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Catholic Priest Suspended After Appearing Drunk At Baptisms

(Sacramento, CBS 13) - A 64-year-old priest has been suspended by the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento after he showed up drunk to a baptism ceremony on Saturday.

Rev. Julian Medina showed up an hour late to the baptisms at All Hallows Catholic Church at 5501 14th Ave. and reportedly was stumbling, slurring his words and even fell over at one point.

A staff member at the church called for a church deacon to come in and perform the baptisms of 15 children in front of about 150 people.

Medina, who has been with the diocese since the 1970s, has been suspended indefinitely.

"We certainly have a big apology to the people who were inconvenienced that day," said diocese spokesman Kevin Eckery. "And if indeed he has a problem, we'll get him the help he needs.

"All in all it was probably a difficult morning for a lot of people. It was a special day and that's not how they wanted to spend part of their special day."

A neighbor of the church was surprised by the news.

"Oh wow, I've known that church to be pretty good. If somebody were to go to church slurring and drunk that's not a good example," Maria Sanchez said.

And another neighbor said, "I'm shocked. I've lived here 15 years and never noticed nything that would be bad at that church.

The diocese will now investigate the incident further. If they learn the priest has an alcohol problem, they pledge to help him with treatment.

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