BishopAccountability.org
	Church Status Is a Subject of Confusion By Conor Berry Berkshire Eagle February 11, 2011 http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_17356949 Referring to convicted child rapist Gary Mercure as "the Rev. Gary Mercure" during his Berkshire Superior Court trial became a bone of contention for some area Catholics -- including those who complained to The Eagle for using his formal title in the newspaper's coverage of the case. Technically, though, Mercure remains a Catholic priest, according to Ken Goldfarb, director of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The Albany Diocese permanently removed Mercure from "priestly ministry" in 2008, which included eliminating him from the diocesan payroll and barring him from dressing or identifying himself as a priest. That means Mercure can no longer function as a priest, serve Mass, or perform any other Catholic sacrament. However, only the Vatican has authority to return Mercure to civilian life, so to speak. "The process is known as ‘laicization,' or literally returning a priest to the lay state," Goldfarb said. "The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is carefully considering the canonical option of laicization for Gary Mercure." Goldfarb declined to say when a decision might be made. Mercure does, however, continue to collect pension benefits from the diocese, which is legally obligated to pay him. During Mercure's 34-year tenure in the diocese -- from 1974 to 2008 -- he, like other church employees, earned pension benefits that he'll continue to receive. "He's entitled to these benefits under the law," said Goldfarb, adding that the Albany Diocese cannot terminate them. Church officials declined to indicate who paid Mercure's legal bills in the Berkshire County rape case, but Goldfarb emphasized that no diocesan funds were used in Mercure's legal defense. Besides being removed from the payroll, Mercure is barred from living in diocesan housing and may no longer be referred to as "Father Mercure," according to the diocese. To reach Conor Berry: cberry@berkshireeagle.com or (413) 496-6249.
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