January 6, 2003 - Response to “Church to Defrock Clergymen,” The
Boston Herald, Jan. 5, 2004
“Archdiocesan spokesman the Rev. Christopher Coyne confirmed
yesterday that Church officials recently asked some accused clergy to
voluntarily
leave the priesthood.”
I was asked by the reporter to confirm the status of the cases involving
two unnamed priests. The policy of the Archdiocese of Boston is not
to make comment regarding the status of any investigation of clergy
misconduct
until a final determination has been made in the case. In addition,
I do not possess any information regarding the status of any particular
case other than that all cases are still ongoing. Therefore, I could
not nor would not confirm the reporter’s question.
I was, however, asked if a possible resolution to any of these cases
could involve voluntary laicization or a Church trial leading to the
priest being removed from the clerical state. My answer to that question
was “yes.”
It was unfortunate and inaccurate for the story to report that I confirmed
the question as to the particular status of the two unnamed priests.
Father Christopher Coyne,
Spokesperson, Archdiocese of Boston
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