American priest who sued own diocese for alleged abuse quits priesthood  | News | Advocate.com

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April 13, 2006
American priest who sued own diocese for alleged abuse quits priesthood

A Roman Catholic priest who sued his own diocese last year for alleged abuse by another diocesan priest more than 25 years ago has left the priesthood. John Nesbella, 43, announced his decision Tuesday in Altoona, Pa., citing criticism he received from fellow clergy after he spoke out against gay priests.

Nesbella sued the Altoona-Johnstown diocese in February 2005, alleging he was sexually molested when he was 16 years old by the Reverend Martin Brady, his high school teacher. Brady died in 2003.

"This is the end of a sad tale of how wicked so-called Catholic priests and bishops drove me and a few other priests out because we dared to speak up about the corrupt brotherhood of homosexuals in the priesthood," Nesbella told a local newspaper for a story in Wednesday's editions.

Rob Egan, spokesman for the diocese, said only, "It's a personal decision."

Bishop Joseph Adamec placed Nesbella on a leave of absence after Nesbella sued the diocese, saying at the time that it would be difficult to conduct a thorough investigation because of Brady's death. He also said it would be difficult for Nesbella to be an effective minister while he sued the diocese. The lawsuit is still pending.

Nesbella said he may try to join an Eastern rite church, which he says tends to be more conservative than the Roman Catholic Church. (AP)

© 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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