World News
Priest's work prevents unsupervised contact with kids, archdiocese says
Published: February 5, 2013
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The assignment of a priest who at one time admitted inappropriately touching a teenage boy to a new administrative post in the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., will not lead to unsupervised contact with children, an archdiocesan spokesman said. Father Michael Fugee was named as co-director of the Office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests in October by Newark Archbishop John J. Myers. Jim Goodness, archdiocesan spokesman, said that in the position Father Fugee primarily seeks out and forwards information on seminars, courses and books that night help clergy in their ministerial work. The information mostly is shared via email, Goodness said. "It's important to note we're not looking at a high, prestigious position," Goodness told Catholic News Service Feb. 5. The priest continues in his position as director of the archdiocese's Office of the Propagation of the Faith, Goodness added. Father Fugee also celebrates Mass at parishes around the archdiocese, filling in for priests on vacation or who are ill as part of priestly duties, Goodness said. Father Fugee continues in active ministry under a 2007 memorandum of understanding that calls for him not to have any unsupervised contact with children as long as he remains a priest, according to court records.
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