Bismarck Tribune

By KAREN HERZOGBy KAREN HERZOG

The bishop of the Bismarck Catholic Diocese said Thursday that the resignation of a Mandan priest from his parish came after the priest pursued fund raising through channels that turned out to be Internet scams.

No parish funds were lost at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan, and the Rev. Cyprian Meier remains a priest in good standing in the diocese while he undergoes treatment for depression out of state, said Bishop Paul Zipfel. Monies lost were from individual parishioners who gave money to Meier to fund these money-making attempts, the bishop said. The diocese isn't accusing Meier of any wrongdoing.

Zipfel said that he instructed Meier to submit his resignation after Meier continued those activities after being instructed to stop.

Zipfel's understanding is that Meier was not looking for personal gain, but gain for the parish, he said. The bishop has addressed this issue with the members of Spirit of Life, he said, and the Rev. John Matthai of Hettinger is now serving the parish.

In a letter to his parish, Meier expressed gratitude for 22 years of service there, said he had willingly resigned his post and said he took full responsibility for "poor choices in various matters," and deeply regretted that good people were hurt.

Meier's future work in the diocese has yet to be determined, but he will not be reassigned to Spirit of Life when he returns, Zipfel said.