Letter may shed light on ouster of pastor

[kweerwolf]

In an indication that a Newton pastor's position on gay rights may have played a role in his ouster, a conservative website has posted a letter from a top archdiocesan official saying that Roman Catholic Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley had been ''very disturbed" by an accusation that the pastor had invited parishioners to consider marching in a gay-rights parade in Boston last spring.

O'Malley's spokesman said last night he could not authenticate the letter, which is posted on the website of the antiabortion organization Operation Rescue Boston, but he insisted that the archbishop sought the resignation of the Rev. Walter H. Cuenin from his post as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton solely because of financial improprieties, and not because of church politics.

''I can't vouch for this letter's authenticity, but it doesn't change the dynamics of what happened here, which is that Father Cuenin broke archdiocesan policy, and by virtue of his agreeing to reimburse us, he obviously concurs," said the spokesman, Terrence C. Donilon. ''Seventy-five thousand dollars is a lot of money, and we cannot ignore the financial piece of this. We cannot allow one pastor to operate under a separate set of guidelines or rules."

In the letter posted on the website, Bishop Richard G. Lennon, the archdiocesan vicar general, writes of receiving complaints that Cuenin had positively mentioned an upcoming gay pride parade in the church bulletin, and says, ''Please know that the archbishop is very disturbed by the information that you, along with others, have sent to him regarding this event and the involvement of Father Cuenin. He wishes to assure you that he is in the process of addressing this whole matter."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/09/28/letter_may_shed_light_on_ouster_of_pastor/

Ummm ... yeah, yeah ... 'financial improprieties' ... that's the ticket! That's why we got rid of him. :eyes:

[cssmall]

1. God forbid that we treat people that different from us with any modicum of

respect and compassion, even though Jesus went out to the lepers and taught them. I mean, come on. :eyes:

[Not Me]

2. If you follow the links in the article...

and go to orboston.org (Operations Rescue's site) there's a link to the church's bulletin which is very illuminating.

This parish is a MODEL for where the Catholic Church *should be* headed. They are welcoming of all, not just gays, and have a host of outreaches to serve the less fortunate.

What a travesty.