The Vatican has defrocked a former St. Louis priest and school counselor. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports officials with the St. Louis Archdiocese say the action was taken because of James Beine’s 30 year history of sexual abuse. Beine had most recently been in prison serving a 12-year term for exposing himself to three students in a bathroom in the elementary school where he worked. But the Missouri Supreme Court overturned his conviction, ruling the statute that convicted him was unconstitutional. The court ordered him freed on bond. Beine has voluntarily stayed in prison for his own protection while an appeal is being considered.
