FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - A former priest accused of sexually abusing minors in Rhode Island has died in Texas.
     
The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth yesterday announced the death of 72-year-old Philip Anthony Magaldi, who told diocese officials earlier this year that he was HIV positive.
     
Magaldi was removed as a priest in 1999 amid claims of sexual misconduct in Rhode Island, where he served from 1960-90. Other claims were made in the Fort Worth area, where he served from 1990-92 and 1993-99.
     
Overall, he was accused of sexually abusing at least five minors in two states. Magaldi was never charged and always maintained his innocence.
     
The bishop in the Fort Worth diocese flew to Rome earlier this year to ask the Vatican to expedite the process of having Magaldi defrocked. That would remove him from clerical status.
     
Magaldi will be cremated and buried with his parents in Florida.