Posted on 01/10/2005 7:35:34 AM PST by Drake Tungsten
Backers bid fired priest farewell By J. Craig Anderson, Tribune
Hundreds of Catholics at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Gilbert said goodbye to founding pastor John Cunningham following Mass on Sunday, with many vowing to leave the church in protest of his dismissal.
The parishioners said they are sad and angry about Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted’s decision to remove Cunningham as pastor for reasons outlined in a letter dated Jan. 6 and included in a church newsletter distributed Sunday.
Cunningham was removed because of allegations he mismanaged parish finances, Olmsted wrote.
But, the protesters said no wrongdoing has been proved, and that Olmsted removed Cunningham for ideological reasons.
"(Cunningham) is greatly admired," parishioner Louise Cropper said, "and we think because he is a liberal, Olmsted wants him out."
Fellow parishioner Maggie Hyland went even further, describing Olmsted as someone who makes decisions without regard for fairness or the opinions of others.
"This bishop is antisocial," Hyland said. "He is not fit to manage people."
In his letter, Olmsted wrote that he "conscientiously" followed church policies and requirements with regard to Cunningham’s removal and his "unrelated" suspension in April on accusations he performed a Catholic ritual during a wedding alongside an Anglican priest, which Cunningham denies doing. Olmsted could not be reached Sunday for further comment.
Some parishioners said Olmsted should focus on more serious problems facing the church.
"How can he do this to a person who has not abused children and not committed mortal sins of any kind?" Cropper said.
Cunningham, who attended the Mass as an onlooker, hugged and shook hands with many of the parishioners afterward.
"I was very touched by the support from the parishioners," he said. "I’ll miss them."
It sounds to me, from this short piece, that Fr. had his hands in a little of everything. Even if he had molested someone, these same people would have supported him. It happens everytime.
But even barring that situation, this Priest doesn't sound like a good Catholic, just a people person.
On that qualification alone he could be incardinated in 90% of the Diocese in the country.
It's pretty clear from their comments that Mass is a touchy-feely, social occasion centered around the personality of their pastor and not Jesus Christ. If the former leaves, then it's easy to forget about the latter.
Leave the Church? They already have.
That's good enough reason, by itself.
>> Hundreds of Catholics at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Gilbert said goodbye to founding pastor John Cunningham following Mass on Sunday, with many vowing to leave the church in protest of his dismissal. <<
And where, oh, where is mention of Fr. Cunningham imploring people not to abandon themselves to damnation over his dismissal? If there was a shred of faith in Fr. Cunningham, he would be absolutely horrified that his flock would leave the church in protest of his treatment!
Gee, we've kind of lowered the bar for the clergy, haven't we?
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