A Catholic priest in Missouri has been found guilty by the church of soliciting sexual favors from adults during confession, church officials announced.
Father Ignazio Medina, a priest in the Diocese of Jefferson City, was barred from holding any church office, celebrating public mass, or hearing confessions from parishioners immediately after his conviction in an ecclesiastical court. ing.
Bishop W. Sean McKnight of Jefferson City began investigating Medina in April 2022 after receiving a report through the diocese's abuse hotline. the diocese said.
On November 27, 2023, Bishop Medina of Our Lady of Lake Parish in the Lake of the Ozarks was convicted under the Pontifical Decree against the Roman Doctrine of the Faith. Medina did not appeal this decision.
“I want to be clear that sexual solicitation during confession is blasphemy, a crime in our church, and a serious form of abuse. It is unacceptable,” Bishop McKnight said in a statement. . “With God's help, we must continue to work to eradicate abuse from every corner of the Church.
“I met and spoke with Medina to express my concerns and informed him that he is not allowed to celebrate or celebrate Mass in public,” the bishop said. However, he can celebrate funeral Masses for his immediate family, attend the annual general meeting of priests, and attend the Eucharistic Mass, the Mass celebrated by the bishop for priests.
Medina continues to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Jefferson City and continues to receive support as a retired priest, the diocese said.
“We are grateful to the victims of this incident for coming forward and pray for their healing,” Bishop McKnight said.
“As we move forward together, we face the terrible reality of abuse with the hope and grace of the gospel that provides the healing we all need and seek the renewal of the church,” he added.
