Mexican bishop announces laicization of priest accused of sexual abuse of minors
MEXICO
Catholic News Agency
Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 31, 2009 / 06:28 pm (CNA).- Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martinez of Tehuacan announced this week the Holy See has approved the removal of “Nicolas Aguilar Rivera from the clerical state,” a priest who has been accused of the sexual abuse of minors in Mexico and the United States.
Bishop Aguilar explained that the decision by the Pope, which was made public by the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, is final and cannot be appealed. He said all the priests of the Diocese of Tehuacan have been informed of the decision.
While he expressed sadness over the case, Bishop Aguilar also noted that there are “many priests who have given and are giving honest and spiritual testimony to their priestly ministry, and this gives us comfort, peace and joy.”