PHILADELPHIA (PA)
York Daily Record
The Associated Press
Updated: 07/15/2012
PHILADELPHIA—The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia says a priest involved in online money-making promotions and suspended after federal agents seized a computer from his inner-city rectory has been barred from public ministry.
The Rev. Geraldo Pinero, who called himself “Jerry from Philly” online, stepped down as pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord in north Philadelphia following the November 2010 raid.
Archdiocese officials said in a news release Sunday that Pinero since then has been barred from public ministry and also prohibited from wearing clerical garb or presenting himself as a priest. They cited the raid and said the finding was due to “a substantiated violation of the standards of ministerial behavior and boundaries” but were not more specific.
Pinero, 47, known as “Father Jerry” in the parish, advertised scented candles, life coaching and get-rich-quick ideas online. An archdiocese spokeswoman has said that priests are typically not permitted to pursue secular jobs, except for teaching and other approved posts.
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