Ex-EWTN priest, TV host not guilty of child sexual abuse, jury says

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maxirad
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
So glad to hear this.

And to think he left the priesthood
 
I really liked Fr. Francis Mary and was sad when I heard about his leaving his order and the priesthood. Since then, Life on the Rock hasn’t had a comparable host.

At the time, I read somewhere that he had started counseling the woman, got acquainted with her children and ended up falling in love with her. It was not clear to me then or now whether they had engaged in a sexual affair or not, but my understanding was that this new emotional involvement made him to reconsider his religious vocation and he chose marriage.

Now, learning that they separated and that Fr. Francis Mary was accused by that woman of abusing their son, I cannot help thinking that it was the work of the enemy of human nature who ensnared him away from a life of perfection and from the sacrifice of the altar.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον!
 
A lot of women are attracted to charismatic priests, and of course priests are men. But it is the business of both priests and laywomen to control themselves and stay away from temptation.

But yeah, the kind of woman who will have willing sex with a priest, or seduce a priest (as opposed to the sort of woman who would at least wait for him to leave the priesthood) is bound to be a woman with deep psychological and moral problems. It does not surprise me that things might get worse from there.

However, in this specific case, we cannot know the whole story. We should pray for everyone involved, and especially the kids.
 
A sad, sad story. Regardless of the truth or falsity of this allegation, I am so sorry for the children of these two individuals.
 
What a sad story. Regardless of who is right.

Let us pray for them.
 
Check out this video, which contains a 2004 episode of Life on the Rock. David Stone, then known as Fr. Francis Mary, appears as the host. Needless to say, he was still in priestly ministry at the time.
 
EWTN has released the following statement:
We are relieved by the news that a Jefferson County jury has acquitted David Stone, formerly Father Francis Mary of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, on charges of child sexual abuse.
Click to expand...
On Nov. 1, 2007, then-Father Francis was removed from his on-air role at EWTN after admitting that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an adult female. He subsequently left EWTN and the network has had no further contact with him since then. The charges made at trial related to conduct alleged to have occurred after he had left Irondale.
Click to expand...
All of us at EWTN certainly have a deep concern for all who have been affected by this situation. We ask our EWTN family to keep this matter in your prayers.
Click to expand...
 
Whoever was commenting on there saying that “not guilty” doesn’t mean innocent… seriously… if you’re innocent until proven guilty, and the jury says “not guilty”, what does that make you? :faaaaaacepalm:
 
ivebeenshown said:
Whoever was commenting on there saying that “not guilty” doesn’t mean innocent… seriously… if you’re innocent until proven guilty, and the jury says “not guilty”, what does that make you? :faaaaaacepalm:
Click to expand...
The presumption of innocence doesn’t mean you are in fact innocent. It is just a phrase used to describe the default position of the legal system. It describes where the burden of proof lies. There was not an investigation into innocence, which can be hard if not impossible to prove.
 
Mintaka said:
A lot of women are attracted to charismatic priests, and of course priests are men. But it is the business of both priests and laywomen to control themselves and stay away from temptation.

But yeah, the kind of woman who will have willing sex with a priest, or seduce a priest (as opposed to the sort of woman who would at least wait for him to leave the priesthood) is bound to be a woman with deep psychological and moral problems. It does not surprise me that things might get worse from there.

However, in this specific case, we cannot know the whole story. We should pray for everyone involved, and especially the kids.
Click to expand...
Women who have sexual relationships with to priests are like women who have sexual relationships with anyone else. They find the priest attractive, they fall in love, and, with together they go further. It takes two to tango. Although they should keep their relationship chaste – both of them – you can’t assume that either the woman or the priest are psychologically or morally flawed. I agree with you that we cannot know the whole story.
 
It’s very sad. I remember when this first came out publicly. I hadn’t heard about the potential child abuse. Glad that was false!

EWTN has had trouble with at least two of their priests. Father Corrappi is another. Sad times we are living in. 😦
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top