Fr. Gordon MacRae Writes to Priest in Crisis Readers on Pentecost
Fr. Gordon MacRae Writes to Priest in Crisis Readers on Pentecost
Father was kind enough to send me this note written for you. Some of us wanted a closer look into his troubling situation that threatens many priests in this current climate of hysteria.
Thank you Charlene for coordinating Father’s correspondence!
FROM FR. GORDON J. MACRAE
“Kill the priest!” “Kill the priest!” “Kill the priest!” This rousing foot-stomping chant greeted me as I was led down the tier of a prison cell block nearly 15 years ago. It was maddening.
Today the eve of Pentecost 2009, I have been in prison for 5,333 days and nights for a crime that never took place. My fellow prisoners do not organize chants for my demise any longer. I have a pretty good rapport with them, though even after 15 years it’s clear that I don’t quite fit in.
I live daily with the irony that I would not today be in prison if I did not maintain my innocence. Under a deal offered by the state I would have left prison over 13 years ago had I been guilty and willing to say so.
Today I am prisoner number 67546 in the Hancock Unit of the New Hampshire State Prison. I live in a prison block reserved primarily for men serving long, long sentences, most of them for murder. I taught college courses to prisoners for several years and now work in the prison library.
The case against me was a fraud brought for the guarantee of hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlement money. I have come to know that there is far more fraud in the claims against American Catholic priests than most people know or want to believe.
Some would have us believe that no one – certainly no young man – would falsely accuse a priest just for money. My fellow prisoners laugh at such naïve beliefs. Some of them have reminded me that they have taken lives for far less money than what was gained by those who took my reputation and freedom 15 yrs. ago.
A few years ago a contingency lawyer representing dozens of claimants seeking five million dollars in new settlements from my diocese was quoted in a local newspaper: “Church officials didn’t even ask for details for the claims, such as location and date and the abuse alleged. I’ve never seen anything like it.” That same lawyer is now in his fifth round of mediated settlements.
The names of the accused priests have been released to the public despite the contingency lawyer’s statement that the church sought no corroboration for the claims whatsoever before handing over millions of dollars. The names of the accusers, many of them now men in their 30s, 40s and 50s, remain shielded from public view.
Fifteen years in prison for a crime that never took place is no small affair. In 2005 the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, in the first of a series of letters between us, salvaged the spiritual life of my priesthood. He placed my unjust imprisonment in a context that in my anger and hurt I had not previously considered. Cardinal Dulles wrote:
God does not intend that your life be futile. Much of the finest Christian literature comes from believers who were Unjustly imprisoned. Do you believe, Fr. MacRae? Someday your story and that of your fellow sufferers will come to light and be instrumental in a reform.
I am sure that in the plan of Divine Providence your ministry of suffering is part of your priestly vocation, filling up for the Church what is wanting in the suffering of Christ. Your writing which is clear, eloquent and spiritually sound will one day be monument to your trials.
I hope and pray that this is so. Cardinal Dulles gave meaning and purpose to something that is otherwise meaningless, as anyone who has ever served an unjust imprisonment will attest. On his suggestion, I now offer each day in prison as a share in the suffering of Christ for the spiritual support of another.
I will always be grateful to Cardinal Dulles. I am also grateful to Suzanne and “Priests in Crisis.” It takes a singular courage to speak against any unjust tide.
Please do not be ready to always believe the worst of any priest who is accused in the current climate.
Be sure to check out Father’s response to your kind comments here: Rev Gordon MacRae Thanks Priests in Crisis Readers on His Ordination Anniversary
Click here for a closer scrutiny of Father MacRae’s case
It would make Father’s day to receive a note of encouragement from you in the comment box below. Comments are moderated, but I get to them promptly. Thanks!
Please share this post.
I am a catholic priest, and 20 years now in the ministry. I have had a share of disappointments and discouragements mostly from my parishioners whom I serve and love. I have been persecuted. reading your story gives me inspiration and strength. After all I am not alone. Everything is offered for the greater glory of God.
Dear Fr. MacRae:
I struggle sometimes to find more words to comfort you. I feel I only say the same thing over and over. Please forgive my feeble mind.
You remain in my thoughts and prayers, and intercessions at Mass. So many people do not have a clue as to what is happening to you, a priest, imprisoned unjustly. I try to get the message out and I hope the right people will be awakened and mobilized so that you will someday be freed.
I love what Cardinal Dulles wrote to you. What a wise and gentle man he was. Surely what he said is true.
I constantly picture Christ when I imagine a priest, especially one in prison and suffering great injustice. So many have suffered Father. You are not alone, as you know.
When I think of the scandal which was brought out years ago, I remember being even more determined to be strong in my faith. I was shocked I guess, although not totally surprised by it all. Humanity is fallen. Period.
I have known mostly good, faithful, holy, unselfish, and giving priests. I shudder to think where I would be if it were not for priests who have given me Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I have known Christ’s mercy and love, and His greatest gift of sacrifice in the Eucharist through my priests. Priests have ministered to me in my suffering and my needs. I can only thank God for priests, and that includes you Father MacRae.
May He strengthen you and support you with each breath He gives you, so that you may fulfill His holy and perfect will.
Keep looking up. Think about heaven. The faithful are with you Father. But most importantly, God is with you.
Grace and peace be with you, and may Our Mother assist you.
Mary
Dearest Father,
As a young law student in Australia this sort of injustice takes my breath away and leaves me wondering whether I’m getting into the right profession.
However, if this is type of corruption is part of the system, then it can only continue if good people do nothing.
If there is anything that I can do – please do not hesitate to let me know.
For now, I will continue to pray for your release, your health and those who betrayed you.
I commend you to the angels, whom I know are with you always.
We are all called to be another Christ in this world, and none more so when we face our trials and help to carry the Cross.
May all of our prayers help you to carry your Cross and give you comfort.
With many prayers and best wishes,
Alice
It’s amazing that such injustice is left unchallenged. I am fighting for a man, also serving a long prison sentence for alleged abuse. God in the end will bring justice. Then the tables will be turned, those who told lies will be punished, those who stayed true to their conviction will be united with Jesus forever.
Thank God, the last chapter has already been written. Good wins over evil.
Don’t give up Sir, fighting for your freedom. Your imprisonment is an abomination in God’s sight. HE suffers with you every day. HE will bring freedom to you, soon.
With God’s blessing from Australia
Father,
While I have no fancy words to express sympathy for your blight, I commend your spirit and witness to Christ through your suffering.
Take heart in the good Cardinal’s words and follow them through to the best of your ability, all that is done in the dark will be brought tot he light, when the injustice of your imprisonment is revealed and the truth of your suffering, then those who were quick to denounce you will be shamed for what they’ve done. God Bless and Keep you always father.
Stay strong in the Faith.
You have my prayers, Father.
Praying for you father. Keep strong!
Father still hasn’t received your comments by mail, but has heard them over the phone. Check out today’s post for his note to you on the occasion of his 27th Anniversary of his Ordination:
http://www.priestsincrisis.com/blog/abuse-scandal/rev-gordon-macrae-thanks-priests-in-crisis-readers-on-his-ordination-anniversary/
My husband and I are Catholic and serve with Kairos prison ministry which serves MCIH located in Hagerstown, Maryland. Be assured I am adding you to my prayer list to pray for you and all priests unjustly imprisoned. Our involvement with Kairos has blessed us with being able to see the Spirit work in prisoners lives who have not yet known the Lord. I know that the burden you are bearing in prison will bear much fruit with your fellow prisoners. I will pray for you every day, Fr. Gordon.
God bless you!
Libby and Tony DeMattia
Sent to me by email:
I am absolutely thrilled that you are able to do what you are doing for Fr. Gordon! I worked with Fr. Gordon at Jemez Springs NM when he was there which was about 16 or so years ago. He is a fine & wonderful martyr. Many of us have tried for years to help but feel that we have gotten nowhere and suddenly here you are. Charlene appeared out of the blue as well.
Fr. Gordon & I have corresponded all these years & I keep begging God to free him even though I know God is using him where he is but enough is enough.
The former Papal Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Ambrose DePaoli who was a friend of mine when he was ordained a priest, tried in vain to help Fr. Gordon but, as I’m sure you know, each bishop rules his own territory & Ambrose could accomplish nothing. You are a loud voice & it is thrilling to hear you. I am now an old lady and I do want to see Fr. Gordon free before I leave.
I worked with many priests when I was at Jemez and many are in prison, justly and unjustly. While many were guilty, many were innocent but no one seemed to care.
Thank you thank you. Please keep up the good work!!
Jacquie Miles
Dear Fr. MacRae,
As a priest, and having endured such great suffering for so long, you know firsthand a particular form of sacrifice in union with Christ Himself.
Clearly, you were specially chosen for this most difficult journey, which, ultimately, in innumerable ways, will bring Christ great glory.
St. Gerard Majella, the patron of the falsely accused, is a powerful intercessor, and I do pray that his prayers, in union with our own, will result in your freedom very, very soon. May God Himself touch the heart of your accuser, compelling him to perfect contrition (and accompanied admission of false testimony) for this assault on His most favored son, resulting in your release from prison and the commencement of the next phase of your extraordinary priesthood.
In the course of my own journey, I’ve truly come to know that my life is not my own. I’m not living the script I would have written for my life, but I know He has a much better plan.
I will keep you in my daily prayers.
All for You, Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Jesus, I trust in YOU.
Dear Suzanne and all of you who are praying for Fr. Gordon MacRae,
Yesterday I read all of your messages to Fr. Gordon over the telephone. We both felt energized by your comments and prayers for him. Last night when I went to bed I felt positively giddy when I thought of what you have done. You’re brought light into a dark place in Fr. Gordon’s soul, and you’ve lifted my heart. Fr. Gordon was terribly wronged, not only by his accusers, but by his diocese. In fact, his bishop has told two people (and they have sworn affidavits) that he knows Fr. Gordon is innocent, yet he will not lift a finger to help him. Rather, the diocese declared that Fr. Gordon was guilty even before his case went to trial. Some help, eh? And yet, despite all, Fr. Gordon lives his priesthood. He is reaching out to others in prison and demonstrating that he is still a priest, still loves his Church and loves God. He is still saving souls, and turning hearts, even in prison. He is respected by most inmates and some guards. One might ask what manner of priest is he. I will answer that in an article I’m writing.
Thank you for all that you have done and will do. You all are a tremendous blessing to Fr. Gordon. You are in his prayers, and I know he is in your prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a difference you have made in the life of Fr. Gordon . I love you for what you have done for Father.
May God bless and keep you close always.
Charlene
Dear Fr. MacRae,
I was alerted to your story from a dear lady, and so I came and read. I am truly saddened that you are there, fifteen years in, on a trumped up charge. You have heard the shouts of the people as you went through this, shouts like Jesus heard on his own journey. I will remember you in prayer, as I try to pray for all priests, for without them, I would be nowhere.
I will hope and pray for God’s will to be done, if there is a way for you to be released, or if you must stay, so as to be a light to so many in darkness.
God bless you Father.
Father’s initial response to your social media postings
:
Dear Suzanne,
I do not know what to say. I call Charlene once a day or sometimes every other day. We have but one working telephone here for 50 inmates so it is hard to get.
She has been reading all of your messages to me as well as the dozens of blog posts. I am speechless! And Charlene is in awe of what you have done. I am very grateful to you.
In John’s Gospel, the first person who became aware that Jesus had left the tomb was Mary Magdalene who then was entrusted to be the first apostle of witness to the Resurrection and report this monumental news to St. Peter and the others.
Your ministry online to me and other priests places you in the role of this great woman saint spreading the news, and it has a terrific domino effect. This is exactly what needs to happen and we have been praying for this for a long time.
I am deeply grateful to you. Charlene, who has also been a heroic witness, has printed all of the blog posts and comments, and will put them in the mail to me. I will respond in a message to all of the people who have posted on Priests in Crisis.
It will take several days for all of this to get to me. Be patient with my handlers, attorneys, canonists, etc. I have asked them to give serious thought to your PayPal recommendation. Sometimes they are glacially slow. Hopefully we will have some news this week.
May the Lord be with you on this Pentecost and always.
With blessings.
Fr. G
Dear Father,
Just another note: this morning after Mass I told some very dear Sisters about your situation and asked them to pray for you, which they assure me they will. They also have an especial devotion to the priesthood and will carry your name before Our Lord in individual and communal prayer!
I also remembered you in prayer during Mass today and a Holy Hour this afternoon, between 3 and 4 pm. God bless.
God is very near to prisoners, even if He often veils His face. I will pray for you.
Dear Reverend Father MacRae,
It is with great sadness that I have read of your plight today. Be assured that I will offer a rosary for your intentions. Strangely, your experience only adds to my determination to be willing to answer God’s call to priesthood.
In Christ,
Monte
Dear Father,
Your story has touched me deeply. Several weeks ago I began offering a holy hour in my parish’s Perpetual Adoration chapel specifically for priests. Please know that I will remember you each Thursday evening during that hour with our Blessed Lord.
Father, Thank you for your priesthood and the suffering you have had to endure.
In Christ’s Peace,
Karin
Know that for the next 18 days, a group of us are praying a novena for priests followed by a novena for the Sacred Heart of Jesus…you will be remembered during these novenas and daily after that. I have passed on your intentions to other groups for prayer. You are loved.
Dear Father, My heart is broken to hear of your suffering. You may be happy to know that I am studying now to become a counselor and I also am a faithful Catholic who Loves Jesus and His Church very much. I would be happy to help out in any way I can to ease the burdens of my Brothers of the Cloth.
I will remember you in this Pentecost mass tomorrow and as often as i can. Please be encouraged, I am sure you are an amazing witness among the prisoners that you contact and even the guards. I am reminded continually that when Jesus suffered “he opened not His Mouth”, to complain, This is a lesson i can learn from Jesus and you!
Your story is inspiring! I will share it will my teenager and twenty one year old to encourage them not to complain about thier petty aches and pains in life!
Make me a spark that kindles a flame of love for You Lord Jesus Christ!
Father,
I would like to let you know that I will remember you in my prayers. I will also tell some of my friends, and ask them to pray for you as well.
Father,
I spent time before the Blessed Sacrament today praying for you. Please be strong.
Dear Father
I could think of nothing worse than being in prison and being completely innocent of such an awful accusation. You truly are being called to be like Christ the Blameless One, and little comfort that it is, your particularly painful cross like Jesus’ own cross is saving many souls including I am sure many of the inmates where you are currently held.
God bless you Father; you will remain in my daily prayers
Father, when I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries every Tuesday I offer it for every priest I can remember, by name or image. I am on Pacific time, and say the rosary as I drive to work at 7:30 am. I hope some Tuesday you look up and see the clock at that time and know I am praying for you.
Dear Father, you are in my prayers. There is great injustice, and priests have ALWAYS been persecuted. You join the ranks of many who have gone before you and will follow, and in your own suffering, you have an opportunity to help those that WILL follow.
If you haven’t (I’m assuming you have, of course), read “He Leadeth Me” by Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ. I can testify that his own story helped me get through a very difficult time, but you will read it (or have) through significantly different eyes. I’ll pray to him for his intercession for you. God bless you, Father. Please pray for our Church!
It would make Father’s day to receive a note of encouragement from you in the comment box below. Comments are moderated, but I get to them promptly. Thanks! ~ Suzanne