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	Thomas H. Teczar No Longer a Priest By Ray Delisle Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester September 9, 2011 http://www.worcesterdiocese.org/communications/ThomasTeczarRemovedfromPriesthood/tabid/1233/Default.aspx WORCESTER, MA -- Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, has announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has decreed that Thomas H. Teczar is no longer in the clerical state. This is the most severe canonical penalty the Holy Father can impose on a priest. As a result of the Holy Father’s decision, Mr. Teczar may no longer function in any capacity as a priest. Ordained in 1967, Thomas Teczar has not had faculties from the Diocese of Worcester to minister publicly since 1984. He was convicted in 2009 in Texas of aggravated assault and indecency with a child and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Along with announcing the Holy Father’s decision, Bishop McManus has asked for prayers for healing for all those who have been harmed by Thomas Teczar and all who have suffered sexual abuse, in particular by members of the clergy. Bishop McManus encourages anyone in need of pastoral assistance as a result of clerical abuse to contact the diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator in the Office of Healing and Prevention by calling 508-929-4363. The Diocese of Worcester is committed to creating safe environments in all diocesan facilities and continues to work closely with local law enforcement agencies and community resources to support that commitment. The diocesan background screening of more than 30,000 employees and volunteers over the past decade is but one example of how it has been fully supportive of the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Diocese of Worcester has been found compliant in all independent audits regarding its policies and procedures in relation to the national charter.
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