My Priest is being led astray!

[joandarc2008]

Do the best you can with what you have and pray, then. I just want to help you know the steps to take for this problem.

And I do appreciate that - I do want you to know that I do have good council from members of the clergy that have first knowledge of the situation. I do see that you are from Chicago. Things are very different when you are in a rural community and I appreciate the help you are giving but even members of my fraternity have first hand knowledge of this situation and people being thrown off Church property by the diocese for complaining so it is not what you think it is and many of us are waiting to see how our new Bishop is. We pray that just having him will help our priest to see our letter in a new light. Hope is a wonderful thing and so is faith, belief, and prayer.

 

[TP2]

And I do appreciate that - I do want you to know that I do have good council from members of the clergy that have first knowledge of the situation. I do see that you are from Chicago. Things are very different when you are in a rural community and I appreciate the help you are giving but even members of my fraternity have first hand knowledge of this situation and people being thrown off Church property by the diocese for complaining so it is not what you think it is and many of us are waiting to see how our new Bishop is. We pray that just having him will help our priest to see our letter in a new light. Hope is a wonderful thing and so is faith, belief, and prayer.

Ok, see I did not know you already have a support group of OTHERS that can help you. I am a priest myself. I just haven’t been very involved for several years here on this site until recently. So again, God bless you and I pray this Priest brother of mine wises up and realizes he is an “alter christos” meaning, Another Christ and he must Teach the Truth whether he likes it or not. **I apologize to you for him. ** It huts all Priests even when one of our brother priests slacks off… I hope the bishop who had to been appointed by our Pope, does His job and takes care to shepherd this priest too as all priests must meet with thier bishops regularly and give an account of what their Parish is like in what condition spiritually.

Peace!! And have courage!!!

 

[EricFilmer]

What can I do to help a young Priest who is being led astray and tempted by woman?

Is this priest a parochial vicar? Seeing as he is young, that is my assumption. If this is the case then the pastor of your parish is his direct boss and acts as a type of mentor to him as well. In light of this, the first course of action may be to meet with the pastor in private and voice your concerns about the young priest. Then perhaps the pastor can help steer this priest into the right direction.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

Is this priest a parochial vicar? Seeing as he is young, that is my assumption. If this is the case then the pastor of your parish is his direct boss and acts as a type of mentor to him as well. In light of this, the first course of action may be to meet with the pastor in private and voice your concerns about the young priest. Then perhaps the pastor can help steer this priest into the right direction.

We are a small congregation and he is our paster.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

Is this priest a parochial vicar? Seeing as he is young, that is my assumption. If this is the case then the pastor of your parish is his direct boss and acts as a type of mentor to him as well. In light of this, the first course of action may be to meet with the pastor in private and voice your concerns about the young priest. Then perhaps the pastor can help steer this priest into the right direction.

We are a small congregation. He is our pastor.

 

[joandarc2008]

Ok, see I did not know you already have a support group of OTHERS that can help you. I am a priest myself. I just haven’t been very involved for several years here on this site until recently. So again, God bless you and I pray this Priest brother of mine wises up and realizes he is an “alter christos” meaning, Another Christ and he must Teach the Truth whether he likes it or not. **I apologize to you for him. ** It huts all Priests even when one of our brother priests slacks off… I hope the bishop who had to been appointed by our Pope, does His job and takes care to shepherd this priest too as all priests must meet with thier bishops regularly and give an account of what their Parish is like in what condition spiritually.

Peace!! And have courage!!!

Thank you for your help and am glad you identified yourself as a priest that makes a lot more sense Father. It is tough - even speaking to the visiting priest that we had that was sent to our mission parish - we have put pieces together. It is also tough because where we are is a large vacation time where many of the people that need to be speaking face to face are gone on vacation.

That is the great things about being a part of a lay order is we are never alone and we have that support. There is a chapter that is asleep and it has also inspired some to want to wake it up to be able to evangelize and protect the Sacraments through knowledge, love, and ministry. It is during times of the greatest crisis that Christ gives us the greatest love.

I notice the OP is from a small community. Here is a question for you Father - why is it that in small towns there only seems to be one priest - sometimes without a deacon or only a seasonal deacon. I would think in a small town sometime there can be even more temptation there would be more need of a “buddy team” concept so to speak?

 

[raaucoin]

perhaps this is the case But are You sure? Is it possible that the situation has been misinterpreted by you or other parishioners? Please be careful if ther is room for doubt. A young priests’ reputation is at stake. As well as that of this woman.

I do believe that even if you are wrong it is most appropriate to address your concerns with him directly first. Then if there is still concern contact your Bishop.

 

[TP2]

Thank you for your help and am glad you identified yourself as a priest that makes a lot more sense Father. It is tough - even speaking to the visiting priest that we had that was sent to our mission parish - we have put pieces together. It is also tough because where we are is a large vacation time where many of the people that need to be speaking face to face are gone on vacation.

That is the great things about being a part of a lay order is we are never alone and we have that support. There is a chapter that is asleep and it has also inspired some to want to wake it up to be able to evangelize and protect the Sacraments through knowledge, love, and ministry. It is during times of the greatest crisis that Christ gives us the greatest love.

I notice the OP is from a small community. Here is a question for you Father - why is it that in small towns there only seems to be one priest - sometimes without a deacon or only a seasonal deacon. I would think in a small town sometime there can be even more temptation there would be more need of a “buddy team” concept so to speak?

You have a great solution! Any man over 35 who is either married or not can seek to enter the permanent Diaconate Program. If you see a man who fits this description, ask him to seek a discernment to be a Deacon. You are right. A priest who is removed from other Priests who share the same Clerical Ordination is not the best thing. Again, the local Bishop, should be The Overseer and work this local rural situation out. That’s why he is a Bishop. I don’t know why this priest is alone. I’m alone in my parish, too. But again, I live near other brother priests so it is easier on the morale. Whereas I think this priest in a rural town needs to be more in touch with brother priests too.

He can make it happen by making an announcement to the community that he needs a Deacon and maybe he will find some Future Deacons that will help him in the ministry and also aid him AND REMIND HIM about HOLINESS, TOO!

 

[TP2]

perhaps this is the case But are You sure? Is it possible that the situation has been misinterpreted by you or other parishioners? Please be careful if ther is room for doubt. A young priests’ reputation is at stake. As well as that of this woman.

I do believe that even if you are wrong it is most appropriate to address your concerns with him directly first. Then if there is still concern contact your Bishop.

I think she/he can tell if a priest or anyone is getting cozy with each other. That ain’t rocket science and I agree as I told her to go to the priest, then th bishop.

 

[JohnCS]

I think she/he can tell if a priest or anyone is getting cozy with each other. That ain’t rocket science and I agree as I told her to go to the priest, then th bishop.

If I remember right, Saint Pio was accused of “getting cozy” with some woman as well. Not disagreeing, just saying it’s is very important to be sure.

God bless

John

 

[joandarc2008]

You have a great solution! Any man over 35 who is either married or not can seek to enter the permanent Diaconate Program. If you see a man who fits this description, ask him to seek a discernment to be a Deacon. You are right. A priest who is removed from other Priests who share the same Clerical Ordination is not the best thing. Again, the local Bishop, should be The Overseer and work this local rural situation out. That’s why he is a Bishop. I don’t know why this priest is alone. I’m alone in my parish, too. But again, I live near other brother priests so it is easier on the morale. Whereas I think this priest in a rural town needs to be more in touch with brother priests too.

He can make it happen by making an announcement to the community that he needs a Deacon and maybe he will find some Future Deacons that will help him in the ministry and also aid him AND REMIND HIM about HOLINESS, TOO!

I think that is a wonderful idea. BTW- Father just from a discussion in different answers that were given from different parishes and the Archdiocese - I am curious b/c I know one would have to be this to take Holy Orders to become a permanent deacon - if someone asked you what it meant to be in communion with the Catholic Church (mind you there are many taking Eucharist that should not be and see your priest is kind of a cop out answer) what is your short answer or your not so long answer - or is there some kind of booklet the Church puts out with a checklist on this question?

 

[raaucoin]

Mother teresa was moved from one convent to another and her superiors read her mail because they thought she was spending to much time with her confessor and feared an inappropriate relationship.

If this young priest is flirting, kissing holding hands, no- doesn’t take a rocket scientist.
However, if this is soley on the basis of they just seem to be spending a lot of time together-PLEASE BE CAREFUL.That’s all I’m saying.

 

[joandarc2008]

Mother teresa was moved from one convent to another and her superiors read her mail because they thought she was spending to much time with her confessor and feared an inappropriate relationship.

If this young priest is flirting, kissing holding hands, no- doesn’t take a rocket scientist.
However, if this is soley on the basis of they just seem to be spending a lot of time together-PLEASE BE CAREFUL.That’s all I’m saying.

We have a saying in the military that sometimes the appearance of impropriety can be just as damaging as impropriety itself. That is what scandal is all about. Sometimes if you as a parishioner - especially if you are a male- talk to your priest one on one and tell him that scandal is being created the actions may change. If not then TP2 has given very good advice.

 

[TP2]

if someone asked you what it meant to be in communion with the Catholic Church (mind you there are many taking Eucharist that should not be and see your priest is kind of a cop out answer) what is your short answer or your not so long answer - or is there some kind of booklet the Church puts out with a checklist on this question?

What does it mean to be in Full Communion with The Catholic Church (United to Rome, I’m sure you mean…

It doesn’t get simpler than this in my humble opinion. One needs to accept The Complet Deposit of Faith given to The Apostles and their Successors, The Bishops and Successor of Peter – The Bishop of Rome. That’s all in a nutshell. If I missed something, let me know.

There are many resources for folks to understand. This is a very quick listed booklet. Get a bunch!!! And of course Catholic Answers has great tracts, too!!!

When I think of others I will let you know here. I really want to help the folks with finding great resources.

amazon.com/gp/product/1592766366/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0PN767QS8GNWNPC582FM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846#_

And this book referenced above here by Catholic Answers is THE BEST!!! I have it and I still have to come back to it most every week!!

amazon.com/Essential-Catholic-Survival-Guide-Anwers/dp/1888992816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278109260&sr=1-1

 

[joandarc2008]

What does it mean to be in Full Communion with The Catholic Church (United to Rome, I’m sure you mean…

It doesn’t get simpler than this in my humble opinion. One needs to accept The Complet Deposit of Faith given to The Apostles and their Successors, The Bishops and Successor of Peter – The Bishop of Rome. That’s all in a nutshell. If I missed something, let me know.

There are many resources for folks to understand. This is a very quick listed booklet. Get a bunch!!! And of course Catholic Answers has great tracts, too!!!

When I think of others I will let you know here. I really want to help the folks with finding great resources.

amazon.com/gp/product/1592766366/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0PN767QS8GNWNPC582FM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846#_

And this book referenced above here by Catholic Answers is THE BEST!!!

amazon.com/Essential-Catholic-Survival-Guide-Anwers/dp/1888992816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278109260&sr=1-1

Exactly - the answer the Archdiocese gave when people were told in order to start the lay ministry program they had to be in full communion with the Catholic Church was that if they were married they had to be Sacramentally in the Catholic Church and if they were divorced and remarried they had to have a decree of nullity or a lack of form nullity for those people that were baptized but not married in the Church and then divorced- it was a paperwork issue for them and not a faith issue. We have a new Archbishop now.

 

[TP2]

You should have a good Archbishop since he was called on by Pope Benedict… He is very thorough in whom he chooses…

 

[joandarc2008]

You should have a good Archbishop since he was called on by Pope Benedict… He is very thorough in whom he chooses…

I have heard very good things about the new Archbishop. I do wonder how long it will take to clean out the old staff

 

[TP2]

I have heard very good things about the new Archbishop. I do wonder how long it will take to clean out the old staff

It’s gonna take awhile.

 

[ryecroft]

O.K., I was in a parish where this happened - first of all I want to say, how do you know about this and are you sure he’s not just placating her - trying to be nice without being too harsh? I’m sorry to question you- it’s not that I don’t believe what’s being said, it’s just I’ve seen malicious rumors begin and snow ball into a huge mess- and then later find out that the Priest was not at fault. I’m sorry to say, but certain women kind of going after Priests is something I’ve ssen far too often. I have a friend who is a Priest and he explained how difficult it can be to convince a female that has an interest that regardless of interes (although he did say he wasn’t), he took a vow and that’s it - no need for interpretation, it’s a vow. But he also did get told by the Bishop that he needed to “keep his congregation in order…” (this was after this thing had snow balled and someone had written the Bishop)- Bishops are unlikely (in my experience) to want to deal with this sort of thing unless he hears a lot about it and generally then, (again in my experience) will take the word of the priest over the word of parishoners.

And from some of the other comments on here, I’m curious, how do so many people know about their Priest’s personal life? Is it just what you’re “hearing” around the Parish or are you actually seeing things happen. I guess I’d like to think that if a priest were going to do something like this they’d try to keep it quiet. I really hope things clear up in your parish. It’s sad to think of more priests leaving the priesthood because they want to get married or the like.

God Bless
Rye

 

[joandarc2008]

In one Parish where we I got married one of the priests that had been there ended up on the news for having a child with a stripper. The archdiocese had paid out all kinds of child support. He started seeing her again later on. He is now no longer a priest and is suing for custody of the child. As much as we want to make sure we are right - I am sure the bishop would have rather someone at the second parish would have said something when they had an inkling.

And for the record - I am very pro-priest - pro-priest for the ones that support the Magisterium of the Church and the Vocation of the priesthood.