Retired local Catholic priest barred from confession, Mass after church finds him guilty

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Catholic Church has found a retired priest in the Diocese of Jefferson City guilty of soliciting sex and barred him from some priestly activities.

The diocese said in a news release Wednesday that Father Ignazio Medina solicited sex from an adult during a confession. The adult called an abuse hotline.

He was found guilty at a church trial on Nov. 27 and barred from hearing confessions, taking part in Mass or holding office in the church, the diocese statement says.

"Upon receiving the report, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City immediately placed temporary restrictions on Father Medina, barring him from hearing confessions and from being alone with anyone other than his family on church property," the release says. "He also launched a preliminary investigation into the actions of Father Medina, who was then pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Ozark."

Medina chose not to appeal the church court's findings.

A church court last spring determined that Medina stole $300,000 in church money while he was pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish in Wardsville.

A press release stated Medina, who no longer holds any office in the diocese, paid the church back. The church court also issued a $26,000 penalty to reimburse the dioceses for audit and legal expenses, according to a press release.