Category: Letters

December 24, Christmas Eve, 2022  Dear Bishop Dewane,  I wanted to bring to your attention the death of one of your frequent pen pals, Mrs. Mary Jo Maher. Mary Jo wrote to you often, as so many have done, begging for you to exercise mercy and compassion. Except for the occasional letter she would share… Continue reading December 24, Christmas Eve, 2022 

Sanibel church damaged as recovery begins Staff Report Oct 27, 2022 The Diocese of Venice edition of the Florida Catholic has a cover story relating to the impact of Hurricane Ian on St. Isabel Parish in Sanibel, Florida.  Unfortunately, the report contains inaccuracies as an objective contribution to the situation.  The article seems intent on… Continue reading Sanibel church damaged as recovery begins

“I want to be very clear about this: Abuse by churchmen and churchwomen — abuse of authority, abuse of power and sexual abuse – is a monstrosity, because the churchman or churchwoman, whether priest, religious man or woman, or layman or laywoman, is called to serve and to create unity, to make grow, and abuse… Continue reading On Friday, October 28, 2022, it will be exactly six years since the Bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, ruined my life.

COMMEMORATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHER JULY 25, 2022 COMMEMORATION OF ST. CHRISTOPHER As I sit looking out my sixth floor Health Park hospital window today, the commemoration of St. Christopher, I have plenty of time to reminisce about days that I would describe as “better.” Were they days that were perfect? There are no such things!… Continue reading JULY 25, 2022

FROM CHANGE.ORG - JUST A THOUGHT Comparisons can be odious, but I could not help reading the above online appeal through the prism of my own life. I am not suggesting that Tevin Hill is not guilty, although his family feels passionately that he is. Mr. Hill is accused of murdering a friend, an extremely… Continue reading FROM CHANGE.ORG – JUST A THOUGHT

10:15, July 24, 2022 While it was expected, I never thought that I would see the overturning of Roe v. Wade, in spite of how often I have argued for that often during my pro-life life.  There will be ludicrous arguments that suggest the Court is telling women that they are not really citizens, that a… Continue reading 10:15, July 24, 2022

June 19, 1976 Forty-six years ago on June 19, I was ordained a priest with my classmate from the monastery, Fr. John Fortin. It was a day we were looking forward to since our elevation to the transitional diaconate the year before. Our families’ had gathered, and given the distance most had traveled, my family… Continue reading June 19, 1976

When Absolute Power Corrupts Recently the Holy Father, Pope Francis, warned the leaders of a variety of lay-led Church groups that proliferated after the Second Vatican Council that “their mission is to serve, not to wield power or exert control over other.”  It is a message that is not unfamiliar to the pontificate of Francis.  Whether the… Continue reading