The bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Tucson says a former priest who admitted molesting three boys will never return to the pulpit. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas issued a statement saying that the Rev. Gary Underwood's guilty plea on Tuesday to six counts of sexual abuse of a minor has ended his tenure as a priest.
Kicanis says he is deeply saddened by Underwood's actions and says he's praying that his victims find healing.
The 53-year-old former priest was assigned to St. Odilia Catholic Church in Tucson from 1983 through 1986.
Underwood admitted in court that he engaged in sex acts with three teenage boys in 1983 and 1984.
Underwood will be sentenced in August.
He faces a mandatory prison sentence of 9 months to two years on 1 of the counts and could face more prison time for the other five.
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