KGUN 9 reports on the Pope defrocking two Tucson priests.
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● What does being defrocked mean?
It prevents priests from being able to function as clerics or to be associated with the Catholic Church.
● Who was defrocked?
Robert C. Trupia and Michael Teta, who have been accused of sexual abuse while working in the Tucson Catholic Diocese.
● What's next?
The diocese faces 20 pending lawsuits and has yet to decide whether to seek bankruptcy protection.
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Could other priests be defrocked?
The diocese is seeking to defrock two others, Juan Guillen and Julian Sanz. Both are in prison.
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● What about other accused priests?
Some are retired and kept from functioning in the priesthood but will not be defrocked. Others are facing allegations that don't currently meet standards for criminal prosecution as well as criteria for removal from the priesthood. Some also have died.
● 1990, 1991: The Catholic Diocese of Tucson relieves the Rev. Michael Teta and Monsignor Robert C. Trupia of ministerial duties.
● 1992: The diocese begins the process of laicizing Trupia and tries to defrock him. The local diocese also tries to defrock Teta, who lives in Tucson. Teta and Trupia continue to receive monthly pay from the diocese.
● Jan. 8, 2001: Trupia is arrested in Yuma on seven felony counts of child molestation, but the charges are dropped the next day because they violated the criminal statute of limitations.
● Oct. 6: For the first time, the diocese acknowledges publicly that it suspended Teta and Trupia in the early 1990s.
● Jan. 30, 2002:
The diocese reaches an out-of-court settlement of $14 million with 10 men who said they were sexually abused by local priests in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Churches named in civil suits filed by the men included Our Mother of Sorrows church and school in Tucson.
● Feb. 21: The diocese turns over Trupia's name to the Pima County prosecutor who oversees sex crimes.
● June 21: The diocese releases the names of 15 priests who have had "credible" accusations of child sexual abuse lodged against them, including Teta and Trupia.
● February 2003: Trupia is reportedly living in Maryland and continues to receive a monthly payment from the diocese.
● 2004: The Diocese of Tucson asks the Vatican to permanently remove two of those accused of molesting from the priesthood - Trupia and Teta.
● August 2004: Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas announces the two priests have been defrocked by the Vatican.
Research by Marlene Dekker
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