San Bernardino, Calif., Apr 7, 2011 / 23:15 pm
Founder of global Wordnet TV network Fr. Michael Manning is taking a leave of absence from his public ministry after news recently broke of a past affair that ended over two years ago.
The Diocese of San Bernardino confirmed on April 7 that Fr. Manning had engaged in an intimate relationship with his second cousin, Monterrey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski.
News of the affair came to light when correspondence between the two was sent to the local San Bernardino Sun.
“It's very hard when you care for someone, but I love my priesthood more,” Fr. Manning told the San Jose Mercury News. “I admit the fact of my sinfulness. I've done wrong. That's why I've stopped.”