You know, some people like to play fast and loose with words.  Like "Heretic."

Well, now you can call Ned Reidy one, for real!

In a rare heresy trial, the local diocese has convicted and excommunicated a priest who joined a denomination that doubts papal infallibility and doesn’t follow church teachings on homosexuality, abortion and ordination of women clergy.

The Rev. Ned Reidy received a 30-page letter last week notifying him that a three-priest tribunal of the Diocese of San Bernardino had found him guilty of heresy and schism and that his authority to conduct priestly functions was revoked. The one-day trial was held on Dec. 13.

Reidy said he would not appeal the decision because he has not considered himself a member of the Roman Catholic church since 1999, when he resigned to join the Orange-based Ecumenical Catholic Communion.

He called the proceedings "medieval" and said they were a distraction from his current ministry.