An Oklahoma City priest who commissioned a crucifix some said shows genitalia on Jesus' abdominal area has been transferred to another parish in a move that the archdiocese said was unrelated to the controversy. Archdiocesan officials said Fr Philip Seeton's reassignment was routine and unrelated to the crucifix controversy at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, News OK reports.
Seeton had been at the church since June 2008. His transfer to a Catholic church in Lawton, where he had served previously, is effective June 15, said Oklahoma City Archdiocese chancellor Tish Eason.
Some parishioners left St Charles Borromeo earlier this year because they found a crucifix commissioned by Seeton obscene. The crucifix has since been removed.
The 10-foot tall crucifix is a San Damiano crucifix, a common Catholic icon.
It was designed by local iconography artist Janet Jaime, who later agreed to modify the crucifix because of the uproar it caused.
Parishioner Rita Cook said Seeton announced his transfer during a recent Mass by telling parishioners they would be "better served" by another priest.
SIC: CTHUSA