By Griselda D. Ramirez
The Californian
April 7, 2011
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20110407/NEWS01/104070315
 |
| Nancy Kotowski |
The Monterey County Superintendent of Schools said Wednesday that she will continue to serve the district and students in the wake of a widely disclosed long-term relationship with her cousin, a Catholic priest who hosts a TV show and popular religious website.
"We are both deeply committed to what we were called in our lives to do — he as a priest serving the people of God around the world and me in my service to all children of Monterey County," Superintendent Nancy Kotowski told The Californian in a phone interview Wednesday.
The priest in question, Rev. Michael Manning, has a worldwide television ministry based in San Bernardino. He admitted to having a sexual relationship with Kotowski when questioned by a reporter from the San Bernardino Sun newspaper earlier this week.
The revelation came to light when anonymous emails were sent to the newspaper that indicated the relationship between the two had ended.
"Someone broke into one confidential correspondence written over two years ago," Kotowski said. "It is one snippet in time of a discerning process. It so happens that this one email was written while we were discerning God's will for our lives — to marry or to commit and embrace the vows of celibacy."
Both Manning and she agreed on the decision to honor his celibacy and end the sexual component of the relationship.
Kotowski, 59, was elected to her second term as county superintendent of schools in 2010 in a tough and close election that pitted her against Salinas City School District Superintendent Donna Alonzo Vaughan.
Asked whether the revelation would affect her ability to continue in elected office, Kotowski drew a clear distinction.
"My personal life has absolutely nothing to do with my service," she said.
As for whether the relationship reflected on her judgment, Kotowski said: "[I am not] going to answer a question like that."
For his part, Manning says that he was wrong to have conducted the affair with his cousin for so long.
"We've been such good friends and there's a deep love we have for each other," Manning said. "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."
Manning, 70, started the nonprofit Wordnet, a Catholic television ministry, in 1978. Wordnet's programs are filmed and edited in the ministry's downtown studio.
John Andrews, spokesman for the diocese, said Manning is a pioneer in Catholic television and that the diocese supports him as he moves forward.
Manning said that before being questioned about the correspondence, he discussed the matter with his confessor only.
"We are soul mates. Our friendship and love grew over 30 years to the point where we needed to make a decision whether we were to marry or not," Kotowski said on Wednesday. "I support him in his commitment to celibacy and priesthood.
"Everyone deserves a love in their life," Kotowski said, of her relationship with Manning.
On Wednesday, Kotowski was at the Monterey County Office of Education board of trustees meeting.
The board meeting comes after Kotowski, Mayor Dennis Donohue and other Salinas leaders attended the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention this week in Washington, D.C.
County school board President Ronald Panziera said the trustees were at the board meeting for "board business" and no one discussed the superintendent's relationship with Manning.
According to Andrews, the diocese spokesman, Manning has sought forgiveness and the diocese supports him.
Manning's TV show, "The Word in the World," can be seen weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
He has appeared as a guest on several national TV shows, including "Larry King Live."
Manning, who at one time led St. Anthony Parish on Western Avenue, is a member of the Society of the Divine Word, a missionary community with 6,000 members in 62 countries.
Manning teaches at retreats and on religious tours around the world and his ministry's website at www.wordnet.tv is saturated with teaching materials for sale.
Kotowski has 35 years of experience in education and holds several degrees, including a doctorate in education policy and organization from the University of Southern California.
She was recognized by the Peace Corps as a Volunteer of the Year for her education development work in Cameroon, and that she sits on several boards, including the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas.
Neither Manning nor Kotowski would say how long they were sexually involved.
The correspondence the San Bernardino newspaper uncovered appears to reveal a conflicted priest struggling to remain faithful to his calling.
"The reality is I was living two lives: one as a priest who was vowed to celibacy and another life as a sexually active man in our sexual intimacy," Manning wrote.
Going forward with the ministry is "probably going to be very awkward," he said, adding that he is considering taking a break from the ministry.
Contact: gramirez@thecalifornian.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.