By Josh Dulaney
The Sun
April 7, 2011
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_17789839
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SAN BERNARDINO - A Roman Catholic priest who has admitted to a past sexual relationship with a second cousin has taken a leave of absence from his ministry, a spokesman for the Diocese of San Bernardino confirmed Wednesday.
The Rev. Michael Manning, who says he had the relationship with Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski, has stepped aside for the time being from Wordnet, a worldwide Catholic television ministry based in San Bernardino, according to John Andrews, a spokesman for the diocese.
Andrews said that often when a priest engages in misconduct of such magnitude, he is encouraged to take time away from his religious service to reflect on how it happened and how he will move forward.
"And that was something that we and Father Manning mutually came to, (that) it would be good for him to take a leave of absence," Andrews said.
Manning could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
He recently admitted to the relationship when asked about copies of correspondence between him and Kotowski that seemingly showed the two ending an intimate relationship more than two years ago.
He said he and Kotowski are no longer sexually involved with each other.
The 70-year-old priest is a member of the Society of the Divine Word, a missionary community with thousands of members throughout the world.
Andrews said a local official with the group was unavailable to comment Wednesday.
Manning in 2006 was presented with the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice Cross, which means "for the Church and the Holy Father."
Bishop Gerald Barnes of the diocese requested the award for meritorious service from Pope Benedict XVI, for Manning's ministry in the Catholic Church.
Andrews said both Barnes and the Society of the Divine Word have religious authority over Manning.
Barnes was not available for comment Wednesday, according to Andrews.
Manning has a TV show called "The Word in the World." The program can be seen weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
John Casoria, a spokesman for the network, said Trinity would look into the matter, "but if we confirm it, we will probably take appropriate action on it."
Casoria wouldn't say if that meant pulling Manning's program off the network.
"I can't comment on it one way or the other," he said. "We're obviously surprised and we pray for Manning in this situation."
Manning has said that he and Kotowski acknowledged their sexual relationship was wrong.
The correspondence reveals Manning working through his relationship with Kotowski as he seeks to stay true to his religious vows.
He wrote of living a double life - one vowed to celibacy and another as a sexually active man involved with Kotowski.
Manning told her that he was overwhelmed with the burden of deception and that he battled hypocrisy.
He said he has sought and received forgiveness from God.
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