SEATTLE (WA)
The Seattle Times
By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times staff reporter
The Vatican has permanently barred from ministry Gerald Moffat, a local priest accused of child sexual abuse.
The decision means Moffat can no longer call himself "father," wear priestly garb or present himself as a priest. It is a step short of defrocking.
Two men had come forward with allegations against Moffat, who most recently served as pastor of St. Hubert Church on Whidbey Island.
One, who has remained anonymous, said in a lawsuit that Moffat molested him when he was about 12 or 13 years old, while the priest was assigned to St. James Cathedral in Seattle.