Vatican backs Detroit cardinal on priests in abuse cases

Published: 2004-01-19

DETROIT (CNS) -- The Vatican has supported actions taken by Detroit Cardinal Adam J. Maida to laicize one priest who pleaded guilty to a sex abuse charge and to place another priest on leave and restrict him from public ministry over a substantive allegation of sex abuse. Pope John Paul II issued a decree of dismissal from the clerical state for Father Joseph Sito, the first involuntary laicization of a Detroit priest for child sexual abuse, the archdiocese announced Jan. 11. In the case of the second priest, Father James Wysocki, an archdiocesan statement said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith informed the cardinal it rejected the priest's appeal of the cardinal's decision to place him on administrative leave, effective Feb. 1, 2003, and restrict him from public ministry because of credible allegations of sexual abuse. The case involved a minor male during the early years of Father Wysocki's ministry. The priest, 63, refused to resign as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Marine City and appealed to the Vatican.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .