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	Superintendent Admits to Having a Relationship with a Priest By Lucero Benitez KION April 7, 2011 http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14399052 SALINAS, Calif- A California catholic priest admits to a relationship with Monterey County's top educator. Father Michael Manning said the relationship with his second cousin, Dr. Nancy Kotowski, ended about 3 years ago. "The truth is that our friendship and love for each other has grown over a 30 year period of time and we had become soul mates in so many ways," said Dr. Nancy Kotowski. The story first made headlines this morning in The Sun, a San Bernardino newspaper "Priest Admits He Had Affair." Fr Michael Manning confirmed to the paper that he had the relationship with Monterey County superintendent of schools Dr. Nancy Kotowski. According to Fr Michael Manning's web site, Manning has been producing a religious show since the 70's. It also says that Father Mike was recipient of an award from Pope Benedict back in 2006 Which is given to: individuals whose contributions rise to a level that deserves recognition by the universal church. This afternoon Nancy Kotowski spoke about the relationship. "It just reached a point of depth where a decision had to be made about marriage and we grappled and struggled with that as people do when they're faced with these kinds of choices and we both came to the conclusion that the right thing to do is the most honest thing that we couldn't be together without being married," said Kotowski. We tried to reach Father Manning but did not get a response. However he's quoted as saying "We've been such good friends and there's a deep love we have for each other, the sexuality was secondary. It's very hard when you care for someone, but I love my priesthood more. I admit the fact of my sinfulness . I've done wrong. That's why I've stopped." We spoke with sister Christine Schenck, via skype, from Future Church. They believe mandatory celibacy artificially restricts who can become a priest and is working to get rid of it. "Men would not have to choose between being able to have a normal sexual relationship with their spouse and their priesthood," said Schenck. And said it's the reason priests get involved in sexual relationships. "Reducing the requirement of mandatory celibacy could well lead to a reduction in the number of priests acting out inappropriately," said Schenck. Kotowski said celibacy was a struggle for her and Fr. Manning but they had to make a decision and worked it thru. Despite Fr. Manning being Kotowski's second cousin (her mother's cousin) and he being a priest, she has not done anything legally wrong. That hasn't stopped at least one email from coming into the newsroom asking for her resignation. When we asked about how it is being handled and who she will have to answer to, an assistant said, the voter.
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