NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      SAN FRANCISCO (CWNews.com) - A nun who worked with the priest at the center of a sexual scandal involving the former bishop of Santa Rosa, California, raised questions about the validity of his ordination, according the San Francisco Chronicle on Saturday.

      Bishop Patrick Ziemann resigned from his office last Wednesday after Father Jorge Hume Salas filed a lawsuit accusing the bishop of coercion and sexual abuse. A lawyer for the bishop has admitted that the bishop and Salas had engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship, but said it was completely consensual and denied the charges.

      Sister Jane Kelly, who worked at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Ukiah where Salas was assigned, said she originally oversaw Salas who began working there as a lay youth minister in 1992. Salas, who was recruited from South America by Bishop Ziemann, was ordained by the bishop in 1996. Kelly told the Chronicle that the circumstances of Salas' ordination were suspicious, saying repeated requests of the diocese for proof that Salas attended seminary were rebuffed.

      In 1996, Bishop Ziemann removed Salas as pastor of St. Mary's after he admitted stealing $1,200, after which Salas claimed the bishop forced him to engage in sex or face prosecution.

Articles provided through Catholic World News and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and International Dossiers, Daily Dispatches and Features at ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.