Bishop Gerald M.Barbarito
Diocese of Ogdensburg
604 Washington St.,
Ogdensburg,New York 13669
Your Excellency:
It is with sadness, but determination, that I am forced to write this letter to you. In ten years of writing in defense of our Faith I have never known of an incident where a diocese has displayed such un-Christian-like conduct toward true Catholic defenders as has your diocese toward Michael and Donna ***** and two other women.
Their crime....standing up for the Holy Family and Mary Magdalene. Their adversary....Fr.Richard Sparks, who brought sinful credentials to Ogdensburg; credentials so bad that a diocese statement heard on Channel 7(para- phrased) said that "the people of your diocese can rest assured that Fr.Sparks will not be saying what has been said in other places.! What kind of assurance was that meant to be?; and why were four people(among 25 others) punished for warning you about those very words of his? Four true soldiers of Christ....abandoned by their church leaders!
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything."
These words of G.K.Chesterton were practiced by your four parishioners and, for that, your diocese punished them! I, therefore, had added my voice to others, pointing out the disgraceful messages which Fr.Sparks imparted at previous conferences, in my letter of October 11 to you. Your diocese did not even extend the courtesy of acknowledging my letter. Fr.Lucia even said that I should "not expect an answer in the forseeable future." Why not? Is the value of a soul less important in Ogdensburg,N.Y.? If so, this is not the Faith of our Fathers. What a tragedy....dioceses invite speakers who attack Church morals, doctrine and/or leaders, to conferences across the country while ignoring orthodox Catholic speakers, who are relegated to Knights of Columbus halls and the like, if they wish to be heard.
Hear the words of Fr.Sparks. Are these why he was invited? "I do not know why women's breasts excite me.: "...but I like them. I like them in all sizes and shapes." No Catholic mother would permit her daughter to go to confession(or even be near) to a priest who boasts of this fascination. Nor, for that matter, would she endanger her own purity(or his)! "But I say to you that anyone who so much as looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt.5:28) Your diocese desired Fr.Sparks so ardently that even the carrying of approx.thirty crucifixes was not enough to have this invitation rescinded. For their efforts, the four whom you punished were told that they could no longer bring the gifts to the priest during Masses, nor bring Jesus to the homebound. What a terrible irony. They put Jesus on the tongue or in the hands of others while Fr.Sparks put Him in the back seat of a car, "making out" with Mary Magdalene,. ....and the diocese chose Fr.Sparks. This reminded me of another decision made over 2000 years ago....Barabbas over Christ!
Your Excellency, please right this wrong. Mea Culpa's are not reserved solely for the laity "For there is no respect of persons with God." (Rom.2:11) Donna ****** sad words to me "we have received a life sentence, without even a trial." cry for justice.
Our Holy Father has apologized for(and attempted to correct) past wrongs by the Church. Prayerfully, you will imitate his example.
[Hooo boy do we need reform desperately.]