A Sacramento
priest has been suspended from active ministry after parents complained
that he appeared drunk Saturday during a church baptism.
The Rev. Julian Medina, part-time parochial vicar at All Hallows Church in Sacramento, has been removed from ministry indefinitely, church officials said.
Medina,
64, arrived an hour late for the afternoon ceremony where he was to
preside over the baptism of 15 children.
The priest slurred his words,
had difficulty walking and later fell down, witnesses said.
"We apologize to the families who had to experience this incident," said the Rev. Santiago Raudes, canon lawyer for the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.
A church deacon was called to finish the baptism.
About
150 people were at the church for the sacrament, Raudes said.
After
Medina fell, church members carried the priest to the rectory.
Medina has served in the Sacramento diocese since 1978.
Diocesan officials are investigating the incident.
"If he does have drinking problem, then he will get the help and treatment he needs," Raudes said.