Beine Formally Dismissed From Clerical State

Archdiocese of St. Louis
Office of Communications

May 19, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEINE FORMALLY DISMISSED FROM CLERICAL STATE

ST. LOUIS — Archbishop Raymond L. Burke announces that James Beine is dismissed from the clerical state. For the welfare of all children and for the welfare of the Church, the archbishop, according to Church-prescribed procedures, initiated laicization proceedings in October 2003 against
James Beine. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, through the faculty granted it by Pope John Paul II, dismissed Beine from the clerical state, effectively returning him to the status of a lay person.

James Beine has credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against him dating back 30 years. Then Archbishop of St. Louis, Cardinal John J. Carberry, revoked his priestly faculties in 1977. James Beine is in prison on charges unrelated to his position as a priest.

Archbishop Burke last week alerted parishes where James Beine served of Beine’s possible release from prison and appealed to all of those who may have been harmed by him or any other member of the clergy to come forward. Archbishop Burke also expresses his deepest regrets to all who have been harmed by James Beine and to anyone who has been abused by a member of the clergy. The archbishop deplores the grave evil of sexual abuse of a minor and reiterates his and the archdiocese’s concern for the welfare and protection of all children and young people. The archbishop also encourages anyone who has been harmed by a member of the clergy to contact the Archdiocese of
St. Louis, at (314) 633-2222, or the civil authorities.

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