California priest who 'concelebrated' with Protestant asks forgiveness

February 23, 2011

A California priest who was suspended from ministry after he invited a Protestant minister to concelebrate Mass and share Communion has issued a statement apologizing and asking forgiveness.

Father Augstin Escobar admitted “a grave error on my part” and said that Bishop Todd Brown of Orange, California was justified in suspending his faculties. “I beg all of you to forgive me,” the priest said. He expressed the hope that he would eventually be allowed to return to active ministry, “with I will certainly do with a great deal more humility.”

 

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Further information:

• “I beg all of you to forgive me” (California Catholic Daily)
• Report: California priest concelebrates with Presbyterian minister (CWN 2/15)