BAKERSFIELD (CA)
Monterey Herald
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - A priest who left his northern Central Valley parish amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior will soon begin working at a Bakersfield church.
The Rev. Jean-Michael Lastiri left St. Patrick's Parish in Merced in July 2004 after parishioners claimed he visited gay Web sites on the Internet seeking potential lovers, the Merced Sun-Star reported last year.
Bishop John Steinbock of the Diocese of Fresno issued a statement then, calling Lastiri's actions compulsive and addictive. He sent Lastiri to an institute for spiritual counseling.
"Lastiri apologizes for any pain he has caused the community and wishes to seek the appropriate help to overcome his compulsive behavior so that he may return, with God's grace, to full ministry as a good and faithful priest," Steinbock wrote.