Gay priests of Diocese A-J in revolt; demand Bishop conceal molesters, sue Catholic activists

Written press release mailed to diocesan bishop, priests, media outlets of Diocese of Altoona-Johnst | 5/15/03 | Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown

[Polycarp]

[bold emphasis in original document]

Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown

Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:

Whereas the rights and dignity of priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown are threatened by forces both external to the community of believers and internally by our bishop and his staff.

Whereas, in response to this threat, the Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown was secretly formed by 26 clrgy of this Diocese to demand the rights and dignity of all priests be respected and protected by our bishop.

Therefore, we, the Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown, joined with our fellow clergy, ask the following from our bishop:

Whereas our bishop insists on publicly defending lawsuits against this diocese and thus increasing the threat that more names of our priests be exposed in the media, we demand that our bishop cease and desist his public defense of any and all lawsuits concerning alleged priestly misconduct and instead settle these cases out of court so as to protect the reputation and well being of those priests so named and others that may be revealed in the course of any trial.

Whereas our bishop threatens and harasses homosexual priests into fearing for their office, we demand that our bishop cease and desist any and all harassment of homosexual clergy and instead work to protect the reputation and well being of clergy of all sexual orientations.

Whereas our bishop placates those who attack our diocese and its priests, we demand that our bishop turn the attention of his legal representation towards stopping the hateful and homophobic actions of George Foster, Brian Barcaro, Dr. Brian Kopp [FReeper "Polycarp"], et. al., who are set upon destroying the reputations of homosexuals priests and this diocese.

Whereas our bishop ignores the actions of certain priests who consistently act against the unity of this diocese, we demand our bishop suspend Fr. James Foster and Fr. John Nesbella immediately, for repeated and constant acts which threaten the unity of our community of faith.

Whereas our bishop removed Dr. David Brown [of "GoodBye, Good Men" book fame] from his position as intake psychologist and from candidacy for the permanent diaconate program due to the incessant demands of several Talibanic conservative clergy and laity, we demand our bishop reinstate Dr. Brown both to his position as intake psychologist and to the permanent dioconate program.

Whereas our bishop has ordained several men to the priesthood over the last several year who are unfit to serve the modern, post-concilular (sic) church, we demand our bishop conduct a complete review and overhaul of the priestly recruitment program:

I. Review the psychological reports of the men ordained since 1995 and order to counseling all those who are deemed to have serious mental deficiencies or proven inability to serve in the church of Vatican II.

II. Cease and desist sending seminarians to the present rigid seminaries used by our diocese and begin to use more pastoral seminaries for formation.

III. Deny orders to the present candidate for ordination to the priesthood because of a very negative psychological report and his inability to serve the present day church.

IV. Examine all present and future seminarians in greater psychological depth to determine their fitness and desire to serve the modern church.

We believe that it is better to have fewer clergy and more lay involvement than to have many rigid and juridical priests who drive women and men away from the community of believers.

Whereas the present staff our (sic) diocesan finance office (Larry Sutton, et. al.) shows no respect for our clergy and little if any knowledge of the day to day life of our clergy and our parishes, we demand that our bishop retrain or replace the staff of the finance office so as to respect the dignity of our clergy and their office.

Whereas our chancery shows little care or concern for our retired priests at Dimitri Manor or elsewhere, we demand that our bishop review and overhaul the priests retirement program so as to provide them with the comfortable retirement due to them after many years of thankless service:

I. Immediately increase the present monthly retirement benefit payment to $1,500.00.

II. Fully fund all future retirement needs 20 years into the future in a pension trust fund so as to guarantee monthly payments regardless of the future financial state of the diocese.

III. Separate all retirement monies from diocesan funds so as to protect them from being taken in lawsuits.

IV. Immediately form a committee to examine the deplorable living conditions at the Dimitri Manor priests retirement home.

Whereas the compensation of our priests under the present formula is inherently unjust as priests whose workload is heavy due to parish size are paid the same as priests in small parishes, we demand that our bishop install a new payscale to reflect a more appropriate and just salary based on workload and parish size.

We believe this list of demands is the same list Jesus himself would ask for if he were a priest of this diocese.

If our requests are not met, we ask our fellow clergy to prayerfully consider ways of peaceful protest. Ech should follow his or her conscience in discerning ways to show civil disobedience to our hierarchy until our voice of change is heard.

Sincerely in Christ,

Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown

N.B.: The PFAJ is a group of priests of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown united in a pursuit of justice and sworn to complete secrecy to avert the very real threat of retaliation by our diocesan bishop.

CC:
Brother Priests & Deacons
Concerned Laity
National Catholic Reporter
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
Altoona Mirror
Centre Daily Times
WTAJ TV
WJAC TV
WWCP TV
WRTA Radio
WNTJ Radio
WRSC Radio

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

If a bishop is a successor to the apostles, then the apostles were bishops. If A = B then B = A. Simple logic.

[Aliska]

It sounds like word play. Apostles were higher than bishops and referred to as apostles. Bishops were called bishops.

But I guess it doesn't matter because St. Peter lost his hand and keys in March.

[DaBroasta]

Whereas our bishop threatens and harasses homosexual priests into fearing for their office...

If these "priests" believe it's okay to--pardon the expression--pack fudge on duty--I don't think they should spend to much time worrying about the bishop. Because it's that guy with horns and tail that they'll be serving in the next life who's the real ba$tard to work for. I'm sure he's got a nice hotspot picked out for them right next to the pro-choice Catholics.

[Polycarp]

Is there any doubt that Adamec is behind this?

Honestly, yes there is.

Adamec is universally disliked here by both conservatives as well as liberals. The liberal we suspect organized this has a history of discord with Adamec.

The Vatican is well appraised regarding Adamec. This revolt on the left may be the last nail which proves to the Vatican that Adamec can no longer lead among the complete anarchy of his rank and file priests.

Lets hope so. I think that is the number one component that has lead to the other early retirements aroiund this country.

As I type, the 11:00 news is reporting on this story about the "Priest Federation" and its demands. The newsanchor pointed out that the letter they received was unsigned, and that Bishop Adamec's office refused to comment on anonymous letters.

[Antoninus]

I thought Bishop Adamec was backing these fairies every step of the way! Why have they turned on him?

What do you want to bet the good Bishop had a hand in drafting this letter. Why? To make it look like there's pressure on him to act against those evil "talibanesque" persecutors of noble sodomite priests. Effectively puts him above the fray and makes him look like the cure when, in all likelihood, he's right smack in the middle of the infection.

[Polycarp]

but there are also times when this term is fair and accurately applies to a person's attitude toward gays.

There are some people who genuinely are homophobes.

The label is consistently applied to those opposed to the homo agenda simply for opposing the homo agenda on religious grounds.

For every 1000 times it is thrown about, its only true about once, if that.

Homophobe is a useless, demeaning, and insulting term that should be mocked and derided out of the popular lexicon, just as "faggot" has been, and it is rarely if ever used in any sense that is remotely appropriate.

[Antoninus]

Thank you. Keep those prayers coming. I have a wife and three young ones, I need God's protection for them when I'm not with them. One cannot underestimate the vileness and wickedness and violence of the homosexual activist juggernaut.

No kidding. Prayers, the 2nd Amendment, and a concealed 9mm will generally do the trick. (There is concealed carry in PA, right?)

[Polycarp]

a concealed 9mm will generally do the trick.

Yes, there is concealed carry in PA. But never bring anything to a gun fight that doesn't start with at least a ".4"

I prefer my 1911 style compact .45. With laser grips. Ain't she sweet?

[Antoninus]

I suspect that even as educated as you are on the subject you still don't know the half of it. Even Paul knew when to fight and when to move on.

With all due respect, the Catholic Church is larger than all Protestant denominations combined. We often do seek out other churches when our parish church degenerates. That's the advantage of being part of a massive ecclesial edifice.

You also make a grave mistake by ascribing the sins of even a large number of priests to the entire Church. All churches that are composed of sinful men will suffer scandal at one point or another. It's an easy thing to up and leave when things aren't to your liking. It's much more difficult to stick around, seek reform, and suffer persecution rather than leave. That is a cardinal difference between Catholics and Protestants.

[paulklenk]

Amen!

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Luke 12:4-5 [NIV]

[Jorge]

The label is consistently applied to those opposed to the homo agenda simply for opposing the homo agenda on religious grounds.

For every 1000 times it is thrown about, its only true about once, if that.

You're just saying this because of the 1000s of times you've been called a homophobe. LOL.

Believe me..I've been called a homphobe by many for my religious beliefs on the immorality of homosexuality...and I've been called a homo-apologist(by you and others)because I don't buy all the propaganda put out by the anti-gay forces either.

There are some definitely radically homophobic messages posted in some of these threads...and the fact that you don't take exception to them, but even seem to apologize for them, makes me believe you are probably sympathetic to them.

Not to mention your *ALL gays are pedofiles* threads.
How many people do you think you're winning to your side with these kinds of positions?

[Polycarp]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[cherry]

I am just floored by this....

change, its a comin'...

[Antoninus]

I prefer my 1911 style compact .45. With laser grips. Ain't she sweet?

I've fired one like that (without the laser site, of course). Big noise, big kick. Nice!

[Polycarp]

I finally took it to the range last week for the first time with the laser grips. The Crimson Trace Laser Grips were just awesome! I even shot well with my left hand, which I never tried before. Well worth the investment. (Don't worry, if the batteries fail, I have Tritium sites ;-)

[Jorge]

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Who is trying to kill you?

[Polycarp]

Who is trying to kill you?

Several of the homosexual priest molesters here died of AIDS.

'Nuff said.

[George W. Bush]

Nice work, Polycarp.

You know it's starting to hurt when they're ripping you by name and mentioning your FReeper handle. No doubt, these sodomite priests are monitoring everything you write here at FR.

Well, at least if they're stalking you via Internet, they have fewer waking hours to stalk young boys around the confessional.

I think your forceful writing on organized sodomites, both inside and outside the Christian pale, is starting to hit home. I know a number of FReepers admire your writing style, your concise assembly of facts, and your efforts to turn always in your commentary from the deplorable 'modern' situation back toward Christian orthodoxy. And these sodomite priests know how effective your writing and the work of your local allies is. These people never like to be exposed for what they are, feeling that it is unfair to expose how they are burrowing into orthodox intitutions to undermine the moral traditions of orthodox Christianity.

Consider starting a ping list just for your local activism and its web extensions. I'd like to be on it if you do. This is what FR is all about. Our finest moments are when some FReeper takes the lead in a good local fight. Sure, the impeachment and Battle For Floriduh are the big items but it's this kind of FReeper activism that makes this place a live joint on a day-to-day basis. Keep it up.

[George W. Bush]

They're gonna crap when we pop the lid on their "secret" group.

Dang! Ping me when you get the goods on them. Let's have a megathread based on your reporting.

[mercy]

Bump to that. Polycarp and Jackalope Breeder are the best.