Yeah, the Roman Catholic church leadership in Virginia smells just like the spirit-anointed "Boss" at The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society...
A priest who exposed sexual misconduct by fellow priests in northern Virginia faces unspecified charges within the Roman Catholic church that supporters fear could lead to his defrocking.
In a court deposition, the Reverend James Haley exposed the affair that another priest had with a married woman. He accused two other priests of hoarding gay pornography and one of them of stealing from collection plates.
The three accused priests resigned, but Haley's supporters say he's been on involuntary leave for a year and faces further disciplinary action by Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde.
In his deposition, Haley said he was overwhelmed by the amount of homosexual activity in the priesthood, but was stonewalled by Loverde when he provided evidence of impropriety.
News stories follow...
Link: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2002/122002/12022002/1038872022
Whistle-blower priest in trouble with diocese
The Associated Press, WFLS News
(Arlington-AP) -- A Catholic priest who exposed sexual misconduct at three northern Virginia parishes is facing unspecified charges from church officials.
A spokesman for the Catholic diocese denies that Father James Haley is being punished for speaking out about the misconduct.
But a conservative Catholic group supporting Haley says the church is punishing him for exactly that -- exposing corruption in parishes in Fredericksburg, Manassas and Franconia.
About 50 members of the group Roman Catholic Faithful rallied in support of Haley outside the diocese today.
Three different priests have been punished by the church for misconduct exposed in large part by Haley, including possession of gay pornography and one priest's affair with a married woman.
Haley made many of the allegations in a deposition taken as part of a lawsuit filed by the woman's husband.
A diocesan spokeswoman says Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde told Haley he should NOT speak publicly about the allegations because the accused priests have a right to due process and privacy during the investigation.
And from http://www.catholicherald.com/articles/02articles/haley1205.htm
Bishop Reiterates Procedures for Dealing with Allegations
By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 12/5/02)
Dec. 3, 2002
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Recent news reports have raised issues about how this diocese responds to allegations of misconduct and other situations. As the bishop of this diocese, I would like to assure our people that I take allegations of misconduct very seriously, and I seek to treat everyone fairly in accord with the Churchs Canon Law.
It is important to note that I work within the canonical structures of the Church whenever there is an allegation of wrongdoing. There is a strict process with canonical representation and an opportunity for pursuing the matter within Church structures. If a priest is not satisfied with the way his bishop is handling a particular matter, or he feels he is being treated unfairly, the Church provides numerous avenues for him to seek review.
In the case generating the most media interest, that of Father James Haley, some facts need to be clarified. 1) Father Haley has not been made a pastor because of separate issues concerning his own past conduct which came to light before he brought the misdeeds of three other priests to my attention. 2) When Father Haley began a period of discernment and his faculties were withdrawn last year, I ordered Father Haley to behave in a manner consistent with principles of our faith and canon law, and to respect the privacy of others as well as his oath of obedience to me as his Bishop. While Father Haley was always free to "go over my head" and bring his accusations and criticisms to other ecclesiastical authorities, he chose instead to resort to the media. 3) As to the perception that Father Haley was complying with some sort of civil law duty to give a deposition in a civil proceeding, it is our understanding that no subpoena was issued by the Court or served on Father Haley. A notice of deposition was served on our civil law counsel, but a notice of deposition is not a subpoena. Father Haley volunteered his testimony to his own lawyer. No one from the Diocese attempted to stop him from doing so. The lawsuit was then dismissed on August 29, 2002, on multiple grounds, including the failure to state a valid legal claim. The deposition was not even used in support of the lawsuit and most of it had nothing to do with the allegations in that suit. The Diocese requested that the court protect the privacy of non-parties, including priests and parishioners, by sealing the transcript, but the court declined to do so.
Most important to note, Father Haley is still a priest. He is receiving a monthly stipend plus full healthcare benefits. The canonical process currently underway involving Father Haley does not seek in any way to punish him for bringing to my attention any concerns about the three priests mentioned above. This canonical process is dealing with other issues regarding Father Haley and will be carried out in accordance with canon law.
I want every parishioner in this diocese to know that allegations by some in the media stating that I have ignored priestly misconduct are absolutely false. I expect every priest to live a virtuous life in keeping with his sacred calling, including his commitment to celibacy and chastity. Allegations of retaliation are equally unfounded.
As I wrote to you in my letter of September 14, 2002, and had read at all the Masses that weekend, in every case in which I receive a credible allegation of wrongdoing, I investigate to determine what is happening, and I take appropriate steps to correct any wrongdoing. In accord with Christian principles, I reach out to any victims who might be involved, and I try to rehabilitate the offender. Each case is unique, and must be dealt with individually. As the bishop of this diocese, I will do everything in my power to see that wrongdoing or criminal behavior is punished. I assure you that I will faithfully discharge the duty given to me by Christs Vicar on earth, Pope John Paul II, who asked me to be an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, the Diocesan Bishop of Ogdensburg, New York, and now the Diocesan Bishop of Arlington.
It has been a difficult year for the Catholic Church, and a difficult time for our diocesan church as well. Let us, therefore, continue to pray for each other, especially during the Season of Advent. I invite everyone in the diocese to join me in praying the rosary each day during Advent, asking our Blessed Lady to obtain the graces of healing and holiness for all of us in the Church: both at the local level and at the national level. May we all grow in true holiness through the power of Gods Holy Spirit always at work within us!
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde
Bishop of Arlington