A stunning announcement from the Catholic Church. The Pope personally ordered the permanent removal of two Tucson priests from the church for sexual misconduct.

Bishop Gerald Kicanas says the Pope's removal of Robert Trupia was based on already-litigated cases of sexual misconduct with children.

Michael Teta was removed for sexual misconduct with an adult, although he's also accused with children.

Kicanas describes dismissal as "The most stringent decision the Holy Father can make in the life of a priest."

Kicanas says it means "He can no longer under any circumstances and for the rest of his life ever present himself as a priest, ever perform any priestly ministry."

Kicanas says he's relieved by the action. "I hope that for those who have been harmed that this will be another step in their own healing to know that the church recognizes the pain that had been inflicted," Kicanas says.

The Diocese of Tucson fought for over 10 years to get Trupia and Teta dismissed. The Diocese suspended both men in the early 1990s, but Kicanas says they appealed.

All this time, the Diocese had to pay the men's living expenses. Over 10 years it paidTrupia an estimated $116,000 and Teta an estimated $74,000.

Right now, the Diocese says it's facing bankruptcy because of lawsuits filed by those who say they were abused by priests.

-- - (David@excite.com), August 06, 2004

Answers

Amen!

-- - (David@excite.com), August 06, 2004.