OHIO
Beacon Journal
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
Published: January 31, 2014
The Rev. Samuel R. Ciccolini has regained the key role of his identity as a priest.
“After consultation with his advisers, the Bishop [Richard G. Lennon] has granted Father Sam’s petition to say public Mass and hear confessions,” said Robert Tayek, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
A popular Roman Catholic priest from Akron known as “Father Sam,” Ciccolini was granted early retirement for health reasons last May. At that time, he was prohibited from public ministry and could only say private Mass (with no one present) because of a felony conviction for cheating on his taxes and committing bank fraud.
Ciccolini, 71, was released from federal prison last April, after serving a six-month sentence.
The mandatory retirement age for priests in the diocese is 75.
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