Posted on 01/08/2008 1:55:50 PM PST by NYer
PHOENIX, Arizona (LifeSiteNews) - Despite warnings and requests from the Diocese of Phoenix, a suspended priest who faces criminal sex abuse charges has been leading prayer services attended by his personal devotees.
Monsignor Dale Fushek, who faces multiple sex-related misdemeanor charges, holds non-denominational prayer services at the Mesa Convention Center. The diocese has requested that Catholics not attend the services, because of the scandal caused by them.
"We're actually encouraging Catholics to refrain from attending We would hope that they don't," said Jim Dwyer, a spokesman for the diocese. "I think most leaders in the church would say your devotion should be to Christ, not an individual leader."
The Diocese considers Fushek a disobedient priest on administrative leave, while Fushek said after the December service that he resigned from the church in November.
"It's not that simple," Dwyer said. "This is not a job. It's a vocation. It's a way of life."
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted eventually will decide whether to initiate church proceedings against Fushek that could strip him of his priesthood, with the ultimate decision made by the Vatican.
Bishop Olmsted is well-known for his courageous stance against homosexuality and its proponents in the priesthood. He suspended a priest for refusing to remove his name from a document from clergy in favor of homosexuality.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
Fushek was removed from his role as a pastor in 2004, and was placed on administrative leave following the accusations. He resigned from his position as pastor in 2005. He was arrested in 2006, and faces one count of assault, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and one count of indecent exposure for allegedly engaging in sexual discussions during teen confession and exposing himself in a hot tub.
unbelieveable.....
He was also a co-founder of Life Teen
He was co-founder of Life Teen as has been pointed out, and despite pushing many of the liturgical oddities which have become commonplace, he was, generally speaking, obedient to the Church and Church teaching. That is, outspoken pro life, pro John Paul II, pro Marian, etc. There were some positive aspects to what he did with youth. Many orthodox vocations (male and female) came to the Church through his efforts.
In the mid-80's, he and another priest from Phoenix went to Medjugorje and did a "report" film for EWTN. Clearly, they believed the claims of Mary appearing there before they went. They never interviewed the Bishop of Mostar for the film - an unacceptable neglect for both them and EWTN!
Concerning the allegations against him, I believe that he probably has a homosexual orientation problem that he has been fighting all his life. I don't believe that it has ever led to outright molestation of minors, or even adults - otherwise it would have been all over the news as of a couple of years ago in Phoenix. No one has come forward with this type of explicit allegation. I also base this observation on the statements I have read from the accusers. I would note that the charges against him do not address the seriousness of outright sexual molestation. They are legally misdemeanors. I write this to give balance to what usually follows in these types of threads. It is now coming down to this Priest drifting away from mother Church and placing his eternal salvation - and the others who follow him - into the abyss. Clearly, this man needs prayers!
Finally, I would note that he was the chancellor under the previous Bishop - 2nd in charge. Much talk of him maybe becoming a Bishop himself. God works in strange ways. I have to be very thankful that that never occurred and probably never will.
Thank God for Bishop Thomas Olmsted in the Diocese of Phoenix! May he receive a red hat in Phoenix and never leave!
That was a very clear and accurate exposition (pardon the pun!) of the situation. You write as one who is familiar with the diocese. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we have crossed paths at one time or another-Right-to-Life march, Marian conference, etc.
Mrs. Chandler and I had always been taken aback by the personality cult surrounding Father Dale. His photo was in a Dobson High School annual; there were Fr. Dale coloring books in the St. Tim’s gift shop; many people fawned over him excessively. It was too over-the-top.
The few times we associated with Fr. Dale, I sensed power in the man. Mrs. Chandler sensed evil.
We will pray for him. Unfortunately, arrogance is born of pride, and prideful men are loathe to repent.
Or may he receive a red hat in Los Angeles, and the rector become bishop of Phoenix!
I wonder if there would be any interest in creating an annual “Whited Sepulchre” award for worst cleric. It might catch on like the Darwin Awards or that worst Hemmingway immitation contest.
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