Catholic church defrocks two priests, bars pastor from ministry

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -

The Roman Catholic Church defrocked a priest convicted of child-pornography years ago because he continued to celebrate Mass and perform other public duties after having been barred from them, church officials confirmed Friday.

Another priest, accused in 1993 of misconduct involving a minor, was defrocked at his own request, while a retired monsignor was permanently barred from the ministry after allegations were raised that he abused two sisters in the 1960s.

The Philadelphia archdiocese announced the moves in its newspaper this week.

One defrocked priest, the Rev. Edward M. DePaoli, 60, was convicted on the pornography charges in 1986. DePaoli was an assistant pastor at a parish in Oreland when he was convicted for possessing magazines, films and videos of underage boys.

He received a one-year suspended sentence, was sent to counseling and placed in restricted ministry, barred from administering sacraments or saying Mass in public. He was dismissed after the archdiocese learned in 2002 that he had celebrated Mass and performed other public duties.

Read the article at AP Wire Dated June 03, 2005

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