ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 14, 2005) -  A heresy trial was held Tuesday for a Roman Catholic priest who joined a denomination that doesn't accept papal infallibility, has ordained women clergy and permits homosexuals to take Communion.

The Rev. Ned Reidy did not attend the one-day closed trial, which was conducted by three priests at the headquarters of the Diocese of San Bernardino.

He is accused of heresy defined as "the rejection of fundamental matters of Catholic faith at the highest levels," such as papal authority, according to the Rev. Howard Lincoln, spokesman for the diocese.

Reidy, 69, also is charged with schism for breaking communion with the Roman Catholic church. If convicted, he could appeal to the Vatican, although Reidy said he would have no interest in doing so.

The court's decision will be announced to Reidy at an unspecified future date but it does not have to be made public, Lincoln said.