By Mark Mueller/The Star-Ledger
on May 03, 2013
The Newark Archdiocese has released a statement citing the resignation letter of the Rev. Michael Fugee, the priest who interacted with minors despite an agreement with law enforcement barring him from doing so.
Fugee’s actions, disclosed by The Star-Ledger last week, have created an enormous controversy for Archbishop John J. Myers, who, through a spokesman, had argued Fugee’s interactions did not violate the agreement because he was under supervision. The archdiocese reversed course Thursday night, announcing the priest’s resignation.
Below is the text of the release by James Goodness:
On Thursday, May 2, Fr. Michael Fugee, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, wrote the following to The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark:
“For the good of the Church and for my peace, I have requested permission to leave public exercise of my priestly ministry.
“In conscience, I feel it necessary to make clear to all that my actions described in recent news stories were outside of my assigned ministry within the Archdiocese. The leadership of the Archdiocese of Newark, especially Archbishop John Myers, did not know or approve of my actions. My failure to request the required permissions to engage in those ministry activities is my fault, my fault alone.
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