Arlington, Va., Aug 22, 2017 / 13:57 pm
An Arlington priest revealed Monday that he was a former member of the Ku Klux Klan before converting while in prison, and has asked for a temporary leave of absence from ministry.
The Diocese of Arlington released a statement saying that Fr. William Aitcheson, a parochial vicar at St. Leo Catholic Church in Fairfax, Va., wrote an article in the diocesan newspaper "with the intention of telling his story of transformation" from being a Klan member to abandoning his racist beliefs and becoming a Catholic priest.
"He left that life behind him 40 years ago and since journeyed in faith to eventually become a Catholic priest," the diocese said.
"He voluntarily asked to temporarily step away from public ministry, for the well-being of the Church and parish community, and the request was approved."