Catholic Priest Sentenced to Prison for Having Sex With Female Inmates

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Roman Catholic priest who had sex with two inmates while working as a chaplain at a women's prison was sentenced Monday to two years in federal prison.

Vincent Inametti, 48, was taken into custody after he was sentenced, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported in its online edition Monday.

Inametti, who is originally from Nigeria, had worked at Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth for seven years until last fall, according to documents filed in the case. He pleaded guilty in November to two counts of sexual abuse of a ward.

Although he faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, Inametti's lack of a criminal history suggested that he might get a sentence between 10 and 16 months.

But U.S. District Judge Terry Means said Inametti had violated trust as an employee of the federal prison and as a priest.

"For this he will face a higher authority than this one," Means said.

Both women were serving federal sentences for drug distribution conspiracy convictions. One met Inametti in 2004 after attending church services and becoming involved in the choir and Bible study classes, authorities said. The other met the priest a few months later after being assigned as a clerk for the prison's religious services department.

Inametti is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was ordained in his native country, Nigeria, according to documents filed in the case.

Well, folks, what can I say?

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

I am painfully reminded that we never fully realize what burdens people carry as they pass us by. A casual greeting with polite smiles may easily conceal a raging storm of doubt, fear, anguish and turmoil. Gal 6:2 is a command to all the saints of God: yes, if you are saved, you are called to bear the burdens of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is certainly true that we cannot pray for every single saint of God by name, nor could we ever pretend to pray for the vast multitudes of the lost that wander the face of the earth, but we are, nevertheless, called to bear each others burdens. I am equally convinced that we are so caught up in our own petty cycles that we have lost touch with the concern we should have for our fellow saints. We are not sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit of God who is pleading with us to simply pray. I am committed, now more than ever, to praying for the saints of God. When I see your face I remember your name, I will try to pray for you. Will you do the same for those around you?

I want to challenge you to go one step further: Every day, pick someone. Make that person your 'person of the day' and spend extra time during the day lifting their name in prayer. It will take some effort - but anything worth doing requires effort. Our churches, our pastors, evangelists and missionaries all need our prayer, but so do our children, our parents and our families.

1 Th 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. (18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Will you take time out of your busy day to lift someone in prayer?

The very act of prayer requires a great deal of effort, and I know the Lord will work through our prayers, but if you will go a small step further, I believe the reward will be much greater. When you pray for someone in particular, will you take a moment to write them a note of encouragement?

I don't know who wrote the song People Need the Lord, but the lyrics of the first verse seem so fitting:
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eye.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?

On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

Through our own power, we cannot bear our own power, but with the power of God, we can bear the burdens of many.

Will you pray?