I remember when this news came out a few years back. I feel bad for the victim that was manipulated and abused. I feel bad for the CFRs being tarnished by the horrible actions done by one of their priests. Knowing them, no doubt there is a lot of prayer and fasting being offered for the victim.
I would love to hear that the CFRs are offering prayers and fasting for this victim; their statement leaves a lot to be desired, however, in even addressing the accusations against this soon-to-former friar.
Legal advice and strategies do not consider the spiritual realm - which is fine for litigation, but deeply unsatisfactory for the care of souls. Prayers for all.
What a scumbag. Sorry, it's hard to think otherwise. "Repurcusions"? What kind of person acts like this, threatening others? So despicable. I understand this stuff has to be reported but this article has really ruined my morning (through no fault of the author or this website).
He made choices that others did not and succumbed to his temptations. While it's good to suggest that we pray for him, the responsibility here is Leonelli's, alone - we did not "fail" him.
And please remember that we have to respect the decision to laicize him - Leonelli is not "Father" anymore.
You're right, we shouldn't use pejoratives. But as for him starting out with malicious aspirations, there's no reasonable cause to believe either way, and it doesn't matter, really - what matters is what he did.
You won't absolve "the community", but I can't condemn any community - whether the CFR or the entire Church - for the actions of a member. While we're commanded to pray, God isn't compelled by our prayers to prevent suffering, and sometimes His answer to prayer is "no". Besides, His love and mercy always include the gift of free will, right?
OK, OK. I'm not absolving anyone and I'm not condemning anyone. It's not my prerogative. But I can tell you that my time in seminary and diocesan priesthood, 1987—2000, gave me a front row seat to the corruption of priestly formation and ministry. There are a lot of inadequately vetted and trained clergy out there.
Sorry if I'm being strident. I can only imagine what you've seen, since the inklings I've gained over the last year of reading The Pillar have been sad enough. I'll pray for you, please pray for me!
Sorry, Thomas - I need to ask. What did you do to prevent or eliminate the corruption that you saw from your front row seat?
And as someone else said, I have nothing to do with the moral failures of others that abuse their their "power" for their sexual gratification. I'm sinful enough as to carry someone else's sins.
A fair question. And I'll ask you, have you read "Good Bye, Good Men" by Michael S. Rose?
What did I do ... ?
While in seminary, I advocated for the pro-life movement for one thing, only to be chastised by the rector.
In the diocese, I was run out or frozen out of several parishes for exhibiting orthodoxy and reverence. The bishop told me I could be "too right", you know.
What, Dallas, would you like me to write? A litany of all of the demoralizing experiences I had?
I resigned from ministry. Many of the priests who remained either had their souls crushed or turned to vices and crimes, such as gambling, alcoholism, embezzlement and, of course, illicit sexual activity. These are priests of the diocese that I was acquainted with, not conjectured stereotypes. It wasn't an environment I cared to live in.
I post what I post to raise awareness. Too many Catholics, even on this site, seem to have their heads in the sand. That, in itself, facilitates the corruption.
Your experiences are similar to what I've read elsewhere; I'm not sure "demoralizing" properly captures what you've experienced. I'm so sorry, for you and our Church.
To me this is all part and parcel with the explosion in influence of the "lavender mafia", of "progressive" priests and theology, and the suppression of the Tridentine Mass. (For how can one engage in revolution without first tearing down the old ways?) However, I sense their revolution is failing.
The current pontificate signals perhaps both the apogee and nadir of progressive influence in the Church. Think about it: a cabal of now-deceased liberal Cardinals conspired to elect Francis, but his sincerely progressive pontificate (repeatedly sowing confusion and scandal, punctuated by unpastoral words and deeds) starkly reveals the congenital flaws of the progressive movement. I think we have reason to both pray and hope that the next pope will be both more orthodox and more pastoral. (And, Lord, would it be too much to ask that he is also a friend of the Tridentine Mass, a fearless reformer, and an effective enemy of corruption and heterodoxy?)
Our Lady at Fatima told people to offer prayers, especially the rosary, and penance for sinners to keep many from going to hell. It's on all of us to do so as an act of charity.
Come, Holy Ghost, with Your holy cleansing fire! Come, Holy Ghost, however painful it may be, burn this corruption out of the sacred priesthood, burn this rot out of Your holy Church!
One bad apple...even Jesus had Judas. The CFRs are an amazing group of devout and humble friars.
They will carry on.
Query, considering the intensity of their prayer life, one can only wonder how this priest could spend so much time in adoration and communal prayer without it bothering his conscience. I understand how a diocesan priest could evade conscience because he technically doesn't have to spend time in prayer except when he has to celebrate Mass, so spiritual accountability is nonexistent, but I thought the CFRs spend several hours a day in communal prayer and adoration, plus live an austere life? How does that not convict his conscience? Perhaps this friar was schizophrenic or lost his faith. But, if I stopped believing, then the last thing I'd want to do would be to continue with an intensely ascetic life of a CFR! So sad.
The enemy (I think) likes to lead people gently by small steps and small rationalizations: "this is not a big deal" or "I deserve this small personal satisfaction after all of my labors for the Church" or "other people do this so I can too"; the goal is to ease a person along from imperfect motives, to deliberate venial sins, to grave matter, by the gradual numbing of one's conscience. The enemy is also happy to take a fortress through the weakest point in its walls and leave the strongest part standing (an empty shell with no charity inside would be the pinnacle of hypocrisy so that would be fine, no need to raze it.) So it is possible for a person to look virtuous from several angles, where strong habits of virtue are intact, but to be a bit moth-eaten from the back where it is not seen in a mirror... pick one of the capital sins such as anger or gluttony and it's easy to excuse someone: he is a good preacher, so what if he likes fine dining or yells at people. There is no one whom the enemy is not *trying* to undermine so instead of pondering "how did this happen" (the order should ponder it though), I myself will ponder "where is my weak point where the enemy is sapping my fortification as we speak"; where do I make excuses for myself but would spot the rot immediately if my frenemy (person I encounter often who drives me crazy) made the same excuses.
This is at least the second CFR priest laicized for abuse - while nothing "explains" the men's actions, it seems like a missed opportunity for the order to review their discernment, formation, policies, etc to see if there are any common threads
Out of how many friars? Even good processed and judgment can be deceived by skilled manipulators. Especially if they hold off their real evil until they are ‘secure’ in ordination or final vows and have a good reputation.
I wonder if CFR's rapid growth came at the expense of thorough vetting. It also seems logical that groups that grow rapidly for good reasons (like CFR) will draw more than their share of predators seeking to join for the wrong reasons, men who perhaps rightly believe they can "sneak in", overlooked among a large number of postulants.
We diocesan priests are to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, which is spiritual nourishment and strengthens us in faith.
Many of us keep a holy hour daily or a time of dedicated pray outside of Mass or a holy hour.
While we don't have an everyday live in community of brothers to support us many have "clergy brotherhoods" or "support groups" which gather monthly for fraternity, prayer and to help keep us "honest." For a lot of us these groups nurture us and challenge us to keep on the straight and narrow way.
I just want to emphasize this statement: "No sexual relationship between a spiritual director and his directee could be consensual." This seems like such common sense, but unfortunately, so many in the Church still don't get this.
I wonder when he leaves for Rome.
I remember when this news came out a few years back. I feel bad for the victim that was manipulated and abused. I feel bad for the CFRs being tarnished by the horrible actions done by one of their priests. Knowing them, no doubt there is a lot of prayer and fasting being offered for the victim.
I would love to hear that the CFRs are offering prayers and fasting for this victim; their statement leaves a lot to be desired, however, in even addressing the accusations against this soon-to-former friar.
Legal advice and strategies do not consider the spiritual realm - which is fine for litigation, but deeply unsatisfactory for the care of souls. Prayers for all.
What a scumbag. Sorry, it's hard to think otherwise. "Repurcusions"? What kind of person acts like this, threatening others? So despicable. I understand this stuff has to be reported but this article has really ruined my morning (through no fault of the author or this website).
That’s the wrong reaction, Tom.
This is a failure of us all.
Fr. Leonelli fell into the machinations of the demons.
And no one came to his rescue.
He made choices that others did not and succumbed to his temptations. While it's good to suggest that we pray for him, the responsibility here is Leonelli's, alone - we did not "fail" him.
And please remember that we have to respect the decision to laicize him - Leonelli is not "Father" anymore.
Fair enough. I'm not absolving Leonelli of responsibility. But I'm not absolving the community either.
I thought that "scumbag" and "despicable" were too harsh. I doubt he started out with malicious aspirations.
Current church politics leave a lot of priests isolated and frustrated. Same goes for laypersons.
It's not good.
You're right, we shouldn't use pejoratives. But as for him starting out with malicious aspirations, there's no reasonable cause to believe either way, and it doesn't matter, really - what matters is what he did.
You won't absolve "the community", but I can't condemn any community - whether the CFR or the entire Church - for the actions of a member. While we're commanded to pray, God isn't compelled by our prayers to prevent suffering, and sometimes His answer to prayer is "no". Besides, His love and mercy always include the gift of free will, right?
OK, OK. I'm not absolving anyone and I'm not condemning anyone. It's not my prerogative. But I can tell you that my time in seminary and diocesan priesthood, 1987—2000, gave me a front row seat to the corruption of priestly formation and ministry. There are a lot of inadequately vetted and trained clergy out there.
Sorry if I'm being strident. I can only imagine what you've seen, since the inklings I've gained over the last year of reading The Pillar have been sad enough. I'll pray for you, please pray for me!
Roger, Chuck!
Sorry, Thomas - I need to ask. What did you do to prevent or eliminate the corruption that you saw from your front row seat?
And as someone else said, I have nothing to do with the moral failures of others that abuse their their "power" for their sexual gratification. I'm sinful enough as to carry someone else's sins.
A fair question. And I'll ask you, have you read "Good Bye, Good Men" by Michael S. Rose?
What did I do ... ?
While in seminary, I advocated for the pro-life movement for one thing, only to be chastised by the rector.
In the diocese, I was run out or frozen out of several parishes for exhibiting orthodoxy and reverence. The bishop told me I could be "too right", you know.
What, Dallas, would you like me to write? A litany of all of the demoralizing experiences I had?
I resigned from ministry. Many of the priests who remained either had their souls crushed or turned to vices and crimes, such as gambling, alcoholism, embezzlement and, of course, illicit sexual activity. These are priests of the diocese that I was acquainted with, not conjectured stereotypes. It wasn't an environment I cared to live in.
I post what I post to raise awareness. Too many Catholics, even on this site, seem to have their heads in the sand. That, in itself, facilitates the corruption.
Your experiences are similar to what I've read elsewhere; I'm not sure "demoralizing" properly captures what you've experienced. I'm so sorry, for you and our Church.
To me this is all part and parcel with the explosion in influence of the "lavender mafia", of "progressive" priests and theology, and the suppression of the Tridentine Mass. (For how can one engage in revolution without first tearing down the old ways?) However, I sense their revolution is failing.
The current pontificate signals perhaps both the apogee and nadir of progressive influence in the Church. Think about it: a cabal of now-deceased liberal Cardinals conspired to elect Francis, but his sincerely progressive pontificate (repeatedly sowing confusion and scandal, punctuated by unpastoral words and deeds) starkly reveals the congenital flaws of the progressive movement. I think we have reason to both pray and hope that the next pope will be both more orthodox and more pastoral. (And, Lord, would it be too much to ask that he is also a friend of the Tridentine Mass, a fearless reformer, and an effective enemy of corruption and heterodoxy?)
Our Lady at Fatima told people to offer prayers, especially the rosary, and penance for sinners to keep many from going to hell. It's on all of us to do so as an act of charity.
Come, Holy Ghost, with Your holy cleansing fire! Come, Holy Ghost, however painful it may be, burn this corruption out of the sacred priesthood, burn this rot out of Your holy Church!
One bad apple...even Jesus had Judas. The CFRs are an amazing group of devout and humble friars.
They will carry on.
Query, considering the intensity of their prayer life, one can only wonder how this priest could spend so much time in adoration and communal prayer without it bothering his conscience. I understand how a diocesan priest could evade conscience because he technically doesn't have to spend time in prayer except when he has to celebrate Mass, so spiritual accountability is nonexistent, but I thought the CFRs spend several hours a day in communal prayer and adoration, plus live an austere life? How does that not convict his conscience? Perhaps this friar was schizophrenic or lost his faith. But, if I stopped believing, then the last thing I'd want to do would be to continue with an intensely ascetic life of a CFR! So sad.
The enemy (I think) likes to lead people gently by small steps and small rationalizations: "this is not a big deal" or "I deserve this small personal satisfaction after all of my labors for the Church" or "other people do this so I can too"; the goal is to ease a person along from imperfect motives, to deliberate venial sins, to grave matter, by the gradual numbing of one's conscience. The enemy is also happy to take a fortress through the weakest point in its walls and leave the strongest part standing (an empty shell with no charity inside would be the pinnacle of hypocrisy so that would be fine, no need to raze it.) So it is possible for a person to look virtuous from several angles, where strong habits of virtue are intact, but to be a bit moth-eaten from the back where it is not seen in a mirror... pick one of the capital sins such as anger or gluttony and it's easy to excuse someone: he is a good preacher, so what if he likes fine dining or yells at people. There is no one whom the enemy is not *trying* to undermine so instead of pondering "how did this happen" (the order should ponder it though), I myself will ponder "where is my weak point where the enemy is sapping my fortification as we speak"; where do I make excuses for myself but would spot the rot immediately if my frenemy (person I encounter often who drives me crazy) made the same excuses.
This is at least the second CFR priest laicized for abuse - while nothing "explains" the men's actions, it seems like a missed opportunity for the order to review their discernment, formation, policies, etc to see if there are any common threads
Let's hope and pray they do. They are otherwise such a shining example of the Gospel to the world.
Out of how many friars? Even good processed and judgment can be deceived by skilled manipulators. Especially if they hold off their real evil until they are ‘secure’ in ordination or final vows and have a good reputation.
Out of 60 priests, I had honestly assumed they were larger until I read this article
I wonder if CFR's rapid growth came at the expense of thorough vetting. It also seems logical that groups that grow rapidly for good reasons (like CFR) will draw more than their share of predators seeking to join for the wrong reasons, men who perhaps rightly believe they can "sneak in", overlooked among a large number of postulants.
We diocesan priests are to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, which is spiritual nourishment and strengthens us in faith.
Many of us keep a holy hour daily or a time of dedicated pray outside of Mass or a holy hour.
While we don't have an everyday live in community of brothers to support us many have "clergy brotherhoods" or "support groups" which gather monthly for fraternity, prayer and to help keep us "honest." For a lot of us these groups nurture us and challenge us to keep on the straight and narrow way.
Very healthy practice for holy, normal priests.Thanks for sharing.
Father Groeschel was one of the founders of this order. Bad apples are everywhere. Let’s not throw the whole order under the bus.
He’s removed-rightfully so- but that weirdo Rupnick and he’s weird art stays. Go figure.
I just want to emphasize this statement: "No sexual relationship between a spiritual director and his directee could be consensual." This seems like such common sense, but unfortunately, so many in the Church still don't get this.