The Deacon's Bench
At Sunday Masses over the weekend, [Father] LaHood read a letter from Bishop Barry C. Knestout, Washington archdiocesan vicar general, announcing Guarnizo had been removed from the parish and barred from priestly ministry in the archdiocese until issues surrounding his behavior are resolved.
It said his removal followed “credible allegations” that the priest “has engaged in intimidating behavior toward parish staff and others that is incompatible with proper priestly ministry.”
Before reading the letter, LaHood said he had been in discussions with Knestout about Guarnizo in the last week, but he said emphatically, “The issue discussed this week did not have to do with the distribution of Communion two weeks ago. Let me repeat that: The issue discussed this week did not have to do with the distribution of Communion two weeks ago. The issue pertains to actions over the past week or so.”
He did not elaborate, and Washington archdiocesan officials have declined to comment further, calling it “a personnel issue.” LaHood did say he agreed fully with Knestout’s decision.
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