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Inland Catholic priest admits to secret love affair with cousin – a Monterey County school official
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A Roman Catholic priest from the Inland Empire is relinquishing his popular TV ministry after acknowledging a secret love affair with his cousin – a public school official from Northern California.
Father Michael Manning offers inspirational lectures and interviews prominent Catholics on a weekly program called the “Word in the World.” Its television home is the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Manning also founded a nonprofit TV ministry in San Bernardino 30 years ago.
The host is taking a leave of absence after he admitted to a past sexual affair with Nancy Kotowski, the superintendent of schools in Monterey County. Kotowski and Manning are cousins.
The 70-year-old priest acknowledged the affair in an interview with a San Bernardino newspaper. He said he ended the relationship a couple of years ago. In correspondence between the couple, Manning told Kotowski that he battled feelings of guilt and hypocrisy.
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Manning says he’s sought and received forgiveness from God. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino announced Manning’s leave of absence. Officials say they support Manning; they haven’t indicated whether they’ll take disciplinary action against the veteran priest.
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