What would you do?

[etspiri2sanctus]

I recently was given information (gossip?) regarding a priest who was transferred to a different parish under (suspicious, gossip) circumstances. Supposedly many years ago, he was involved in homosexual groupy living. The Bishop did not act immediately because of the horrendous things that were being said about this man, but he eventually transferred him to another Parish. Now this particular priest has (supposedly) been caught in questionable circumstances and is once again transferred to another parish by a different Bishop.

This does bother me, as I am wondering if the game is being played again, round and around he goes.

Since the Bishop apparently already knows of the allegations and the priest has been transferred, is there anything that can be done to settle this? I do not want to involve an innocent man, if he is so, in an allegation which may be only hearsay. But if he is guilty of inappropriate behavior, he should not have been transferred to yet another parish. Isn’t the Church already in enough trouble for such actions previously.

What to do? What would you do?

 

[Trishie]

As there is only gossip and nothing substantial, you don’t really even know if there is anything wrong. If anyone does actually know anything concrete, or anyone is personally harmed, then they should act…contact Rome if unsatisfied about local response. But the fact is you can do nothing because you have nothing to substantiate the rumors.

As someone who was able to help clear a good priest of vicious lies, I know that untruths can circulate and become more real with every person told. Even the fact that you are telling the story gives strength to the gossip…and all it consists of, according to what you report in your post, is unsubstantiated gossip.

God bless you

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

I recently was given information (gossip?) regarding a priest who was transferred to a different parish under (suspicious, gossip) circumstances. Supposedly many years ago, he was involved in homosexual groupy living. The Bishop did not act immediately because of the horrendous things that were being said about this man, but he eventually transferred him to another Parish. Now this particular priest has (supposedly) been caught in questionable circumstances and is once again transferred to another parish by a different Bishop.

This does bother me, as I am wondering if the game is being played again, round and around he goes.

Since the Bishop apparently already knows of the allegations and the priest has been transferred, is there anything that can be done to settle this? I do not want to involve an innocent man, if he is so, in an allegation which may be only hearsay. But if he is guilty of inappropriate behavior, he should not have been transferred to yet another parish. Isn’t the Church already in enough trouble for such actions previously.

What to do? What would you do?

Me? I would keep my mouth shut (Calumny and detraction are two sins I wish to avoid) while trying to find out what I can (assuming this priest might some day return to my parish). I would try to ascertain whether this was true and if so why the Bishop was simply reassigning this priest instead of putting him away somewhere or “de-frocking” him. The hard part for me would be maintaining an “innocent until proven guilty” attitude, since I am a judger. But I would absolutely strive to keep my mouth shut since, if false, this could destroy that Priests ministry for the rest of his life and if true, it would not be within my authority to do anything anyway.

But thats just me…

FSC

 

[puzzleannie]

I recently was given information (gossip?) regarding a priest who was transferred to a different parish under (suspicious, gossip) circumstances. Supposedly many years ago, he was involved in homosexual groupy living. The Bishop did not act immediately because of the horrendous things that were being said about this man, but he eventually transferred him to another Parish. Now this particular priest has (supposedly) been caught in questionable circumstances and is once again transferred to another parish by a different Bishop.

This does bother me, as I am wondering if the game is being played again, round and around he goes.

Since the Bishop apparently already knows of the allegations and the priest has been transferred, is there anything that can be done to settle this? I do not want to involve an innocent man, if he is so, in an allegation which may be only hearsay. But if he is guilty of inappropriate behavior, he should not have been transferred to yet another parish. Isn’t the Church already in enough trouble for such actions previously.

What to do? What would you do?

you first verify your facts that there indeed has been actual misbehavior, and but if he is in your parish, in contact with your children or other children of the parish, it is your right if you have any reasonable suspicion at all to demand an answer from the bishop. Go through the official appointed to deal with such questions, usually there is a link on your diocesan website referencing child safety, and the usual contact is the vicar general. while this exchange is going on you nothing to anyone else, above all avoid being a center for gossip and detraction of the priest until you have answers. Even then, your motive is simply to remind the bishop of his duty to protect the people of your parish, never is it to personally pass on detracting information to others. You might put it, in your inquiry to the bishop, that your motive is to stop unfounded gossip by airing truth instead of rumor, and that it is as much in the best interests of all concerned that a reputation be cleared if such ill-natured gossip is going about.

 

[etspiri2sanctus]

you first verify your facts that there indeed has been actual misbehavior, and but if he is in your parish, in contact with your children or other children of the parish, it is your right if you have any reasonable suspicion at all to demand an answer from the bishop. Go through the official appointed to deal with such questions, usually there is a link on your diocesan website referencing child safety, and the usual contact is the vicar general. while this exchange is going on you nothing to anyone else, above all avoid being a center for gossip and detraction of the priest until you have answers. Even then, your motive is simply to remind the bishop of his duty to protect the people of your parish, never is it to personally pass on detracting information to others. You might put it, in your inquiry to the bishop, that your motive is to stop unfounded gossip by airing truth instead of rumor, and that it is as much in the best interests of all concerned that a reputation be cleared if such ill-natured gossip is going about.

That would be a very good way to put it.

In no way would I pass the gossip along to ANYONE who may know of the priest, or have been in his parish, or anyone else. I hate gossip .

It is not my intention to harm this man’s ministry, or reputation. My concern is, are priests who have questionable backgrounds STILL being passed around?? One would think, since the terrible cover ups of the abuse by clergy during the past 30? years, a Bishop would make such a person’s ministry to anyone very narrow, possibly a very secluded monastery until proof is found either way. Why a transfer to a different parish? This concerns me, but I do not want to point fingers without positive proof. I definitely do not want to ruin this man reputation. Although not in his parish, he seemed a very conservative and orthodox minister to his people.

I wish I had never heard about it. Yuck! If I have furthered doubts in anyone’s mind about the morality of our priests, I apologize. I needed some direction, or otherwise I would not have mentioned it.

Thanks to all of you for your help.