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Phoenix, Ariz., Apr 2, 2011 / 07:32 am (CNA).- A onetime supporter of the excommunicated and laicized priest Dale Fushek says that his former pastor's new memoir doesn't tell the real story of the man he knew – who began as a “faithful” and “holy” priest, but was led astray by a sense of self-importance. Fushek has accused Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix of wishing for his death and forcing him out of the Church because of a personal grudge. In his new memoir “The Unexpected Life,” he defends his decision to found a non-Catholic “worship center,” which caused...

Monsignor Dale Fushek, founder of LifeTeen Phoenix, Dec 16, 2008 / 07:23 pm (CNA).- Bishop of Phoenix Thomas J. Olmsted has issued a decree of excommunication to Monsignor Dale Fushek, founder of LifeTeen, and Father Mark Dippre for their establishment of and leadership in an "opposing ecclesial community."Fushek, one of three founders of LifeTeen, has not been active in the youth ministry for four years.The priests had served together in the 1990s at St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa, Arizona, the East Valley Tribune reports. A year ago, they founded the non-denominational Praise and Worship Center, which meets Sundays at...

. Dale Fushek, the former pastor of Mesa's St. Timothy's Catholic Community who was indicted on sexually related misdemeanor charges in November 2005, was back before a congregation Thursday for the first time in three years. Although he sent out no invitations, instead letting supporters spread news of his return, more than 550 people attended the first service of the nondenominational Praise and Worship Center at the downtown Mesa Marriott hotel. Mesa resident Elizabeth Culverson trembled with tears while she lingered in line to hug Fushek after the service. She said she had waited a long time to hear him...

By 2003, Monsignor Dale Fushek’s star was rising so fast, the Tribune named the Mesa priest one of the "10 People to Watch" in the coming years. It may have been prophetic. The pastor of the dynamic St. Timothy’s Catholic Community was preaching to 8,000 a weekend. He had just gained the coveted monsignor title and had been been advanced to vicar-general for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. He oversaw construction of the stately Diocesan Pastoral Center. He co-founded the international Catholic youth program, Life Teen, and launched the highly respected Paz de Cristo homeless kitchen and ministry in...

LifeTeen founder arrested Phoenix, Nov. 21 (CWNews.com) - Msgr. Dale Fushek, the fouder of the popular LifeTeen youth program, was arrested today in Mesa, the Arizona Republic has reported. He will face several charges of assault, indecent exposure, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Msgr. Fushek, who was the vicar general of the Phoenix diocese under Bishop Thomas O'Brien, was replaced in that role in 2003, after Bishop O'Brien resigned and was replaced by Bishop Thomas Olmstead. Fushek was suspended from active ministry in December of last year after he was accused of involvement in the sexual abuse...

Life Teen Liturgy Experiences Changes By Claudia I. Provencio The Catholic Sun MESA — In “joyful obedience” to the Church, Life Teen officials say they will cease the ministry’s longtime trademark of gathering teens arm-in-arm around the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer. The practice that has been a staple at Life Teen Masses nationwide for nearly two decades will cease Oct. 1 in compliance with the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal. The youth ministry will also refrain from using the phrase, “The Mass never ends, it must be lived” at the conclusion of the liturgy. In a recent...

Have the Teen Masses in Your Parish Devolved Into Abominable Shrieking, Howling, Rocking and Rolling? Pass This Along To Your Teen Mass Coordinators, and Tell Them To "Grow UP" 12/18/2003 9:24:00 PM By Karl Maurer - CCI News CCI NOTES: We get lots of letters at CCI, and a surprising number are from parents who have gotten up and walked out of so-called Teen Masses. I'd normally quote them, but all the letters are the same. The barely recognizable "Mass" is overwhelmed by bad music, usually rock, always loud, and lacking just about all dignity and reverance. Below are three...

TEEN Question: God calls us to love everyone. Should we love the devil? Father J's Answer: Short answer... Yes! Longer answer... it's still Yes, but a few Scripture passages that might be helpful to pray about. “My command to you is: Love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are children of your heavenly Father, for His son rises on the bad and the good, he reigns on the just and the unjust” (The Gospel of Matthew 5:44-45). And then there is, “Love your enemy and do good. Lend without expecting repayments. Then your recompense will...

Valley's top monsignor avoided sexual-harassment suit Richard Nilsen/The Arizona Republic Monsignor Dale Fushek says that he did nothing wrong and that the payment was done simply to avoid the greater costs of fighting a lawsuit. By Nena Baker, Kelly Ettenborough and Joseph A. ReavesThe Arizona RepublicMay 31, 2002 12:00:00 The Diocese of Phoenix quietly paid $45,000 to settle a sexual-harassment claim in 1995 against one of its most prominent priests, who has since been promoted to second-in-command in the diocese to Bishop Thomas O'Brien. Monsignor Dale Fushek, pastor of St. Timothy Catholic Community in Mesa and the founder of Life...