makes me sick to my stomach what our House and Senate have come to.. It is just despicable, all are more concerned about how to spin this to their advantage; rather than doing real work.

This post is worth exactly $0.02.

MLA

Charlotte, USA

[perception5]

Blah blah blah...... he said then she said and then they said. Foley has resigned and left Congress. The only reason our liberal MSM is covering this story is because they are in the middle of a "propaganda blitzkrieg" to help the their pals in the DNC, the DEMS, of which they are also, recapture both houses of Congress........ end of story. A lot of Americans would like to know what happened with Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson. Our liberal MSM spent over a year running Karl Rove, Bush, Chenney, and others through the mud just for us to find out that they were INNOCENT...!! This is ONE example of how, in my view, the liberal MSM "news organizations" have mutated into "political organizations" dedicated solely to support their Democratic Party....... this is sad and shameful.......

[patriotnw]

Congress did NOT pressure Foley to leave (as stated below)... Foley resigned immediately after the ABC reporter brought them to his attention. Hastert and the GOP only -claim- they forced his resignation. For all intents and purposes, they would have circled the wagons trying to protect their power.

[nwcruiser]

The GOP have successfully made Foley the monster into Foley the victim. The GOP will stop at nothing to remain in power and will bribe or threaten anyone to lie for them. GO by there deeds not what they say. GOP really stands for MOB

[ronniehm]

"Nothing changes the fact that this Republican was seducing young boys"

I think Foley is an idiot, but I was wondering which young boy he seduced. I thought the sexual emails were sent to ex-pages who were adults. The only email I ever saw that was sent to a young boy (16) asked him what he wanted for Christmas.

I'm also wondering if anyone has compiled a list of politicians (Democrat or Republican) who have ever marched alongside NAMBLA in a gay pride parade. I'd like to compare that list to the list of quotes pertaining to this scandal.

[ronniehm]

"The GOP have successfully made Foley the monster into Foley the victim. "

You think the GOP wanted this to be the headline today? That doesn't seem particularly reasonable.

[usawatchman]

See what happened under the BUSH WATCH
see what the BUSH COURT (5th Cir. and Supreme Courts)
did when they had opportunity to be leaders..
They COVERED UP GOV. CRIMES..


These people (Judges)are corrupt as the day is long...I was denied DUE PROCESS because I failed one of the courts LITERARY TESTS.. so much for a country of the people, more a country of the BIG BUCKS AND CORRUPT POLITICIANS..!

SEC = SELLING GOVERNMENT JOBS
That's right, the SEC is selling INFLUENCE
(print before it disappears)

The Markets and the Courts are RIGGED
and the politicians are CORRUPT, and are SELLING this Country (USA) out

The SEC got caught SELLING and/or GIVING AWAY GOVERNMENT JOBS
to a REGULATORY AGENCY and
the US SUPREME COURT Not only allowed them,
it allowed these GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (SEC, EEOC, DOL)
to COMMIT CRIMES against the PEOPLE...

and the COURTS then helped them COVER IT UP..

EVERYONE, the USA is heading for a DICTATORSHIP
AMERICANS LOST THEIR RIGHTS

[michelebaruch]

I am sure there are hundreds more like Foley running our goverment making decisions for the good of the United States Of America.

I am a die-hard American, with the highest standard of family values, etc...

How can the american people ever have confidence in anyone running this country. It is a discrace for America, and a discrace for mankind.

May G-D help us.

[michelebaruch]

I personally beleive that this type of conduct is not limited to Republicans. It is rampant in the goverment. However Foley, was caught. But I will bet my bottom dollar that there are democrats, liberals, conservatives who have no family values. They just have not been caught yet and exposed.

[ronniehm]

"They just have not been caught yet and exposed."

Stubbs was caught. No one cared.

[ronniehm]

ok Studds. Guess I couldn't get the disgusting image of his favorite pasttime out of my head.

[perception5]

Yeah....... you can bet there is a lot more liberals but they get their cover from our liberal MSM............. just look at how they have failed to investigate:
1. Joe and Valerie - lies against Rove,Bush, Chenney
2. Sandy Berger- stole secrets documents related to 9/11.... no investigation
3. CNN's Eason Jordan - said American troops were purposely targeting journlist
4. Chuck Schumer- his staff pleaded guilty of illegally obtaining Michael Steele's, running for Senate in Maryland, credit report
5. Harry Reid's land scandal and now something new today related to holiday gifts to his staff
6. Democrats in Maryland throwing oreo cookies at Michael Steele, the black GOP senate candiate in MD.
............ on and on and on........ all these "admitted" crimes are being and have been covered up by our liberal MSM......... sad and shamefullllll

[cofmanaaron]

The reason that I blame the Republican leaders in Congress for this mess is because they KNEW

[ronniehm]

"The reason that I blame the Republican leaders in Congress for this mess is because they KNEW"

You have to blame Nancy Pelosi then too. She knew in April.

[cofmanaaron]

The reason that I blame the Republican leaders in Congress for this mess is because they KNEW at least alittle of what was going on and chose to look the other way, not standing up for underage boys and their families, letting Foley continue as if nothing had happened. I'M NOT SAYING DEMS ARE PERFECT. But isn't there a difference between 22 and 16? Maybe you sanctimoniuous Republicans would be wanting to root out those who hid this crime if you didn't have your heads in the clouds (expletive revised) about keeping power away from us "dirty democrats". I expect my representatives to follow the law and not to hide lawbreakers. But I never expected that from Republicans. I think more people see now that it is actually the Republican party that is bankrupt on moral values.

[cofmanaaron]

And that excuses Hastert and his cronies because?

[ronniehm]

You excused Pelosi. I said nothing about Hastert.

[cofmanaaron]

On Cnn earlier this month, Wolf Blitzer interviewed a Republican party representative and asked him: "Do you have any evidence that the Democrats knew about Foley's actions?" His response: "Do you have any evidence they didn't?" This just shows again that republicans are willing to lie about anything to stay in control. How about you come back to the real world. If Nancy Pelosi is discovered to have known something by the Ethics commitee, then certainly she should be dealt with the same as any others who did the same (I don't really like her that much anyway, she's bad for the party). But don't let the Republicans off the hook just because they're Republicans. Or maybe you think, like many other conservatives here, that it was improper for ABCnews to have brought this to light in the first place?

[huskerarmy]

"You have to blame Nancy Pelosi then too. She knew in April."

Pray tell Ronnie. Where did you get that bit of information? Fush? O'Really? The Feaux News Network? Must be the liberal press is covering this up. I'll bet Bill Clinton knew about it too huh?

[ronniehm]

"But isn't there a difference between 22 and 16? "

Who was 22? Gerry Studds slept with a 17-year-old. Now let me ask you:

But isn't there a difference between sleeping with someone and sending e-mails?

But isn't there a difference between how Democratic voters reelected Studds and Republican voters want nothing to do with Foley?

[ronniehm]

"Pray tell Ronnie. Where did you get that bit of information?"

ABC News. The e-mails were shopped around quite a bit back in April. No one was interested.

P.S. It's Faux, not Feaux. Still a cute name though. Did you think of that?

[ronniehm]

"Or maybe you think, like many other conservatives here, that it was improper for ABCnews to have brought this to light in the first place?"

No, I don't think that. I think they should have brought it to light in April so Foley could be long gone by now.

[cofmanaaron]

Monica Lewinsky was the one I was referring to. She was 22 at the time of the affair she had with former president Bill Clinton. RonnieHM: I haven't heard much about the Studds scandal. What year was that? What were the circumstances of the case? I'd bet many of us would like to know more about this story. Thank you :)

[huskerarmy]

"This just shows again that republicans are willing to lie about anything to stay in control. How about you come back to the real world."

What's truely amazing is that, not only do GOP politicians now lie almost without provocation, the partly faithful is willing to spread false information as fact almost without conscience. They seem to have decided that the GOP must win at all cost, even if it means subverting the very democracy they claim to care so much about?

[cryonbrian]

This clown is just trying to spin what he did. He is just another nasty rat who tries to use his power to abuse children!

He wants to blame some priest for what he has been doing for years. Nasty Buzzard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[agnim]

So the church pervert first sodomized and traumatized the filth-stirring Foley, after gaining the confidence of the children and their parents.

And Foley in turn passes on his deviant behavior to children of the wider society.

LEARN PEOPLE!

That is the way in which the homosexual deviance comes to be so dominant in western/christian societies compared to non-christian/non-western societies: The churches of child sodomy are mainly responsible for the spread of homosexual deviance in western/christian societies!

[ronniehm]

"I haven't heard much about the Studds scandal. What year was that? What were the circumstances of the case? I'd bet many of us would like to know more about this story. Thank you :)"

I don't find your curiosity convincing, but I'll humor you. He slept with a 17-year-old page in 1973. It was discovered in 1983, and he was reelected in 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994. He recently died ... probably of laughter.