VENICE (FL)
News-Press
Written by
Lindsay Downey
Special to news-press.com
The Diocese of Venice has rejected a St. Leo Catholic Church former pastor’s resignation from the priesthood as it moves forward with a trial that accuses him of violations of obedience, celibacy and financial responsibility.
“No priest is able to renounce the Sacrament of Holy Orders or depart from the clerical state under his own volition,” the diocese Thursday said in a statement.
The Rev. Stan Strycharz submitted his resignation to the diocese April 20, three days before the start of his trial under canon law, or mandates of the Catholic Church, diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said.
The former pastor of the Bonita Springs church has not appeared at his trial as requested by the diocese and dismissed a canonical advocate appointed to defend him, Atwell said.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.