2 priests accused of sex abuse dismissed

The Vatican has dismissed two former Boston archdiocese priests who were accused of sexually abusing children.

Anthony J. Laurano, 82, and W. James Nyhan, 61, were cut off Thursday from receiving any financial support from the archdiocese and may no longer function as priests except to offer absolution for dying persons, the archdiocese said in a prepared statement.

"For those who have been sexually abused by members of the clergy, I sincerely apologize for the suffering you and your families have endured," Cardinal Sean O'Malley said in the statement. "Sexual crimes perpetrated against children or vulnerable adults by priests are shameful and grievous."

Laurano was indicted last year on charges of molesting a mentally retarded boy who lived near him. At the time, Laurano already faced charges that he raped an 8-year-old boy 16 years ago while he was a pastor at St. Mary's Church in Plymouth. Laurano pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nyhan pleaded guilty last spring in Charleston, S.C., to charges of sexually assaulting two boys while he worked at a church there 25 years ago.

There was no answer Thursday at a telephone listing for Laurano. A telephone listing could not immediately be found for Nyhan.