Oblate Priest Found Guilty in Protest at Colorado Nuclear Missile Silo

An oblate priest, who has long protested against America's nuclear weapons arsenal, was found guilty December 21, 2009, of criminal mischief and trespassing on government property at the site of a nuclear missile silo in northern Colorado, the Catholic News Service (CNS) blog reports today.

Father Carl Kabat, 76, was sentenced by Weld County Court Judge Dana Nichols to time served -- 137 days -- after his August 6 arrest at the silo near New Raymer, Colorado.

Testifying during the two-day trial, Father Kabat admitted he had cut a fence and entered the property. He argued that his action was mandated by God's law in order to oppose a greater evil.

The conviction was the 18th for Father Kabat in his prayerful quest to rid the world of nuclear weapons. He has served more than 17 years behind bars since his first protest in 1976.