Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed: The Fr. Dan Conlin story now public knowledge.
A friend emailed me today and asked if I knew about the story. I did. I knew shortly after it happened. I worked in a religious goods store at the time - which was a hotbed of gossip. I found out. I was sort of surprised, probably because I had seen the same priest as a seminarian at Carmel years before. Anyone assisting at Mass at Carmel had to be holy, I thought - but hey, we're not saints yet.
I still maintain he is a good priest. I've been to his Masses, he's heard my confession. He doesn't know me, but I know him - as well as his friends. he is well liked and respected. I'm so sorry the story broke, I'm so sorry personal details are revealed. I don't know what will happen with him now. Please pray for him. His name and story has been made public here.
He fell into serious sin, adultery, and atones for it. I pray he will remain a priest. I'm not sure he can however. As the article points out:
Before he became Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio said a priest who fathers a child "must leave his ministry and take care of his child, even though he might decide not to marry the woman."
In his 2010 book, "On Heaven and Earth," published in English in April, he wrote, "Because just as the child has a right to have a mother, the child also has the right to the face of a father. I commit myself to do all the paperwork in Rome, but he must leave everything. ... The double life does not do us any good, I do not like it; it means sustaining deceit."So, I don't know.
Archbishop Nienstedt doesn't exactly come off well in the sad story - according to the article he told the husband of the woman:
"(Nienstedt) is the one that's responsible for monitoring this priest's behavior," Doyle continued. "And he's the one that's responsible to provide the proper kind of pastoral care or justice for the ex-husband," as well as avoiding "serious scandal and destruction to the children, if it's not already happened."
Nienstedt told Bill in an email last year that he did not believe a meeting with Bill "would be helpful."That's cold.
I've never been impressed with bishops.
H/T Poodle Van Skor and Pewsitter
Indeed a sad story. I am still puzzled by the response of Archbp. Nienstedt to the ex-husband (Bill). Let 's pray for all the people involved especially the child of the priest. In your charity, please pray for us priests.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you knew him - but he is a wonderful priest, he really is.
DeleteI do pray for you of course, and praying for priests is always part of my prayer.
As for the Archbishop - I don't know the background of the story - but he doesn't strike me as a particularly personable man.
My impression of bishops is that they are for the most part "company men" dedicated to the status quo. I'm always pleasantly surprised when a priest or bishop comes across as personable and/or compassionate. I've come to believe that being charitable does not come easy for many who make it into positions of responsibility. I find this very sad and a source of scandal for non believers.
ReplyDelete"Father Hardon once pointed out in one of his lessons on detachment that what causes Catholic bishops and priests to apostasize on their Catholic faith is excessive attachment to the things of this world: sexual gratification, pride of self worth, clerical envy for power in the Church and notoriety, and money."
ReplyDeleteServus! I think things like this are most shocking as priests are supposed to be like your parents and know nothing about xes.
DeleteFor a bishop who had so much to say about gay marriage, he seems to have a case of the mutes over this one. Perhaps some occasions are more opportune for press conferences, YouTube videos, and diocesan-wide mailers.
ReplyDeletePoint taken. The entire affair and how it has been handled is kind of schizoid actually. In this case, a Catholic marriage and family was broken up and virtually destroyed. In order to remain Catholic none of the parties can remarry, and the irony cannot be ignored that after all is said and done, the priest was assigned to the marriage tribunal.
DeleteMakes ya want to holler!
Sodomy or Christ, Thom.
DeleteChoose.
"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy."
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DeleteSo you choose sodomy, eh Thom?
DeleteSad.
"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy."
DeleteSo you choose sodomy over Christ, eh Thom?
DeleteSad.
I like how you ignore huge swaths of Christ's teaching and focus on a tidy bit of non-guilt-inducing stuff. That makes you a fine Protestant and heretic, but not a Catholic.
Sodomy or Christ, Thom. All the charity in the world cannot erase it.
You keep using that word....
DeleteSo I defined it for you.
DeleteOh, do I need to translate? In your case, that would mean the disordered act of inserting your penis into a man's rectum and ejaculating into his anus or upon his back, thus satisfying a disordered attraction you have to men due to a number of factors that could include inter uterine environment, broken home, poor relationship with one's dad, or sexual abuse.
DeleteThis, of course, goes against Christ's teaching on sex and marriage, which is why choosing to do this is a rejection of Christ.
Do I need to draw a picture, or are you good?
Homosexuality is not special. I have far worse disorders than you. Take up your lighter cross and praise God that it isn't mine.
You're a disgusting man who doesn't know how to talk in public. No wonder you don't use your real name like a man.
DeleteI'll say again, and leave it at that:
"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy."
And you are delusional and avoiding the topic on purpose. You know what I am referring to when I say sodomy, and now it is clear.
DeleteFor the record you did not deny it. You have chosen to reject Christ. Repent.
I fall worse everyday and I must repent too. What makes you so damn special that you don't have to consider your sins as sins? Why do YOU not have to repent?
Fuck the gay pride movement. It is a lie.
Someone has to say it.
And it's funny how you do not want me to describe what same sex couples do? Why hide it? Why be ashamed? It is YOU who want the world to accept it. It is YOU who want the Church to bless it.
DeleteSodomy is disgusting and we all know it. Why can't you be honest?
the Minneapolis area seems to be a spiritual battleground. Prayers for all... Especially the child.
ReplyDeleteWhat gets me is that Thom is me in my fallen moments-not wanting to admit that my sins are sins. Not wanting to admit that the Church IS Christ and that her teachings are His. Wanting the world and the Church to accept and affirm me in my sin so I don't ave to top. I hate myself when I do that.
ReplyDeleteThom is doing that now. Thom is me. Thom is disgusted by me. I am Thom. Thom hates himself.
Ah, sad to hear about this. I enjoyed Fr. Conlin's company several times when I lectored for him at St. Olaf. In particular, we talked about my job search during one of my unemployed phases, and he seemed genuinely concerned and interested - as I have no doubt he was. My prayers are with him.
ReplyDeleteI was blown away when I first heard about it way back when. Never considered all the sad consequences until I read the newspaper article.
Delete