California priest in TV ministry on leave after revelation of affair
April 08, 2011
A California priest who hosts a popular television show has been placed on a leave of absence from ministry after it emerged that he had engaged in a long-running affair with a woman.
Father Michael Manning, whose program "The Word in the World" reached more than 200,000 homes, admitted that to a sexual relationship with Nancy Kotowski, the superintendent of schools in Monterey County, California. Kotowski is Manning's second cousin.
The Diocese of San Bernardino, where Father Manning is serving, said that he would "take some time to reflect on what he’s gone through and why it happened and to look at that in the context of his priesthood to get himself oriented so he can go forward positively."
Father Manning has been engaged in television ministry since 1972.
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Further information:
- TV minister admits affair with Monterey County schools chief -- his cousin (Mercury-News)
- TV priest Mike Manning on leave after acknowledging affair (Los Angeles Times)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Apr. 08, 2011 11:18 PM ET USA
How did Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen escape this dreadful fate of wandering away from his vows? As I posed this question,I realized he spent an hour before the Blessed Sacrament daily.
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Posted by: -
Apr. 08, 2011 8:13 PM ET USA
I never gave this much thought, but I believe you are right on the money AgnesDay. "The world is too much with us" in such public ministries. Thank you for this insight.
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Apr. 08, 2011 6:35 PM ET USA
I voice again the modest proposals that priests and religious actively participate in public ministries like this for no longer than five years, and then retire to writing and parish or other ministry. How many priests and religious have been tainted in this way? How many more?
