“As the premier Catholic communications professional in the United States, Russ Shaw is a longtime critic of clericalism, excessive secrecy, ‘happy talk’ and spin control in Catholic culture. He’s also an articulate and engaging writer with an unparalleled record of service to the Church. Nothing to Hide is a provocative, important book that explores the boundary between appropriate confidentiality in the Church, and the kind of secrecy that cripples Christian community life. It’s a must-read.”
+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver
“Thou hast caused my companions to shun me; thou hast made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow.” Ps 88: 8 (cont. at end of post)
If you are a priest who has been railroaded by diocesan officials, take solace in today’s post. Chances are that your former confreres won’t touch you with a 10 foot pole in case trouble is catchy. I’ll address this phenomenon in depth in a future post.
“I am not eminently qualified to give a talk on addictions — on addictive behavior. I am not a psychologist. I am not a substance abuse counselor. I don’t have any degrees in those things. I’m not a sociologist, and I don’t deal with those problems on a day-to-day basis — even pastorally as a priest. So I am singularly unqualified to give this talk. That’s the official word. . . Now here’s the unofficial word. I’ve been there and done that. And from that basis, I’m a little qualified.”
The tone of the past few posts tended to be a wee bit depressing (Oh ya think!), so I will unleash Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR on you this time. He’s from Noo Yawk, he’s IN YOUR FACE, and he’s right.
I’ve been focusing on the fallout of the abuse crisis as it affects priests removed from ministry without due process. For perspective, let’s go back five years when the earthquake of clerical abuse stories destabilized the local Church in 2002.
At that time, Fr. Benedict Groeschel taped an emergency response called An Urgent Appeal in three parts. Father addressed:
Tagged in: abortion, abuse crisis, Benedict Groeschel, bishops, euthanasia, Hitler, homosexuality, media, pedophilia, reform, suffering, urgent appeal
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In the last post, I mentioned the Servant of God Catherine Doherty and her Madonna House Apostolate.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel when founding the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, along with Fr. Stan Fortuna, was deeply influenced by Catherine Doherty’s Poustinia. She’s not the only Catherine he mentions frequently. Catherine of Genoa and Catherine of Siena are other lay reformers who get plenty of air time on Fr. Groeschel’s broadcasts.
I have been reading accounts of priests adjusting to their life on administrative leave without due process. Those recently suspended may still be reeling from the implications of being accused of misconduct and tossed out onto the street.
In her writings, Alice von Hildebrand frequently discusses how, with the intercession of Mary, we can turn defeat into victory.
I often wondered how abuse survivors quietly went on their way to authentic healing after suffering the pain of unimaginable betrayal. These accounts are nowhere to be found in the mainstream media or on the pages of well-known victim advocacy sites. Here is a blog post from one such person.
In the winter of 1995, I was speaking with a very saintly priest about a story that made the front page of The Washington Post that morning. News broke out that four priests were arrested for abusing their young victims. One of them officiated at my friend’s wedding the year prior.
Back then before the media barrage of similar stories, I was capable of being stunned. This faithful priest then went on to tell me that the biggest scandal in the priesthood is its suicide rate. He didn’t elaborate.
