Father Adam Kotas is laicized by Pope Francis in a shocking move

• Father Adam Kotas is laicized.
• Pope Francis confirmed the news.
• Why did he make this drastic decision?

One of the most beloved priests in the Hispanic community received bad news from the Archdiocese of Las Vegas.

Adam Kotas is a Polish priest who learned to speak Spanish and went viral sharing videos on TikTok.

In a letter, the Archdiocese of  Las Vegas announced that Pope Francis authorized his laicization and he will no longer be a priest.

Before you continue reading, we invite you to listen to the new Tu Mundo Hoy podcast by clicking HERE.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

The impact of the news of Father Adam Kotas’ laicization has generated shock and sadness among his parishioners in Las Vegas.

The close relationship that Father Adam cultivated with the Hispanic community made him a loved and respected figure.

The March 1 announcement by the Archdiocese of Las Vegas has caused an uproar.

This radical step, which involves removing a priest from all ecclesiastical functions and attributes, raises inevitable questions about the circumstances behind this decision.

Father Adam Kotas is laicized

In a letter sent by the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, it was announced that Pope Francis had authorized Adam Kotas’ laicization.

«The Archdiocese of Las Vegas has received notification from the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California of the involuntary laicization of Mr. Adam Kotas,» it began.

The letter details that this was not a request made by Father Kotas.

«This process was handled through the Diocese of Santa Rosa, where Mr. Kotas was incardinated as a priest,» the letter stated.

Why was Father Kotas removed from the priesthood?

«This laicization was approved by His Holiness, Pope Francis and has no possibility of appeal,» added the Archdiocese of Las Vegas.

The news has sparked questions and speculation about what led Pope Francis to make this decision.

The lack of specific details in the Archdiocese’s letter only adds more uncertainty to the situation.

Although rumors arose on social media about why the church took such drastic action against Father Kotas.

What is laicization?

The laicization of a priest is an extraordinary and rare procedure that involves dispensation from sacred obligations and reintegration into lay life.

According to Archdiocese’s letter, Father Kotas will no longer be able to operate in the Diocese of California.

«Laicization means that all rights and privileges associated with the priesthood have been removed, and that the individual has returned to the lay state,» the letter details.

«[T]he laicized priest is prohibited from celebrating Mass or the other sacraments. Moreover, Mr. Kotas is prohibited from using the title «Father» (referring to a Catholic priest) or wearing clerical attire,» they stated.

Will the sacraments he already performed no longer be valid?

Furthermore, this highlights the complexity of the relationship between faith and decisions within the Church.

«Adam Kotas is no longer a priest in the Catholic Church,» the Archdiocese emphasized in their letter.

«All sacraments celebrated by Mr. Kotas in the “Polish National Church” are presumed to be either invalid or illicit by the Catholic Church,» they stated.

On social media, people speculated that the real reason for his laicization is «because he told the truth and they didn’t like it.