Monday, June 27, 2011

Another priest thrown under the bus?

Rather, isn't it simply compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People? 


“Please keep Father Spaulding, St. Timothy Parish and the person who brought forward the accusation in your prayers.” - Rev. David Sanfilippo, vicar of priests.
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Rev. John D.“Jack” Spaulding, pastor of St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa, was placed on administrative leave Friday after a Diocesan Review Board Thursday night determined there was a “credible”allegation of his involvement in sexual misconduct with a minor. It allegedly took place more than 25 years ago when he was pastor at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish in Scottsdale.
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Between 1989 and 1996, nine young people of St. Maria Goretti said they were hearing voices and getting messages, or “locutions,”from Mary. Spaulding, who said he also began to get messages, instructed them to record their messages, which were compiled and examined by a diocesan commission. Its report in 1995 said the locutions were “explainable in the range of ordinary human experiences” and were not supernatural.
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The diocese released a statement Friday afternoon that Spaulding, 67, had resigned as pastor on Monday, and that Bishop Thomas Olmsted had accepted it and was consulting with others in the diocese to name a new priest for St. Timothy, one of the largest parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.
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Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery released a statement Saturday morning saying his office has received no allegations or investigative report from law enforcement regarding Spaulding, nor is it participating in any criminal investigation arising from his suspension.
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Olmsted said the case will be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome for further proceedings. Spaulding’s resignation is effective July 4 and “came after a separate investigation by the diocese into concerns that the parish had failed to follow certain financial and human resources policies and procedures,” the diocesan statement said. It said the diocese wants to “assure the faithful of St. Timothy that there was no finding of embezzlement or other such financial crime or impropriety” on the part of Spaulding or parish staff. “Father’s Spaulding’s resignation on Monday from his position as pastor was based upon his recognition that a change of leadership was necessary at the parish,” the two-page statement said.
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Olmsted said he took his action on the sexual misconduct allegation in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by national bishops several years ago. - Source
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Prayers for Fr. Spaulding.

4 comments:

  1. I live in the Phoenix Diocese, and have since 1951.

    Pray His Eminence Bishop Olmstead and Father DiFillipo terminate the Freemasons that have infested the Phoenix Diocese; some are employees in the Diocese Office.

    It is gruesome to have Freemasons in position of authority in a Diocese.

    This is a problem that has a detrimental effect on souls.

    There is a serious problem in our Diocese and it is not being addressed.

    Priests falling is only a symtom of a much more serious problem.

    The Apostolic Nuncio has been alerted only to give the typical Roman silence.

    More Priests will fall to the Freemasons as our Bishops and Priests ignore this problem.

    *

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  2. Thanks St. Michael - I knew someone was from that diocese - I forgot it was you. Fr. Spaulding strikes me as a good guy - I hope the allegations are false and he's okay. You have a good bishop.

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  3. I do pray for a resolution in this controversial issue. They are both in my prayers.

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  4. Anonymous2:33 AM

    If he is found guilty may he rot in hell for eternity.

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