Fr. Groeschel Steps Down from EWTN's TV Show; Due to Saying That Minors Often Seduce Priests

Franciscan friar Father Benedict Groeschel has stepped down as host of EWTN's Sunday Night Prime television show, following his apology for making comments about the sexual abuse of minors, the Catholic News Agency website reports today (September 5, 2012).

Fr. Groeschel decided to step down from the program after consulting with EWTN and with his religious community, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, according to Michael Warsaw, president and CEO of EWTN Catholic Network.

In a National Catholic Register interview -- which was published on August 27 -- Fr. Groeschel suggested that a minor is "the seducer" in "a lot" of sexual abuse cases. He said he was inclined to think that abusers on their first offense should not go to jail "because their intention was not committing a crime."

Fr. Groeschel apologized for the remarks last week, saying he did not intend to "blame the victim." He affirmed that a priest -- or anyone else who abuses a minor -- is "always wrong" and "always responsible."