The St. Louis Archdiocese has issued a statement noting that Gary Wolken, a former priest of the archdiocese who is scheduled to be released from prison on Feb. 23, will live as a private citizen, subject to all sex-offender regulations upon his release. Wolken pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse of a minor which occurred in 1997. A 15-year sentence was imposed in 2003. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, archbishop emeritus of St. Louis, had initiated the process of permanently removing Wolken from the clerical state, and it became effective in 2007. The archdiocese's statement added that "we continue to pray for the victims and families of the grave evil of sexual abuse."