Catholic Relief Services “stonewalling” in the wake of allegations that it’s allied with pro-abortion, pro-contraception groups.

CRS’s statement is similar to an an email sent to this agency in late December in response to questioning about FRAYBA and CEREAL, and leaves several questions unanswered.

Although the organization also claimed in December that its partnership with FRAYBA had ended in 2011, CRS spokesman John Rivera refused to explain why the organization was still listed as a partner on its Mexico partner’s page.  He also would not state whether CRS continued to have some relationship with FRAYBA, or if it has a relationship with other pro-abortion groups, such as the All Rights for Everyone Human Rights Network (TDT), of which FRAYBA is a member.

However, following publication of LifeSiteNews.com’s recent exposé on the two groups on February 20, CRS removed the donor page listing both FRAYBA and CEREAL.  A copy of the original page can be found here.

Read more

Seen on the web: Abuse cover up claimed to be going on in Diocese of Joliet?

Reader comment re: Crisis Magazine article on KC Bishop Finn

A victim of recent Diocesan abuse 10/29/2011 11:38 am

The Diocese of Joliet in Illinois is also covering up an abuser is continues to be employed on staff in spite of numerous written and verbal complaints.  No secular organization would allow this person’s behavior to continue more than 5 minutes, yet he has been allowed to continue for over 5 years.

Any staff person attempting to address his sexual, physical, and verbal abuses has been threatened into silence.  Bishop Conlon is at least consistent in his response to this issue, in that he has a long history of coverups in his previous diocese of Stuebenville.

Link

Editor’s note: Does anyone know more about these allegations? If true, this is very serious. If false, calumnious. Either way, it needs to be properly addressed … and quickly! Please let me know.

PFL public relations director attempts to “set the record straight” about the Bishop Zurek/Father Pavone/Priests for Life dispute

As published in the October 25, 2011 issue of the Amarillo Globe-News

For over a month now, a tremendous amount of misinformation has been spread across the country about Father Frank Pavone and Priests for Life. In the interest of fairness, the editors have offered us the opportunity to set the record straight and we thank them.

Read the article

Priest for Life’s letter to the bishops

…The distressing conclusion of Bishop Zurek’s letter seems to us to be an outright and unjustified attack on the work of Priests for Life as a whole, which is much more grave than his real or imagined difficulty with Father Pavone.

In His Excellency’s final paragraph, he asks you to “inform the Christian faithful under your care to consider withholding donations to PFL.” Herein lies the danger of introducing an element of mistrust toward an organization with an earned, longstanding and positive reputation, along with praise and endorsements from bishops and cardinals throughout the United States and the Vatican.

Bishop Zurek’s denunciation of Priests for Life has already provoked scandal where none exists, thereby fulfilling the concern he professes to have. Based merely on insinuations, misunderstandings, and conjecture, a public accusation against Priests for Life—calling into question the organization’s ethics and spirit—tarnishes and stigmatizes what has become a most prominent pro-life ministry in the Church. Everyone will be harmed—including the unborn—perhaps irrevocably.

Perhaps what is most distressing is the fact that the denunciations are predicated on non-existent facts. Documentary evidence that leads to the opposite conclusion and that is readily accepted in professional circles exists and is in the possession of Bishop Zurek and others concerned with Priests for Life.

Read more (PDF file)

A Canon Lawyer analyzes the Bishop Zurek – Father Pavone dispute

The Zurek-Pavone dispute is public. Based only on Zurek’s letter to Pavone and on Pavone’s response to Zurek as reported at Lifesite News, I offer the following initial observations and/or personal opinions.

Bp. Zurek:

• should not have used the term “suspend” in regard to Pavone, for “suspension” is a canonical penalty for crime (c. 1333), and Pavone has not been accused of any crime.
• is within his authority to recall Pavone to Amarillo in virtue of Pavone’s promise of obedience (c. 273) and may revoke the permission required for any secular cleric to be outside his diocese of incardination for a notable period (c. 283).
• may assign Pavone to a “time of prayer and reflection” and need not give him a specific office (c. 157).
• is responsible for Pavone’s reasonable maintenance (c. 281).

Fr. Pavone:

• is a priest in good standing, specifically with faculties for ministry within the Diocese of Amarillo; absent clarification, however, I would regard as withdrawn Pavone’s faculties for preaching outside of Amarillo (c. 764), for confession outside of Amarillo (c. 967), and for the exercise of other sacred functions such as celebrating Mass outside of Amarillo (cc. 903, 561), none of which restrictions, however, is an express or implied penalty.
• has a right to protest, even vigorously (c. 220), the use of the word “suspend” in his regard, but has alleged no basis to oppose his basic recall to Amarillo or any lawful directives otherwise imposed on him now or in the future.
• has alleged no basis upon which the “public promise” of pro-life work he made in a ceremony “presided over by a Vatican cardinal” conferred on Pavone any special canonical rights able to be invoked against the normal exercise of ecclesiastical authority.
• as the (apparent) CEO of Priests for Life, a “private association of the faithful” (cc. 321-326), Pavone/PFL are susceptible to the “vigilance” of ecclesiastical authority in the administration of its assets (c. 325); who exactly that authority is, however, is not clear from the information in front of me.
• needs to be attentive to the restrictions against clerical involvement in the administration of goods belonging to lay persons (c. 285) and against clerical involvement in negotio (c. 286).

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Seen on the web regarding Bishop Zurek, Father Pavone, and the PFL dispute

Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2011 6:39 AM By Larry

Ohhh, boy. If you thought the Corapi case was ugly, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, my friends. In that case, the accuser was a third party. Here the accuser is Father Pavone’s superior, a diocesan bishop who has as much as charged Pavone with being a crook as well as a rogue priest, going so far as to urge a donation boycott against Priests for Life.

I don’t see any wiggle room here, folks–no way around the conclusion that one of these two men is lying and when the dust finally settles, will have been unmasked and disgraced in front of faithful Catholics everywhere.

At least as fervently as with Corapi, I hope that Pavone can prove his innocense–but if he can, then that would mean that Bishop Zurek is not only a scoundrel, but a spectacular fool to have hurled charges and taken action as serious as this without sufficient evidence to back it up.

The Bishop faces high stakes as well. If it were to turn out that he is guilty of calumny and the attempted sabotage of the pro-life movement, the backlash will be overwhelming–far worse than with President Obama and Notre Dame.

The Holy See would either have to ask for his resignation or risk driving large numbers of the faithful into the arms of SSPX. Unless he is certifiably insane, Zurek must know this, and the Holy See must know it also and must be quietly watching and listening. Either way, I’m not looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

Link

Editor’s note: I suspect the ill will towards Father Pavone, Priests for Life, and the pro-life movement (if it truly exists) will eventually be discovered, cleverly concealed in the Chancellery of the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas. Most bishops are much too savvy to fall for such things, without assistance.

However this turns out, what about the score of bishops who already sit on the board of Priests for Life? How will they respond to these allegations?

The Official Vatican Response To Accusations of Irish Government Official Enda Kenny

Read the document

Editor’s note: The short version of the response: Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, like many other politicians, made a series of unfounded accusations, for he he had no proof whatsoever.

Latest (improbable) Corapi installment: Follow the money!

A report from January 28, 2011 states that the Diocese of Corpus Christi, others settle in suit alleging molestation. These others are the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), the order of which Fr. Corapi was a member.

A reader at Facebook suggested the following:

SOLT in conjunction with the Diocese of Corpus Christi has just shelled out 1.96 million dollars to a young man who a priest in SOLT raped and then contracted a murder on. Bishop Mulvey then conveniently receives a letter of accusation of everything from sex to drugs – from a pair of down on their luck losers, who for two years were quietly content to live off the departure money they accepted -who are now in financial straits, whose very house is about to be foreclosed while the head of SOLT then orders Father Corapi to “come home” and give his fortune and be a good little priest.

It’s inexplicable. It’s improbable. It’s unbelievable.

Link

More on the Corapi saga: Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.

When giants fall, the ground shakes. Father John Corapi was a giant and many are still shaken at his downfall. I’ve read all the terrible twists and turns in this surreal case of a SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) priest who had many in the Catholic world by their hearts. It’s a great plot for a movie: popular, iconic priest who leads many to God and, in the end, himself falls. Wait, “fall” isn’t a big enough word. Maybe: plunges from meteoric heights of esteem among the faithful.

Read more

Jimmy Akin: Fr. Corapi’s Lawsuit against Accuser (Full Text)

See the post

Corapi law suit contains lurid details of accusations

To me, the most astounding thing about the lawsuit is the lurid details Corapi decides to include, details that, while showing she is not exactly a saint, do not do him any favors either.

For example, the brief argues that “[her] Letter contained numerous false, malicious and unprivileged statements about Corapi including…Corapi met [her] when she was sent to meet him by an escort service whom Corapi had contacted; Corapi was a regular drug purchaser and user who…did drugs with [her] and…three of her sisters; Corapi engaged in sexual acts and sexual intercourse with [her and] … one of [her] sisters; Corapi punched [her] in the face; and Corapi currently has a ‘new mistress.'”

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McKinley: Father Corapi’s version of recent events is right on the money.

The accuser does not have to meet any litmus test for ‘credibility’ of the accusation. In fact, their story can be impossible to have taken place, the priest can have witnesses and facts that vindicate him and they are still out of their ministries for over ten years.

During that time, the allegations are withheld from them and their attorneys. They are forbidden from defending themselves.

Their money is cut off so that hiring an attorney relies on getting somebody to do it pro bono.

What do you think the chances are of that?

They bankrupt you financially, morally and spiritually.

There are no rules of civil procedure. In fact, the accused does not have to testify under pains and penalties of perjury while the priests are forced to sign away their right to civilly recover damages for libel, slander and defamation of character. You cannot cross examine.

The diocese, at least here in Boston, provides the accuser with a coach.

You read that right. The archdiocese helps to coach the accuser.

Read more

More on the Corapi affair: That “Black Sheep Dog” just might turn out to be a fox.

by Doug Lawrence

One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to realize that the only real power anyone (including the Catholic Church) had over John Corapi was the suspension of his priestly faculties … and once Corapi decided to simply “walk away” … that power was effectively nullified.

Looking to the future, it is also logical (taking John at his word) to assume that his civil suit will successfully prevail, resulting in a retraction of all the allegations against him.

At that point, there will be nothing for the Church to investigate. Then, Corapi and the Church can move towards some type of positive reconciliation/repatriation.

All will appear together, suitably somber and contrite, appropriate sums of money will change hands, and Father John’s priestly suspension will be summarily lifted.

If the sums are large enough, his following loyal enough, and his public relations efforts strong enough, Father John Corapi might even be able to keep living and working on his own. (There is existing Church precedent for all of this.)

In the mean time, “The Black Sheep Dog” will shortly have a new book to sell … and as they say, “You just can’t buy publicity like this!”

This Week’s Ask Alice: Evaluating Catholic sites that are critical of the Vatican, the Pope, and the Church.

Send A Question To Alice

She’ll answer as many questions as possible,
right here, every Thursday.

Email responses will also be provided, as time permits.

Andy Asks: I’m not sure what to make of sites like this. Particularly this article. What’s your opinion?

Alice Answers: The article entitled, “The Apotheosis of Antichrist,” attacked Pope John Paul II as the Vatican was preparing for his recent beatification. Written by Br. Bruno Bonnet-Eymard, editor of “The Catholic Counter-Reformation in the 21st Century,” Br. Bruno is a member of Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart, a small religious community founded by the late Fr. Georges de Nantes, a French priest, who was suspended a divinis by Apostolic Signature in 1966.

Rather than debate his diatribe against Pope John Paul’s character and sanctity, please consider the source (de Nantes) of these comments, many of which are scurrilous.

Fr. De Nantes hurled harsh criticisms against Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II when he accused them of heresy in his “Books of Accusation.” It was his “disrespect for the popes” that earned his suspension. The Catholic Counter Reformation, CRC, which Fr. de Nantes founded is deemed “outside the Catholic Church.” His fringe faction, “The Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart” which belongs to the CRC, was labeled as a cult by the French Commission on Cults in its 1995 report. In 2001, Fr. De Nantes was forbidden to celebrate, give and receive the sacraments anywhere, which is the highest penalty before excommunication.

It seems ironic that Fr. de Nantes, who wrote “Pope John Paul II had faith in man,” expects his followers to have blind faith in his own opinions against two Catholic pontiffs. Faithful Catholics are called to respect the Magisterium of the Church, a stance which seemed to have eluded Fr. de Nantes and his successor, Br. Bonnet-Eymard. The writings of both men seem reminiscent of Martin Luther’s Reformation ramblings.

As Catholics we are called to support the Body of Christ. Not divide it. Sadly, Fr. de Nantes’ legacy bequeathed his egotistical agenda to Br. Bonnet Eymard.

In Christ’s Love,

Alice

Doug Lawrence Adds: Many of these sites are well intentioned, and may even be at least partially correct in some instances, regarding some issues … while others are totally outrageous and impossible to reconcile with either common sense or the one, true faith. Still, it’s often hard to tell one from another.

An alert, thoroughly educated and well-read Catholic can usually spot problem areas in a New York minute, while others may be easily led astray, and may even have their faith unnecessarily attacked and/or improperly tested.

Issues are often addressed in a way that combines the worst of two worlds: religion and politics. For most people, that spells nothing but trouble!

Best to avoid such sites unless you really need to go there … and you really know your faith, your politics, and your history. If in doubt, evaluate the content and demeanor of the website in light of common sense, common courtesy, and relevant Catholic Canon Law:

Canon 212.3 states: “According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess,
[the faithful] have the right and even the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of the faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.”

Click here to see all of Alice’s other columns

Alleged kiddie porn case in Kansas City. Priest attempts suicide. Bishop apologizes.

For the second time in a week, Bishop Robert Finn said Friday that he regretted not responding to warnings about a priest now accused of possessing child pornography.

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Father Corapi and the Sad State of Due Process for Accused Priests

A zero-tolerance policy without due process that de facto impugns the reputations of the accused is immoral. The Church has a duty to protect the innocent, even if the innocent is a priest.  Of course, the Church has a moral duty to make sure that the scandal of abuse and cover-up is never repeated, but it cannot willfully sacrifice the reputations of the innocent . . . The end does not justify the means. I do not know that any of this applies to the Father Corapi case, but we have seen this happen in other cases too and it is wrong – Pat Archbold, March 20, 2011 at www.NCRegister.com/blog

Those are some of the sanest words I have read about the matter of Father John Corapi, a gifted priest who, at this writing, has been sidelined by accusations of sex and drug abuse brought by an unidentified adult woman.

Before I write further, I should point out that unlike many of those writing on this topic in the Catholic on-line world, I am not a follower of Father Corapi. I don’t dislike him either. His preaching style and message just haven’t touched me the way they seem to have touched many others. I simply mean to say that I am not a disgruntled fan driven to champion the cause of a spiritual icon whose good name has been cast into the abyss. If Father Corapi never preached in public again, that fact alone would elicit no emotional response from me beyond my concern for justice.

Read more

A complete summary of all the Father Corapi articles posted, to-date.

Click here for summary of articles.

Will success spoil Father John Corapi?

By Doug Lawrence

Some have maintained that the statement issued by Santa Cruz Media was in some way, disobedient, inappropriate or misleading. Taking it at face value, I see it merely as additional positive confirmation of the facts alleged in Father Corapi’s original statement.

By now, many have figured out that Santa Cruz Media Inc. is a corporation of which the CEO and registered agent appears to be none other than Father John Corapi. I say, “So what?” For a host of reasons, running a business through a corporation is a smart way to go. Furthermore … the statement of Bobbi Ruffatto, Vice President of Operations at Santa Cruz Media, stands on its own as the best, first hand, eye-witness testimony we have, so far. I’m grateful for that.

As for the part about the corporation being a private, secular corporation, not under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church: Of course that’s true! And because of that, there is absolutely no reason for Santa Cruz Media to suspend normal business operations, even though Father Corapi has been temporarily suspended from his ministry.

Some have also assumed that Father Corapi had taken a vow of poverty … something which seems very unlikely, based on his apparent living arrangements. But even if he did, there’s nothing to say that he couldn’t have been dispensed from that vow.

Then we have others who are concerned that Father Corapi has been looking rather tan and has apparently been dying his hair. Again I say, “So what?” The man has been sick, he’s no spring chicken, and he’s smart to maintain his appearance … especially since he regularly appears on television.  A nice tan and a bit of hair color makes you look alive for the camera … and it also minimizes the need for a lot of troublesome and tedious makeup.

In this age of 1080p HD TV such things are more important than ever … especially for those who already have a lot of miles on them. Ask anyone in the industry!

Now … about that late model BMW automobile that Father Corapi allegedly chooses to drive…

I hate BMW’s!

Accused Father John Corapi: Open, public scandal … or a simple employee/employer dispute?

By Doug Lawrence

As the dust begins to settle from the recent Father Corapi allegations, I can’t help thinking that his suspension from priestly ministry was not only hasty, but also unwarranted.

What we have here appears to be more like a typical employee/employer dispute.

In such cases, it would be very, very rare for the affected “business” to be shut down, while necessary inquiries are made. But this is essentially what happened to Father Corapi, when his superior arbitrarily decided to suspend him from ministry.

Of course, Father Corapi’s ministry … and his business … are rather unusual … since few, if any Catholic priests operate as he does.

One would not normally expect the superior of a religious order to have to consider “business consequences” in his deliberations, but the simple fact is … “Father Corapi Inc.” … constitutes a major business enterprise that regularly serves the spiritual needs of thousands and thousands of good, faithful people, all around the world. And right now, many of those souls (especially the ones holding tickets for the long anticipated … now canceled … De Kalb, Illinois speaking engagement) are very, very hurt and upset.

I can’t help thinking that this could have been handled differently … and in a much better way.

It also makes me wonder if the apostle’s first response to the descent of the Holy Spirit, at Pentecost … was to cover their asses! (Please excuse the unavoidable crudeness.)

Complete summary of all Father Corapi articles to-date

Official Statements Regarding the Current Status of Father John Corapi

Statement from Rev. Gerald Sheehan, Regional Priest Servant

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity

18 March 2011

Today, as Regional Priest Servant for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, I have the unhappy responsibility to announce that Father John Corapi, SOLT has been placed on administrative leave from priestly ministry, in accordance to the Code of Cannon Law of the Catholic Church.  We have received an allegation that Father Corapi has behaved in a manner unbecoming of a priest and are duty-bound to conduct an investigation in this accusation.

It is important to keep in mind that this action in no way implies Father Corapi is guilty of the allegation.  It is equally important to know that, based on the information we have received thus far, the claim of misconduct does not involve minors and does not arise to the of criminal conduct.  Consequently, this matter will be investigated internally, and unless and until information suggests otherwise it will not be referred to civil authorities.  In the event that we learn of any occasion where the criminal civil law may have been breached we will immediately refer the matter to civil authorities.

Statement of Bishop George Leo Thomas, the bishop of the Diocese of Helena

“It is important to accord Father Corapi the principles of due process, including the assumption of innocence, until a full investigation is carried out by his superiors. More importantly, I appeal for prayers on behalf of everyone involved in this very complex situation.” Father Corapi has a personal residence in Kalispell, Mont. He does not hold priestly faculties in the Diocese of Helena, said Diocese of Helena Chancellor Father John Robertson.

Thanks to Pat Archbold, NCR