Distressed by false rumors that he has AIDS and has been financing a "getaway cabin" in Stinson Beach with Sacred Heart Catholic Church money, Father Joe Bravo was briefly admitted to a psychiatric hospital in San Francisco last week.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco this week declared it is "100 percent behind Joe" and that "all rumors appear to have been quite false."

Tom Burke, a spokesman for the Archdiocese, said the church's conclusion was based on "many conversations with people in the area."

Archbishop William Levada has appointed Monsignor Richard Knapp, previously a pastor in San Rafael, as temporary replacement for Bravo, who is officially on medical leave.

Although Father Bravo has now left the hospital, he could not be reached for a comment by press time.

News of rumors haunting him were revealed from the pulpit by Father Bravo himself in English- and Spanish-language masses. On the advice of the Archdiocese, he told parishioners, he planned to hire a lawyer and investigator to determine the source of the false rumors.

Bravo said he was hurt by the existence of "untruthful" charges, which he intended to "meet head-on."

He acknowledged some in his Olema congregation had been concerned about his keeping a "getaway cabin" in Stinson Beach, but the priest insisted he paid for the home out of his own pocket.

Bravo also said some families have apparently been keeping children from attending catechism because of fears the youngsters might catch AIDS from him.

In response, he added with indignation, he submitted to an HIV test at the behest of the Archdiocese. (HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS). The tests showed no sign of HIV, said Father Bravo, noting that he was sending the results to Archdiocese.

Even before his recent hospitalization, Father Bravo had been in poor health and had been treated for stomach problems and hemorrhoids.

Although Burke would not say whether Bravo's latest hospitalization was precipitated by recent events, the Archdiocese's spokesman did say, Father Bravo "had wanted a medical leave for some time. He's had some stress.

"But I couldn't comment on the father's treatment or his path to wellness, which we hope he'll find very soon."

The Archdiocese asserted that it has no plans to pursue legal action against the rumor-mongers, should they be found. "We're a church of forgiveness," Burke said.

There has been no indication as to the origin of the rumors, although Bravo from the pulpit said anonymous complaints had been sent to the Archdiocese.

Many parishioners told The Light Bravo's announcement from the pulpit was the first time they heard about the allegations. "Everyone was obviously puzzled," said one. "We were speechless," remarked another.

Confusion surrounding the implications of Father Bravo's statements has been intensified by his subsequent absence, and some parishioners say they feel "abandoned."

Said one, "I don't know if anybody knows what's going on. People are having trouble getting calls [to the church] returned."

West Marin's Latino Catholics have been hardest hit by Bravo's dramatic announcement and disappearance.

"That speech was [during] the first mass since his operation, and then we didn't see him anymore," said one Latina.

Another complained, "Nobody knows what's happening. We have to phone each other to find out if there's going to be mass."

In recent weeks, church leaders have stepped in to perform various rituals, which itself has caused heated theological bickering.

"A woman conducted mass, gave communion, and baptized children," complained one man. "Most of us just left. How is a woman to conduct mass?"

However, Archdiocese spokesman Burke told the Light the dispute probably results from confusion about the subtleties of church doctrine.

"A woman may conduct a prayer service and give communion if the host has already been blessed by a priest. It is not a mass," explained Burke. He added that, if necessary, any Catholic can perform a baptism, though it is customary to use an ordained priest.

A number of Latinos told The Light they are profoundly upset by the controversy. Some said they fear a "repeat of seven years ago," when the Latino parishioners found themselves caught in a dispute between two rival priests at Sacred Heart.

One, who was bilingual and conducted mass in Spanish, was close to Latino parishioners. The another, who spoke no Spanish, was closer to English-speaking parishioners.

Latino parishioners understood Father Bravo's recent comments from the pulpit as indicating that the false rumors against him had started among Latinos.

"People are sad that any part of the church is doing this to their community," said a Latino man. "It's the only place they have for themselves, and they hate for their children to witness anything like this."

However, support for Father Bravo remains strong among Latino parishioners although several acknowledge divisions within the congregation.

During his last masses, Father Bravo asked that letters of support be sent to the Archbishop, and one such letter garnered 25 signatures.

Latino authors of the letter said that many people who did not sign nonetheless support the priest but are "afraid of the situation." The letter states that Father Bravo has been an excellent leader and that if he departs, the community would be "deeply affected."

Father Bravo arrived in the Sacred Heart Parish in 1995. He gained an immediate following for his leadership during the Inverness Ridge fire.

A native of Nicaragua, Father Bravo worked as a high school counselor for 25 years after graduating from the seminary. Before becoming pastor in Olema, he was associate pastor in Mill Valley's Mount Carmel Church for 3.5 years.

Light correspondent Victor Reyes contributed to this report.