Idaho Priest Removed from Missouri Parish

By Bill Roberts
Idaho Statesman
November 5, 2013

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/11/05/2852528/idaho-priest-removed-from-missouri.html

The Rev. Jorge Ramirez, an Idaho Catholic priest serving in the Kansas City-St Joseph Diocese in Missouri, has been relieved of his duties by Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn.

Ramirez had been serving as the priest at Sacred Heart-Guadalupe, a largely Hispanic parish, in Kansas City.

In a letter read to parishioners last weekend, Finn wrote, “My office has received a variety of complaints concerning Fr. Ramirez which I have considered serious enough to merit removing him from his priestly responsibilities at the parish.”

He did not provide specifics details.

Ramirez was removed last Friday. His removal did not involve impropriety with a minor, Finn said.

Idaho Catholic diocese officials also said there is no indication of any criminal activity.

Ramirez was ordained in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise in June 2006. He asked to seek a position outside the diocese and was assigned to a parish in the Kansas City diocese on Jan. 1, 2008, Boise Diocese officials said. He was appointed priest of Sacred Heart-Guadalupe last June. He remains affiliated with the Idaho diocese.

During his time in Idaho, Ramirez served at Blessed John Paul II Parish, Idaho Falls, in 2006-2007 and Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Caldwell in 2007-2008.

Contact: broberts@idahostatesman.com