Tennessee priest will serve 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex crimes
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&view=post&articleid=286938&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Father Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, a priest in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, will serve seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sex abuse. / Credit: Courtesy of the Franklin Police DepartmentCNA Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 13:23 pm (CNA).A priest in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, will serve seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sex abuse.Father Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza was indicted last year on several counts of sexual battery and other crimes, some of which involved children and some adults. The priest was charged with eight crimes in February 2024 and two more in June of that year.The Diocese of Nashville said in the Nashville Catholic this week that Garcia had pleaded guilty to the February charges. Those crimes include "continuous sexual abuse of a child," aggravated sexual battery, and "sexual battery by an authority figure." In addition to the prison sentence, the priest will be listed in the state sex of...
Father Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, a priest in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, will serve seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sex abuse. / Credit: Courtesy of the Franklin Police Department
CNA Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 13:23 pm (CNA).
A priest in the Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, will serve seven years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sex abuse.
Father Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza was indicted last year on several counts of sexual battery and other crimes, some of which involved children and some adults. The priest was charged with eight crimes in February 2024 and two more in June of that year.
The Diocese of Nashville said in the Nashville Catholic this week that Garcia had pleaded guilty to the February charges. Those crimes include "continuous sexual abuse of a child," aggravated sexual battery, and "sexual battery by an authority figure."
In addition to the prison sentence, the priest will be listed in the state sex offender registry.
The diocese also indicated that he would be removed from the priesthood. Garcia "agreed not to contest laicization from the priesthood," the statement said.
The Nashville Diocese said last year that it first learned of accusations against Garcia in November 2023 when "a teen in the parish had made a report of improper touching" involving the priest.
The diocese made a report to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services; it also contracted with a former FBI agent to oversee the diocesan investigation into the claims.
The Vatican, meanwhile, was "informed and involved from the outset of this matter, directing the appropriate canonical processes," the diocese said this week.
The Franklin Police Department on Monday confirmed the report of the guilty plea via a post on X.
"Thanks to our detectives and the District AG's Office for their hard work on this case," the police department said.
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=286942&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Pope Leo XIV visits the Poor Clares of Albano on July 15, 2025. / Credit: Vatican MediaACI Prensa Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 19:07 pm (CNA).Pope Leo XIV made his first "getaway" from Castel Gandolfo to visit the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception of the Poor Clares of Albano, located within the Papal Villas.After celebrating Mass on Tuesday morning in the chapel of the Carabinieri station in Castel Gandolfo, where he is staying during his vacation, Pope Leo headed to the nearby monastery, where he was warmly welcomed by the nuns.The pontiff paused in prayer in the monastery chapel, sharing a moment of silence and contemplation with the sisters, whom he later greeted one by one, emphasizing that "it is beautiful that the Church knows your life, because it is a valuable testimony."The encounter generated various images of tenderness, reflected in the joyful and grateful faces of the Sisters of St. Clare, whose mission is to pray for the pope, for the Church, and for all of Vatican...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=286939&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski serves on the Committee on Migration of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. / Credit: "The World Over with Raymond Arroyo"/EWTN News screenshotWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 15, 2025 / 12:53 pm (CNA).With the Trump administration having "effectively achieved control of the border," Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski is now urging the president and Congress to turn to expanding legal pathways for unlawfully present migrants who have committed no other crimes to obtain citizenship.In a statement and interview with archdiocesan media, Wenski argued that the U.S. "faces labor shortages in many industries, including health care, service, and agriculture. Removing immigrant workers will only exacerbate these shortages.""Rather than spending billions to deport people who are already contributing positively to our nation's well-being, it would be more financially sensible and more morally acceptable for Congress, working with the administration,...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=286937&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The exterior of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. / Credit: John MaurerCNA Staff, Jul 15, 2025 / 14:10 pm (CNA).The Diocese of Green Bay can close down a historic parish in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the Vatican has ruled, bringing an end to efforts by a small group of parishioners to prevent the permanent shuttering of the church.The Apostolic Signatura, the highest court at the Holy See, ruled against parishioner efforts to save St. Boniface Church from closure. The ruling affirms Bishop David Ricken's 2023 order relegating the parish building to "profane but not sordid use.""Planning for the disposition of the church, contents, and property is underway," the diocese said in a statement announcing the Vatican's decision."Please continue to pray for the parish and community," the diocese added.The interior of St. Boniface Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Credit: John Maurer The order brings an end to a multiyear, multimillion-dollar effort to save St. Bonifa...
