A Missouri priest has been found guilty of engaging in sexual solicitation during a confessor's confession, local church officials announced Monday.
Ignazio Medina, a former priest of the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, has been found guilty after an ecclesiastical tribunal, according to reports. release. The ruling has an immediate impact on Medina. He is currently prohibited from performing any priestly duties, including publicly celebrating Mass or hearing confessions from the congregation. The decision came after an investigation led by Bishop W. Sean McKnight.
The investigation into Medina's conduct began in April 2022 following a complaint received through the diocese's abuse hotline, according to a press release. This led to an investigation into the allegations against Medina, who served at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in the Lake of the Ozarks. The Holy See of the Faith in Rome sentenced Medina on November 27, 2023. Medina chose not to contest the ruling. (Related article: Former Catholic priest sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking and sexual abuse of 17 men)
Missouri Catholic priest asks for sex during confession: church https://t.co/tcHKZ36MpP pic.twitter.com/dkzzjnhhrD
— New York Post (@nypost) January 7, 2024
“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 the release. . “With God’s help, we must continue to work to eradicate abuse from every corner of the Church. Trusted leaders who abuse their sacred positions of trust and power for sinful purposes must Please join me in praying for all those left behind in pain and confusion.”
“We are grateful to the victims of this incident for coming forward and pray for their healing,” Bishop McKnight said. “We would also like to thank everyone who cooperated with us during the investigation and disciplinary process.”
It was previously reported that a panel of judges had found Medina guilty of stealing from a church. An internal investigation revealed that the retired pastor had misappropriated $300,000 from the parish. press release.
The inquiry was led by three judges, each with expertise in canon law. They determined that then-former pastor Ignazio Medina was responsible for abusing the church's authority for financial misconduct.
