Priest Stripped of Duties, Could Face Removal from Church

KZTV
December 4, 2014

http://www.kztv10.com/news/priest-stripped-of-duties-could-face-removal-from-church/

CORPUS CHRISTI- A local priest accused of inappropriate behavior has been stripped off his duties.

Monsignor Michael Heras resigned back in July after several men came forward, claiming he acted inappropriately towards them back in the mid 1980's.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Corpus Christi says that Heras has been banned from presenting himself as a priest anywhere.

In addition, The Vatican is still investigating the case and Heras could face what is known as "laicization".

That process is considered the harshest punishment for priests in the Catholic Church.

It would mean his priesthood would be stripped permanently.

No criminal charges were pursued because the statute of limitations had run out.