Update on Fr. Francis Mary Stone aka David Stone

[Post updated on October 20, 2009]

Many of you come to this site searching for an update on Fr. Francis Mary Stone.  Well here’s his purported site, which seems to have been inactivated:

Dave Stone, Inc.

Resource for priests considering leaving the priesthood:

Standing With Peter (no site)

Standing With Peter is an organization that was founded by Fr. Lawrence Michael to offer support to inactive and active priests who are loyal to the Pope and to the teachings of the Church. Standing with Peter is for priests who are isolated or threatened because of their loyalty to the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church.

From their announcement: Fraternal support group for inactive priests who left the active ministry for worldly pursuits but whose hearts have turned and now desire to support the Holy Father and Magisterium.  Our membership consists of spiritually wounded inactive brother priests.  It also includes active priests, both those who are tempted to take the same unfortunate path and those who simply wish to help us in this apostolate.  We extend fraternal help to each other in our struggle to live the life of grace and to love the Church.  Retreats

Priests who might be interested may write to Standing With Peter, P.O. Box 2230, Brattleboro, VT 05303. cumpetro@adelphia.net

Follow the discussion:

Fr. Francis Mary Stone of EWTN Is Now Dave

Fr. Joe Jenkins provides clarity on this scandal:

FATHER JOE: I was not sure what this comment was about, but I now see that it is a citation from the former priest’s website. He mentioned my remark but I stand by what I said regarding the harsh cold realities of raising a family. My father quit school after fifth grade to help his parents. He worked like a dog at manual labor and as a surveyor’s aide six days a week from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM six days a week. He took no vacations and destroyed his body while earning minimum wage. He had to take care of seven children and a wife at home. Every Sunday, without excuses or tardiness, he made sure we all went to Mass. When he finally retired he had a series of strokes and was largely bedridden until 83 years of age. Then he went to God. He suffered at his work. It was not fun. It was not fulfilling. But it was his duty. He had promises to keep. TRUE LOVE and manhood is measured by how we embrace the challenging harsh realities of life. It is at the core as to what Christian sacrifice is about. My father counted his wife and children as his treasures. He was poor in the eyes of the world but he counted himself rich. He told me if you get married, you belong to your family… totally, all your strength, everything. If you become a priest, you belong to the Church. He insisted that I must decide one way or the other and he prayed that I would be a priest. He stressed again and again, whatever you do, KEEP YOUR PROMISES. I cannot speak about other men, or even about other priests… but my father’s wisdom is mine. There can be no turning back. I am a priest. I am celibate. I am obedient. My life belongs to the Lord and his Church.

Father or Mister Stone seems to be telling people openly now what I concealed of his scandal told me some time back. He can write his book, although I would urge silence and prudence. And with that I will shut up myself. Peace!

When Fr. Stone first left EWTN to discern his vocation, faithful priests offered their advice for priests and women who place themselves in precarious situations.  It’s covered in the second half of this previous post:

Reader Mail on An Affair with a Priest

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