LEXINGTON (KY)
Herald-Leader
By Frank E. Lockwood
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
A Catholic priest in Lexington has been permanently removed from active ministry after "credible" allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him, church officials announced yesterday.
Rev. William J. "Bill" Spine, a Jesuit priest and associate director of the Lexington diocese's Hispanic ministry office, was relieved of his duties Thursday.
The 65-year-old priest will no longer live or work in the Lexington area, said Father James Gschwend, an official with the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus.
It's uncertain what Spine will do now. "He certainly will not be placed anywhere where he would be any harm to children," Gschwend said.
Spine had served in the Lexington diocese since 2001.