Archbishop Burke starts process to dismiss priest from clerical state

Published: 2008-03-18

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of St. Louis said March 5 that he must proceed with the canonical process of dismissing dissident priest Father Marek Bozek from the clerical state because he has refused to return to his home diocese to be reconciled with the Catholic Church. A priest of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Father Bozek was suspended in December 2005 by his bishop for abandoning his assignment and his diocese to take a job as pastor offered to him by St. Stanislaus Kostka Corp. at its church in St. Louis. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish was suppressed by the archdiocese over the governing board's refusal to bring parish structures into conformity with canon law. The corporation that runs it is considered to be functioning outside the communion of the church. In December 2005, Archbishop Burke declared that the six members of the lay board and Father Bozek were excommunicated. On March 5 Father Bozek was scheduled to attend a hearing with Archbishop Burke and two canon lawyers assessing the case. In a press conference just before the meeting, the Polish-born priest announced that he would not attend.

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