Catholic order withdraws request for center for troubled clergy

PACIFIC, Mo. (AP) -- A religious order has dropped a zoning request that would have allowed development of a center for troubled priests near St. Louis.

The Servants of the Paraclete, an order that looks after other religious clergy, wanted to develop a facility for priests who suffer from problems including alcoholism, depression and pedophilia on 226 acres near Pacific. Area residents had expressed concern.

The zoning request was scheduled to be heard Thursday by the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission. County planner Roger Hurst said officials from the Paracletes withdrew the request Wednesday after meeting with neighboring residents to hear their concerns.

Initial plans called for the facility to combine the programs of the order's Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, which treats some priests unlikely to return to active parish work, and the St. Michael's Community in Sunset Hills, which mainly helps those who could possibly resume their duties.

A statement from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests expressed gratitude for the decision to withdraw the request.