NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      DALLAS (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has issued a decree to officially laicize Rudolph Kos, a former priest convicted of sexually abusing 11 boys, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper reported on Tuesday.

      Kos, 53, is serving a life sentence for molesting the altar boys while a priest in the Diocese of Dallas. Ten of the victims and the parents of the 11th who committed suicide were awarded a record $119.6 million civil judgment against the diocese. The plaintiffs have reportedly settled for about $30 million.

      Kos was convicted in a later criminal trial of sexual assault and indecency for molesting four boys more than 1,350 times between 1987 and 1992. The Vatican decree did not nullify Kos' ordination, but the laicization bars him from ministry and performing the sacraments as a priest.