Free Republic

Following the ousting of former Merced pastor, Jean Michael Lastiri of St. Patrick's Church, for posting on the internet alleged solicitations for homosexual sex in various parts of the world, parishioners are asking the question: who has been paying for his travel expenditures? The search for the answer to that question led to further questions about parish finances and the lack of parish financial accountability. In the June 11 St. Patrick's bulletin, Father Lastiri stated, "we want to be as transparent as possible.... We are at YOUR service, as stewards of your money and resources." But is St. Patrick's as...

Father Joe Baca's path to ordination was difficult. Three times a seminarian at St. John's in Camarillo, Baca was three times shown the door for his "rigidness." Finally, Father Baca was accepted into the diocese of Fresno by Bishop John Steinbock and ordained on December 1, 2001 after completing his seminary training in Wisconsin. Father Baca's problems didn't end with his ordination. After starting at St. Patrick's parish in Merced, he was sent to Sacred Heart parish in Fresno on December 13, 2001, filling in for a pastor who had died suddenly. On March 1, 2002, he was sent to...