The stuff is hitting the fan here in Arlington. Silenced priest warns of gay crisis - Washtimes
I can't believe I missed this story earlier today. Fr. James Haley has dropped another bomb in the media, as if the covers of gay porno mags on the evening news three years ago wasn't enough, he says now that based on his experience in the Diocese 60% of the presbyterate is gay. What the heck?
Here's my take: Reverend Haley didn't get what he wanted from Bishop Loverde when he came forward with evidence of priestly wrongdoing, so he went to the media. Haley hasn't gotting a ruling on the proceedings held to determine if he will be laicized, so he is going to the media again. The truth of the original allegations in no way justifies him going to the media with the evidence he presented to Bishop Loverde. Not only did he disobey Bishop Loverde, he scandalized the Diocese in the worst way possible. He's doing it again.
What charge against him would be the basis for a laicization?
Haley's figure is probably inaccurate. For what it's worth, I've had consistently happy experiences with Masses and priests in the Arlington diocese. If there are gay-friendly homosexual priests, there are probably far less than he asserts.
But the figure isn't the key issue. Haley is a priest who uncovered in-fact corruption that wasn't being dealt with appropriately (e.g. the Verecchia case) and got punished for it.
It's quite fair that many wonder why Haley has gotten worse treatment than priests who committed grave scandal--such as running off with a parishoner's wife! At the very least, Loverde's treatment of Haley creates the impression that the chancery cares more about appearances than insisting upon holiness from their priests. There is no disrespect in pointing out this fact.
It's also not insignificant that Fr. James Gould sticks up for Fr. Haley in the same article. Fr. Gould is a man of great holiness and integrity, and his word is not to be taken lightly.
As a former Arlingtoner myself, I do think the numbers are exaggerated BUT.. I also am starting to think that Bishop Loverde perhaps is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
From what I understand, Fr Haley has been treated very unfairly, he is a rock solid priest. Fr Gould, among other priests I know are standing behind Fr Haley.
I have no idea if Father Haley is being treated fairly or unfairly. But I am quite certain that he is willing to use the media to embarrass his bishop and the diocese, and for that he deserves our skepticism.
I second that. It appears this fight is being fought in the wrong places and that makes us all losers.
As I've said elsewhere, this is more complicated than a good guy/bad guy scenario. You can complain all you want about Haley being wrong for going to the press. But his defenders will tell you he was also punished for answering a court summons. If that's true, he was going to get nailed anyway. So here you've got a guy who probably thinks he's got little left to lose, and who has seen (as we all have), that public exposure is the only thing that ever got the attention of most bishops in a time of great scandal.
For those who live in Arlington, a kind word from Father Gould is an indication of how many priests feel about the situation themselves. Arlington has many good priests, and is a model of vocations for the country. On the other hand, the diocese also has a few little accidents waiting to happen. This is only one of them. There are more. Stay tuned...
His assertion that 60% of Arlington's priests are homosexual is so ludicrous on its face as to call into question Fr. Haley's credibility on any other issue.
I live in the Arlington diocese. I don't know if 60% is correct (it could be worse for all we know) but I do know that I've seen enough in this diocese to make me go into DC to go to Mass.
"I live in the Arlington diocese. I don't know if 60% is correct (it could be worse for all we know) but I do know that I've seen enough in this diocese to make me go into DC to go to Mass."
Really? The folks I know who go to DC for Mass -- Holy Trinity in Georgetown is a favorite refuge -- do so because Arlington is "too conservative." If I'm not mistaken, the pastor at Holy Trinity, who was featured in the book "Catholics in Crisis," was a homosexual who left the priesthood around the time the book was published.
The behavior of both men is highly questionable. I've read Haley's deposition. It is crystal clear that he is volunteering information under the cover of a legal obligation to testify. It is inconceivable that Haley would ever have been deposed if he had been discrete.
On the other hand Loverde clearly has no interest in knowing of and dealing with the misconduct of his priests.
The backdrop for this sad tale is the deep corruption of the priesthood in America. For every priest caught buggering altar boys, there are ten priests teaching heresy, abusing the liturgy, and/or living a life that contradicts their vows. It would be surprising if this were not the case given the disastrous condition of the seminaries in the decades following V2.
"I've read Haley's deposition. It is crystal clear that he is volunteering information under the cover of a legal obligation to testify. It is inconceivable that Haley would ever have been deposed if he had been discrete."
What he said. You can read the dep at the Roman Catholic Faithful website, and it's obvious Haley didn't just answer the questions put to him, but simply used counsel's questions as the occasion to launch a free-wheeling diatribe about Everything That's Wrong with the Diocese of Arlington. I was especially troubled by his casual and unsupported accusations that particular priests he named were homosexuals--including the priest who baptised my oldest son and the rector of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.