MERCED (CA)
Merced Sun-Star
By Adam Ashton
AASHTON@MERCEDSUN-STAR.COM
Last Updated: June 7, 2005, 04:15:25 AM PDT
The Merced priest who lost his parish nearly a year ago because of accusations that he sought sex over the Internet has a new assignment as an associate pastor within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno.
The Rev. Jean-Michael Lastiri, former administrator of Merced's St. Patrick's Parish, is expected to return on June 15 to St. Philip the Apostle Church in Bakersfield, said diocese spokesman Jesse Avila. Lastiri served as an associate pastor at St. Philip from 1987 to 1989.
Avila said Lastiri prepared himself for the assignment by seeking counseling at a Maryland center for troubled priests, where he had been directed by diocese leader Bishop John T. Steinbock last July after a group of parishioners uncovered Internet messages allegedly written by Lastiri seeking male sex partners.
Two weeks ago, St. Patrick's disclosed an internal audit showing that Lastiri had misspent $60,000 during his last two years at the parish's helm.
Avila said Lastiri will not have any administrative responsibilities in Bakersfield. Rather, he will take confessions, perform Mass and visit hospitals and jails.
Posted by kshaw at June 7, 2005 03:55 PM