ARGENTINA
The Public Opinion
Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — In a story Nov. 6 about papal action against a pedophile priest, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the man was excommunicated. He was stripped of priestly status, not excommunicated.
A corrected version of the story is below:
Pope defrocks pedophile Argentine priest
Clerical abuse victims applaud pope’s decision to defrock pedophile Argentine priest
By ALMUDENA CALATRAVA
Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Pope Francis has defrocked a pedophile Argentine priest, a move applauded by advocates for victims of clerical abuse.
Jose Mercau was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2011 after admitting to sexually abusing four teenagers. He spent 15 days in jail and was then held in a monastery in Buenos Aires province until he was released last March.
The pope’s decision was made public Wednesday by the bishopric of San Isidro on the outskirts of the Argentine capital.
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