In what seems to be nearly a weekly occurrence, yet another Roman Catholic priest is facing sexual misconduct charges. This time, however - unlike so many others - the priest is being excommunicated (something that should have happened to many bishops and cardinals who covered up or enable the sexual abuse of minors). Unfortunately, he was ex-communicated not because of the sexual misconduct charges, but because he held non-denominational services. It certainly is telling in terms of where the priorities are within the Catholic Church - or at least in the Phoenix Diocese. Here are some highlights from The Arizona Republic:*
Dale Fushek, who was one of the highest-ranking Catholic priests in the Phoenix Diocese and later faced legal charges over sexual-misconduct allegations, has been excommunicated from the church. Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted excommunicated Fushek last week but announced his ruling Monday, saying that it was needed because Fushek now holds non-denominational religious services.
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[I]n 2004, Fushek was accused of watching while another priest abused a boy. The case was settled out of court. Fushek was suspended, and a year later, he was arrested and accused of 10 misdemeanor accounts of sexual misconduct. The number was reduced to seven when one of the victims died. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge is considering whether the trials in those cases should be heard together or separately.
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Public excommunications are rare. During the priest sex-abuse cases of recent years, no convicted pedophiles among the clergy have been publicly excommunicated. Nationally, several people, including a priest, recently were excommunicated for their roles in an organization promoting priesthood for women.
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Olmsted, in his statement, said he is concerned that Catholics "may be misled or confused" by the men's actions. "We encourage Catholics to refrain from supporting the Praise and Worship Center," Olmsted said. "We remind Catholics that the ultimate form of praise and worship is and always will be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and we urge them to keep the Mass as the center of their lives."
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The Church's message: screw kids literally, and you remain a member of the Church. Conduct alternate services and you're out the door. WWJD?
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