www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Pennsylvania priest, becomes schismatic

edited out by theophan

Bob,

I am in utter disbelief that you are ignorant of this situation in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. The " Priests Federation of Altoona-Johnstown" had its letter to the bishop published in the Mirro and Tribune-Democrat:

http://www.diocesereport.com/diocese_report/news/ajdiocese_priest_fed_letter.shtml

The sad part is the bishop gave in and silenced those who dared to speak out against the "federation" members. Fr. James Foster was my freshman religion teacher at Bishop Carroll and I have known few priests as absolutely loyal to the teachings of the Church as he was.

"...Farther north, in the diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Bishop Joseph Adamec has targeted at least three good priests: Fr. John Nesbella, Fr. James Foster, and Msgr. Phillip Saylor. In 2003 the “Priests Federation,” an anonymous group claiming to represent 26 diocesan clergy, distributed a letter calling for the immediate suspension of Frs. Nesbella and Foster for “repeated and constant acts which threaten the unity of our community of faith,” i.e., addressing the scourge of homosexuality in the diocesan clergy. This lavender cabal demanded the diocese settle all cases against homosexual abusers out of court to protect their reputations, a move designed to maintain the status quo of cover ups. They also called for seminary gatekeepers to screen out candidates unable “to serve in the church of Vatican II.” It is ironic to note three years later that the demand of homosexuals to lynch two orthodox priests was carried out. Both Fr. Nesbella and Fr. Foster are gone. Fr. Nesbella’s case is a little murky. He sued the diocese in civil court because he was molested by a priest as a teenager. Sadly, the suit lent justification to Adamec’s suspension. Orthodox priests have little recourse. They’re damned whatever they do. Unlikely to receive justice in canon law courts, they are condemned if they turn to the civil courts.

Msgr. Saylor got in trouble in 1994 for telling the truth when he testified in the trial of homosexual predator, Fr. Francis Luddy, who was convicted of abuse. Under oath, Saylor said he informed superiors of priestly pederasty in the diocese, a fact conflicting with statements of Bishop James Hogan and other Church leaders. In 1999 Adamec retaliated by imposing a precept of silence on Msgr. Saylor under threat of suspension and excom-munication. Adamec told the priest he, “may not publish any writing or take part in any radio or television program without the permission of the Diocesan Bishop.” Rod Dreher of The Wall Street Journal, Paul Likoudis of The Wanderer, and Catholic World Report Editor, Domenico Bettinelli, have all written about Adamec’s disgraceful record in Altoona."
http://www.catholicmediacoalition.org/persecuted_priests.htm

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/homepage/local_story_101234346.html?keyword=leadpicturestory

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2003_01_06/2003_03_02_Evans_DioceseMuzzles.htm



http://www.dioceseaj.com/index2.html

http://www.dioceseaj.com/docs/cdt_05072002.html

http://www.dioceseaj.com/docs/drbrown2.html

http://www.dioceseaj.com/docs/hublic2.html

http://www.dioceseaj.com/docs/brownratz.html

http://www.dioceseaj.com/docs/saylor.html

Father Deacon Lance:

Please forgive me. Much of what you link comes form sources outside my area. The Altoona Mirror had carried little of this. The Center Daily Times and and Tribune Democrat aren't widely disseminated in this area.

Msgr. Saylor was the pastor in my parish until the late 1980s and I'd say he has more integrity than dozens of clergy I've been in contact with. He was moved out because of the jealousy of his brethren at that time.

I had read "Goodbye, Good Men" and lent it to someone who never returned it so I had some idea of the screening process.

Thanks for the links.

After reading all the links and looking at the dates, I can explain why I seem so ignorant of these events--beyond the Altoona Mirror carrying less than the other papers cited. These were some of the years I spent in therapy after my work injuries. I was focused on putting my body and my life back together.

BOB

If it's any consolation, something on a smaller scale happened in the Diocese of Arlington, with a priest suspended and threatened with laicization when he "ratted" out a child molester priest being covered by Bishop Loverde. It made the papers here, until the whole thing was quietly covered over, the priest who reported the abuse being transferred elsewhere.

Msgr. Saylor was teaching at the seminary in Loretto when we moved to Hollidaysburg in the late 1970s. At one point after that seminary closed, he was offered a position as seminary rector at another seminary but Bishop Joseph refused to release him for that work.

Bob,

Nothing to forgive. It is never wrong to ask for facts and proof. I simply assumed this was common knowledge in your diocese.

Fr. Deacon Lance