diocese

She said her client is also to receive a letter of apology from Archbishop Eamon Martin on behalf of the diocese.

Padilla suggested volunteering as lectors in Masses across the Orange diocese.

Fr Murray has served the diocese for 50 years and was scheduled to retire next weekend.

Fr McGee described Fr Murray as "very well known" and "very well respected priest" of the diocese who had been appointed a canon by the bishop in recognition for his work as a senior adviser.

San Bernardino Roman Catholic Bishop Alberto Rojas issued a dispensation Tuesday evening, offering members of his diocese’s roughly one million parishioners in danger of being deported the option to stay home Sundays.