church finds missouri priest guilty of soliciting sex during confession
a catholic priest in missouri was found guilty by the c...
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a catholic priest in missouri was found guilty by the church of soliciting sex from an adult while hearing a confession. father ignazio medina, a priest with the diocese of jefferson city, was deemed guilty by decree by the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith in rome.
he was “permanently deprived” from holding any church office and hearing confessions from parishioners, effective immediately, the diocese said. he was also barred from celebrating mass to the public unless his bishop grants him permission, which will only happen in extraordinary circumstances.
medina, who was the pastor of our lady of the lake parish in lake ozark, did not to appeal the charge.
an investigation into medina was launched by bishop w. shawn mcknight of jefferson city after a report was filed through the diocese’s abuse hotline in april 2022.
“i want to be clear that sexual solicitation during confession is a sacrilege, a crime in our church and a grave form of abuse; it cannot be tolerated,” mcknight said.
“with god’s help, we must work to continue to eradicate abuse from all corners of our church,” he added, while urging people to pray for “all who are left in pain and confusion when a trusted leader abuses their position of sacred trust and power for sinful purposes.”
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the bishop said he met with medina to “express my concerns and informed him he will not be allowed to celebrate or concelebrate mass publicly.”
medina remains a priest of the diocese of jefferson city and continues to receive support as a retired priest.
the victim has been offered assistance for healing, mcknight said, adding, “i thank the victim in this case for stepping forward and i pray for healing.”
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