In yesterday’s Holy Thursday Mass, Cardinal Rigali urged Church members to support priests during this time of scandal. Catholics4Change will do just that by throwing their support behind Msgr. John T. Conway, pastor of Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish.
We invite all Catholics who applaud Msgr. Conway’s very direct letter to Cardinal Rigali, to attend Mass at his parish Sunday, May 1 at 10:45 a.m.
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer is located at 1325 Upper State Road in North Wales, Pa. 19454
Filling his pews to capacity will send a very positive and uplifting message to other members of the clergy. We will support the priests who answer to Jesus first. We will support priests who protect all of God’s children. Please pass this invite to all your Catholic friends and family.
Please read related Articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
I’ll be there with my family
Excellent idea! I think if holy priests know we support them they would not be as fearful to ask for changes that will create more safe environments and healing . Jesus did not stay in a church and pray all day he went out to meet the people, encourage them, save them………Archbishop Rigali where are you? We need you……..
50 people with protest signs in front of Rigali’s church would say a lot more, and get a lot more media attention than 50 people going to another church instead.
50 people who stand up during the collection, and refusing to donate, would make everyone ask.
50 people telling everyone at Rigali’s church that you want answers and action from the top would do a lot more than shifting a few people around from parish to parish.
God’s children deserve more.
The people of the Church must rise up to let the hierarchy know that true change is coming. Perhaps attending the celebration of the Mass in the parish church of a pastor who is willing work toward ending the culture of secrecy that has plagued the Church for hundreds of years is a very good start.
I’ll be there Easter Sunday in mind, heart and spirit, but my body is in Northern NY.
Been watching Catholics4Change since it was instituted. So very proud of your leadership and everyone’s efforts.
Doing everything I can in my neck of the woods…
Thank you.
Great idea! My family will attend.
This suggestion is a no-brainer. And, “we the people” need to be there in support of a courageous priest, Msgr. John Conway.
Keep in mind that the People of God will have access to the TRUTH only when the records, files, correspondence etc., having to do with anyone named in the PGJ Reports on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and/or the close to thirty priests who were recently removed from ministry are forced into the public venue.
That includes the different boards for vicariates when known sexual predators are discussed like Sicoli.
That will happen only in “discovery” in a criminal or civil trial or by judicial order.
Remember that Boston Superior Court Judge Constance Sweeney, an exemplary product of at least sixteen years of catholic school education ordered the release of all records and files on credibly accused sexually abusive priests in Boston early on while pastors in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia were being told not to worry because the church in Philadelphia has no such problem.
If the Philadelphia District Attorney or the judge would order the immediate release or seizure of all records as well as releasing the entire transcripts of the PGJ Reports in the interests of public safety it would be a good beginning.
Of course, instead of facing the possibility of over twenty years in jail, Msgr. William Lynn could plead guilty, tell the truth about the policies for transferring, hiding and protecting known sexual predators. Of course, there is the possibility that the Archdiocese would not continue to pay for his defense lawyers if he pleaded guilty and threw himself on the mercy of the court.
I agree with Patrick O’Malley when he says,
“50 people with protest signs in front of Rigali’s church would say a lot more, and get a lot more media attention than 50 people going to another church instead.
50 people who stand up during the collection, and refusing to donate, would make everyone ask.
50 people telling everyone at Rigali’s church that you want answers and action from the top would do a lot more than shifting a few people around from parish to parish.
God’s children deserve more.”
As far as Msgr. John T. Conway, pastor of Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish is concerned, it would be refreshingly different to have someone, anyone with a little seniority in the archdiocese speak the truth today.
Keep in mind that Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua did not tell the truth on April 26, 2002 on his return to Philadelphia from the U.S. cardinals trip to the woodshed at the Vatican.
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua was quoted on a CNN “Newsnight” report covering some of the cardinals who returned from Rome and attended the annual Catholic University fundraiser in Philadelphia on April 26, 2002.
He answered a reporter’s question by saying, “We all are agreed that no priest guilty of even one act of sexual abuse of a minor will function in any ecclesial ministry or any capacity in our diocese.”
Nor did Bevilacqua tell the truth when Fr. Mac, Bob McLaughlin, who passed away last May, asked about the Philly archdiocese in comparison to Boston. He was assured that the AOP had no such similarity. Fr. Mac was then pastor of St. Basil the Great in Kimberton, PA. and the priest of the often told “permit to carry” story.
I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Mac just once when another sister and I went to his parish to preach for the Mission Appeal. He was a lovely gentleman. May he rest in peace.
No, it will be awhile until the Truth is known and it will be known by way of the paper trail, the money trail and the criminal and civil trials.
Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
Victims’ Advocate
maturlishmdsnd@yahoo.com
I don’t understand why Sister Maureen and Patrick O’Malley would discourage us in our attempt to support a good priest.
RCS, I think you need to read my post again.
“As far as Msgr. John T. Conway, pastor of Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish is concerned, it would be refreshingly different to have someone, anyone with a little seniority in the archdiocese speak the truth today.”
I haven’t discouraged anyone from their “attempt to support a good priest.”
But since we are on the subject of “good priests,” has anyone heard anything about what transpired when Msgr. Conway had that meeting with Bishop Senior? Has anyone asked Conway about it? Has Conway said any relative to the issues raised in his letter to Cardinal Rigali since his meeting with Senior?
Just asking.
Maybe supporting “good priests” is a distraction from the task of calling Cardinal Rigali to accountability about the protection of priest perpetrators.
I don’t think this is a distraction.There are many ways of approaching accountability. The old ways haven’t worked. Why not give something new a try? Cardinal Rigali doesn’t seem to invest a lot in what the laity thinks. Perhaps if more priests acted as Msgr. Conway did, we’d have more accountability.
My hope, no matter how naive it may be, is that a strong show of support for those trying to do the right thing, will encourage others to follow suit. I will be there as well.
Sister, I made my comment because of the following statement you made “I agree with Patrick O’Malley when he says,
“50 people with protest signs in front of Rigali’s church would say a lot more, and get a lot more media attention than 50 people going to another church instead.
50 people who stand up during the collection, and refusing to donate, would make everyone ask.
50 people telling everyone at Rigali’s church that you want answers and action from the top would do a lot more than shifting a few people around from parish to parish.” I am sorry if I misunderstood you.
Wait to read the archdiocese files first before you start supporting anyone. When and if the court orders the release of confidential files of priest then you will see who truly deserved to be supported. I only say this because the hierarchy has twisted the laity around for to long. I have no proof of that happening now. I he pleads guilty then the church will not have to release their files. In that case a plea bargain could be in order to a shorter sentence if he comes clean or a longer one if he does not.
Personally I am glad to see that ONE priest and One nun joined the protest. I pray for the day when the clergy and religious join in protest to the truth, the whole truth and nothin but the truth. Then and only then will we be a Curch following in the footprints of Jesus and not the twisted path of the misguided Vatican.
Since we are having our MMR May Procession immediately after the 12:30 mass, I suggest that supporters defer their visit to another day so as not to distract from our celebration. Thanks.
Supporting your pastor, who spoke out on the protection of children, is right in line with honoring Mary. Also, our Mass attendance is planned for the 10:45 Mass so as not to jam up the parking lot for the 12:30 Mass and May Procession.
I wish you luck finding parking for ANY MMR mass.
As a former parishioner there, I’m aware of the issue. A crowded church is a good problem to have.