Miami priest seeks forgiveness from God and his parishioners

Miami-Dade, Florida – After he learned in late December that he fathered a child, a Miami priest is seeking forgiveness from God and his parishioners, a spokeswoman from the Archdiocese of Miami confirmed on Tuesday.

The child was the result of a relationship Monsignor Chanel Jeanty, pastor of Saint James Catholic Church, had with a woman that ended over a year ago, according to the archdiocese.

Jeanty did not learn about the child from the mother herself, but from a third party, they said.

According to the archdiocese, he has since reached out to the mother and will contribute to the support of his child.

“Monsignor Jeanty has already sought God’s forgiveness, and he is asking for the forgiveness of his parishioners, who will be disappointed when they learn of his lapse,” a statement from the archdiocese read. “Monsignor Jeanty must face his parishioners and seek to regain their trust, as he continues to serve, and at the same time attends to his responsibilities to the child.”