Murdered Catholic Priest Knew Too Much?

Catholic Online ^ | March 3, 2004 | Matt Abbott

[NYer]

The Rev. Alfred J. Kunz was a priest known and consulted by many in the Catholic Church. He was a canon lawyer, meaning he had thorough expertise in the laws of the Church -the Code of Canon Law, as it is known. He also was a staunch defender of orthodoxy, not much liked by Catholic liberals (at least, those who actually knew of him), and a thorn in the side to those who desire to see authentic Christianity wiped off the face of the earth.

In March of 1998, Fr. Kunz was found murdered. Brutally murdered. And his murder remains unsolved. For a little background of the case, I give you the following text, provided by Detective Kevin Hughes of the Dane County Sheriff's Office:

"On March 4, 1998, at 7:00 a.m., the body of Fr. Alfred J. Kunz, DOB 4/15/30, was found in the hallway of St. Michael School. The school is in the Village of Dane, population approximately 600, located in rural Dane County 5 miles northwest of Madison, Wis., the state capital.

"Fr. Kunz was the victim of a homicide. His throat was cut with an edged weapon severing the carotid artery. He died as a result of blood loss. The body was discovered by a teacher arriving at the school and was found lying in the hallway near the door to the father's living quarters in the school. All the doors to the school were locked and there was no sign of forced entry.

"Fr. Kunz was a traditional Roman Catholic priest, who had served at St. Michael Church for 32 years. He had strong traditional orthodox Roman Catholic views that were evidenced by the fact that he conducted Latin Masses as well as English Masses. He was an expert in canon law, the law of the Church, and as such many people nationwide consulted with him.

"On the night prior to the homicide, Fr. Kunz participated in the taping of a religious radio talk program, which was to be aired at a later date. After the taping, at 10:00 p.m., he was dropped off at St. Michael Church/school by another priest. Subsequent to that, at about 10:30 p.m., he had a phone conversation with another priest.

"Investigators believe the killer is someone that Fr. Kunz knew and is familiar with the village and St. Michael's. Fr. Kunz was probably not fearful of the killer. The attack was cowardly, unprovoked, and unexpected. The particular motive is unknown but may be related to jealousy, revenge, betrayal, or any other issue which was personal to the killer...."

There are, of course, at least a few theories about who, or what, might have been behind Kunz's murder. The prominent theory is that Kunz was killed because he "knew too much." About what? About the sexual misconduct of some men of the cloth. Men who were able to cover up their misdeeds for years, even decades. Men who formed the underbelly of the American church.

A significant aspect of that underbelly is the homosexual network, a network that has existed for a long time but is seldom if ever discussed in politically correct circles. Actively homosexual priests who seek to destroy the Church from within. This is the homosexual network. "Never underestimate the power of this network," Kunz reportedly once told a close associate.

Kunz was an advisor to the Illinois-based Roman Catholic Faithful (RCF), headed by lay Catholic activist Stephen Brady. RCF investigated the misdeeds of the now-former bishop of Springfield, Ill., Daniel Ryan. (For more information about RCF's work, visit www.rcf.org.)

The police are, understandably, very tight-lipped about the status of their investigation into the Kunz homicide. But, to my knowledge, the investigation continues. In fact, press reports have stated that the police have interviewed over 2,000 people during the course of their ongoing investigation.

So if and when the case is finally solved, we'll know for sure. We'll know the full story. But, until then, all we have is speculation. Educated speculation, that is. And, I would submit, a little educated speculation - coupled with a lot of prayer - can go a long way.

[Siobhan]

And let's be frank. Some of them are satanists. Some are communists. Some serve other secret societies. Many groups spent the entire 20th century trying to infiltrate the Church and making alliances even with their own enemies in order to defeat the greater enemy, Holy Mother Church. The smoke of satan entered the Church alright, and one of the places it took up residence was in Chicago, and another was Los Angeles, and then there was Albany.....

[ninenot]

Yeah--at least I THINK I do. He and Fr. Fiore worked a radio show which was largely catachetical/apologetics.

Produced by a guy in south-central Wisconsin (Monroe, I think) who's an acquaintance of BlackElk.

IIRC, there's not much on the radio tapes that's in the LEAST bit controversial or exceptional, and certainly not directly germane to this event.

[ninenot]

Same network confirmed by Malachi Martin/Windswept.

[ninenot]

love affair with a priest was publicized

Technical correction: the lover was an individual who wished to become a seminarian. The guy is also a grifter of the first water--the 'hush money' was the final straw.

[undirish01]

Stephen Brady needs a theme or cacthphrase for his website:

"You touch-a our faith, we'll break-a your legs!"

[ninenot]

Weakland was a problem, alright...but the Vatican's lack of "fire the SOB" sentiments has to do with a significant difference.

In most of the cases we've heard of, Bishops are alleged to be sinning against the 6th Commandment--or covering for those who do.

The Vatican will not fire someone for un-proven allegations of sexual sin, particularly if they do not cause grave scandal (and most of the allegations have not.)

The Vatican will not fire someone for following "professional advice" that the perp is cured, or should be placed 'out of contact' with children, whatever.

But the Vatican WILL fire someone for misappropriating funds, as in the case of Weakland. In that case, it was admitted (thus proven) that he had used $450K of Archdiocesan money to cover his own butt for an indiscretion. That's a big deal...

[ninenot]

The Church really should have its own criminal investigation unit at this point.

Don't underestimate the Swiss Guard. Not all of them wear funny suits and carry halberds, you know.

Tom Clancy has a LOT of respect for that outfit.

But it is true that they don't have 200 people 'on the ground' in the USA, permanently.

[ultima ratio]

I believe he was an ordained priest.

[ultima ratio]

The charges against Weakland needed no proof. The Vatican only had to enforce its own retirement rule and accept his resignation at age 75. Instead it refused to take action and left him in place until the scandal broke. The same with Cardinal Law. He ought to have been removed, not for personal corruption, but for ineptitude. Instead his offer of resignation was rejected. Later, after the scandal intensified, it was accepted. The Vatican is never biased on the side of the faithful, always on the side of the prelates.

[ultima ratio]

While we're getting paranoid, let's not forget the sudden demise of JPI. That too was strange.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

But the Vatican WILL fire someone for misappropriating funds, as in the case of Weakland. In that case, it was admitted (thus proven) that he had used $450K of Archdiocesan money to cover his own butt for an indiscretion. That's a big deal... 46 posted on 03/04/2004 9:54:49 AM PST by ninenot

Sodomy, Dissent, Bribery, Corruption, and Wreckovation - the dark underbelly of the radical neo-modernism gutting the Church.

[saradippity]

You have identified another act of Divine Providence. Had Weakland been removed prior to the information from his paramour,he would have gone with great glory and greater press.

And those of us who knew what he represented would have looked like the nasty,bitter,ugly,jealous losers they try to convince the world that we are,as we tried to get our true story to the public.

The way it happened increased our credibility and diminished his.God works in mysterious ways. Thank God.

[ninenot]

Look it up in www.jsonline.com archives yourself.

The grifter was NOT an ordained priest--not even a seminarian.

[Antoninus]

Sodomy, Dissent, Bribery, Corruption, and Wreckovation - the dark underbelly of the radical neo-modernism gutting the Church.



And let's not forget groteque hubris....

Archbishop Weakland, whose humility is an inspiration to us all, is featured in this bronze sculpture along with Cathedral rector Fr. Carl Last and St. John the Evangelist.

[ultima ratio]

You're right, he's not a priest. He went to see Weakland twenty years ago because he wanted to study for the priesthood. My mistake, I confused this case with another.

[ultima ratio]

That may be, but the Church at large needed another scandal like a hole in the head.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Why is any of this disgusting crap happening in our church?

And in other churches.

It's happening because in the 21st century, homosexuality trumps religion, morality, common sense, safety and God.

In the short run, anyway.

In the long run, they are all damned.

[HarleyD]

This is so sad but as I was reading the article it sounded like a movie. I couldn't help thinking they'll need to make it look as though the RCC and the intolerant conservative priest was the cause of his death.

[johnb2004]

The Vatican will not fire someone for un-proven allegations of sexual sin, particularly if they do not cause grave scandal (and most of the allegations have not.)

Are you serious? There are so much grave scandals today that I can't count them.

[ninenot]

Well, you've hit on the hard part of the formula. It is quite clear that ALLEGATIONS are not sufficient--on that we can both agree. It's also clear that the excuse: "I did what the shrinks said was best!" is sufficient--that is, the Bishop will not be removed for this. So what's a GRAVE scandal? I don't know. Pictures on the front page, maybe, with a cleric in flagrante delicto.