CV NEWS FEED // The Vatican barred a priest in Missouri from celebrating Mass or offering confessions after determining that he is guilty of committing a sacrilege by soliciting sex to an adult in the confessional.
In April 2022, Bishop Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City launched an investigation after a report was filed to the diocese abuse hotline. The report alleged that Father Ignazio Medina of the Diocese of Jefferson City was guilty of “sexual solicitation of an adult on the occasion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” according to FOX News on January 8, 2024.
According to Catholic church law, soliciting in confession is a “grave delict,” that can only be pardoned by the Holy Father, upon the request of the sinner via his bishop or religious superior.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome determined on November 27, 2023 that Medina was guilty, and would no longer be permitted to celebrate Mass or hear confessions for the public. Medina was ordained a priest in 1978.
According to FOX, McKnight said, “I want to be clear that sexual solicitation during confession is a sacrilege, a crime in our Church, and a grave form of abuse; it cannot be tolerated.”
“With God’s help we must work to continue to eradicate abuse from all corners of our Church. Please join me in prayer for all who are left in pain and confusion when a trusted leader abuses their position of sacred trust and power for sinful purposes,” McKnight added:
I have met with Father Medina to express my concerns and informed him he will not be allowed to celebrate or concelebrate Mass publicly except for funeral Masses of his immediate family, at the gathering of priests at their annual conference in October, and at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week.
“I thank the victim in this case for stepping forward, and I pray for healing,” McKnight said. “I also thank all who helped during the investigation and disciplinary process.”
“In addition, I am very grateful for our clergy, parish staff and parishioners who are dedicated to ensuring our diocesan Safe Environment protocols are followed,” McKnight said. Any staff member or volunteer for a diocese in the United States is required to first take a Safe Environment training course.
“As we move forward together, I seek the renewal of our Church by facing the awful reality of abuse with the hope and grace of the Gospel which provides the healing we all need,” McKnight concluded.
