From jail

From his jail cell in Clayton, a Catholic priest serving three years for sex abuse is waging a canon law war to remain a cleric – and is pulling his accuser into the fray.

The Rev. Bryan Kuchar has asked supporters and parishioners at Assumption Catholic Church in south St. Louis County to provide character references in his efforts to block the church’s attempt to remove him as a clergyman.

“If you are aware of my accuser and his personal and family history, please leave a daytime or evening telephone number where Rev. Bertrand can contact you for a confidential testimonial statement,” Kuchar said in a letter sent this month.

The Rev. Vincent Bertrand is a priest in Springfield, Mo., and an expert in canon law. He is serving as the equivalent of a defense lawyer for Kuchar’s bid to remain a priest.