Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Priest-founder of Life Teen youth ministry laicized

PHOENIX -- (National Catholic Reporter) A former Mesa pastor has been officially dismissed from the priesthood, officials for the Diocese of Phoenix announced Feb. 16.

Dale Fushek was recently notified he has been laicized. The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had been investigating the former pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa and one-time vicar general for the diocese for alleged sexual abuse of minors. The Vatican's findings in that investigation resulted in his removal from the priesthood.

Fushek gained prominence throughout the 1980s and 1990s for co-founding Life Teen, an international youth ministry program.

Pope Benedict XVI ordered his dismissal from the priesthood, according to a diocesan statement....

http://www.whollyroamincatholic.com/images/lifeteen.jpg
Life Teen Mass

Diocesan officials reminded Catholics that any ceremonies -- baptisms, weddings, confessions or the anointing of the sick -- performed by Fushek or others at the Praise and Worship Center are not legitimate sacraments for Catholics and would not be recognized by the Catholic Church.

The bishop asked the diocese's Catholics to pray for reconciliation and healing in this situation.

h/t to NLM

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