Two priests suspended by Tucson Diocese dismissed from clerical state

Published: 2004-08-10

TUCSON, Ariz. (CNS) -- Two suspended priests of the Diocese of Tucson have been involuntarily laicized by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the approval of Pope John Paul II. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson announced in an Aug. 5 letter to Catholics in his diocese that Robert Trupia and Michael Teta, both 56, had been "dismissed from the clerical state" following "credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors." "In both of these cases, the Holy Father himself made the final decisions, which are not open to appeal," he added. Neither of the two had been allowed to exercise any priestly ministry since the early 1990s, but each had been receiving financial support from the diocese until the Vatican's action. "Dismissal from the clerical state means Trupia and Teta have no authority or right to perform the ministry of a priest, to wear clerical garb or to identify themselves by any church title," said an Aug. 5 news release from the diocese. "They will not receive any financial support or benefits from the diocese." Neither former priest has faced trial on criminal charges of sex abuse because of the statute of limitations.

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