Archdiocesan Priests Removed From Ministry

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Three archdiocesan priests have been removed from ministry.

Msgr. Edward Barry, 72, former pastor of Holy Rosary parish in Hawthorne, and Father Andrew Florez, 67, have had allegations of the sexual abuse of minors found to be credible and substantiated by the archdiocesan Lay Review Board. In each case, the priest retained the presumption of innocence and was allowed to participate in his defense. As is archdiocesan protocol, the allegations were shared with law enforcement, investigated by outside professionals and the entire matter carefully examined by the archdiocesan Lay Review Board, which concluded that the allegations had been substantiated. Both priests have been permanently removed from ministry, and may not publicly present themselves as priests.

Michael O’Leary, 51, a former priest of the archdiocese, has had his request for a return to the lay state granted by the Holy See. (Although he subsequently withdrew his request, the Holy Father still returned him to the lay state.) He was arrested in March 2019 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell. His legal case is still pending.