Catholic Church Agrees To Increase Child Support For Priest's Son

By Christina Rentz

Published on August 02, 2005

Arturo Uribe engaged in a seven month affair with Stephanie Collopy in 1993 while serving as a pastoral assistant in Portland, Oregon. The Church knew of Uribe's infant son and some of his superiors were skeptical of his ability to be both a father and a priest. However, he was accepted into the order of the Redemptionists on a tentative basis. In 1995, he achieved full priesthood.

Stephanie haggled with Church superiors in court for many years, fighting unsuccessfully to obtain more financial support for her son. She says that she is an unemployed single mother who suffers from chronic asthma and other health problems. Furthermore, in 2003, Stephanie was laid off from her job as a receptionist after missing nearly 100 hours of work to care for her sick son.

Despite these factors, a family court judge ruled that, because Uribe had taken a vow of poverty, he could not be ordered to pay more child support. Uribe receives $100 a month plus room and board.

The Church, which has previously refused all requests for more support, recently had a change of heart. This is due in large part to new leadership of the Redemptionists order. Father Thomas Picton replaced Father Richard Thibodeau as head of the order. Unlike his predecessor, Father Picton believes following the letter of the law would not be appropriate in this unusual situation.

Stephanie Collopy is relieved the Church will finally provide adequate financial support for her son.

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