Philly Priest Found Unsuitable for Ministry

WPVI
July 15, 2012

abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8737159


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - July 15, 2012 (WPVI) -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says a priest who was suspended after federal agents seized a computer from his inner-city rectory has been found unsuitable for ministry.

The Rev. Geraldo Pinero had stepped down as pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord parish in north Philadelphia following a November 2010 raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The archdiocese cited the raid and said the finding was due to "a substantiated violation of the standards of ministerial behavior and boundaries" but gave no other details.

Forty-seven-year-old Pinero was known as "Father Jerry" in the parish but called himself "Jerry From Philly" online, where he hawked scented candles, life coaching and get-rich-quick ideas

A listed number for Pinero had been disconnected and he could not immediately be reached for comment.