Signers of Declaration
Nine Catholic priests signed the Phoenix Declaration, prepared by a Phoenix organization called No Longer Silent, Clergy for Justice.
They are:
--The Rev. Andre Boulanger, retired.
--The Rev. Scott Brubaker, pastor, St. Bridget, Mesa.
--The Rev. Chris Carpenter, pastor, Christ the King, Mesa.
--The Rev. John Cunningham, pastor, St. Mary Magdalene, Gilbert.
--The Rev. Hugo Gonzalez, pastor, St. Charles Borromeo, Peoria.
--The Rev. Matthew Mampara, associate, St. Mary Magdalene.
--The Rev. Vernon Meyer, Sunday associate, St. Patrick, Scottsdale.
--The Rev. Ray Ritari, pastor, St. Matthew, Phoenix.
--The Rev. Ken Van de Ven, pastor, St. James, Glendale.
--Also signing: Brother Doug Zlatis of St. Matthew.
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Note: Bolds and underlines added for emphasis.
On this list in addition to the above names is Rev. Nils F. Thompson, OFM, Phoenix
Also listed is Rev. Scott Ritchey, Scottsdale United Methodist Church, Scottsdale [Pastor].
Rev. Scott Ritchey is listed as Associate Pastor on the front of the 11/29/98 bulletin of Our Lady of the Valley "Catholic Community".
The Year 2000 Phoenix Diocesan Directory has Ritchey listed as: "On Leave".
The above named Rev. Scott Brubaker is shown on the same bulletin as Pastor.
How much effort did Brubaker make to strengthen the Catholic faith of his Associate Pastor?
Brubaker is listed in the same Diocesan Directory as: Vicar of the Office of Worship.
Lots of Luck!
An earlier list of No Longer Silent / Clergy of Justice Members
includes the name of a priest not in the "latest" list.
It is not known that either list is a complete list.
The Arizona Republic - Opinions online print edition
May. 5, 2004 12:00 AM -- Link to the Opinion Article
Regarding Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted's order to the nine priests:
My awareness through Bible passages is that Jesus, often to the horror of his apostles, consistently offered God's love to marginalized and disenfranchised peoples of all kinds, regardless of who they were.
These marginalized peoples were brought to the inclusion, love, solace and peace that He offered.
In our current society, there seem to be major figureheads who have forgotten these basic teachings in the swirl of rules and regulations that were initially instituted to organize these teachings.
It now becomes more obvious to me that the rules and regulations made by man overrule the compassionate heart given to us by God's teachings.
I applaud the nine priests who are willing to follow the compassionate heart.
-- Barbara Rossman, Scottsdale
On this list in addition to the 3/31/2004 names is a NEW name: Rev. Nils F. Thompson, OFM, Phoenix
Names that have been removed from the March 31, 2004 List:
L#19--Rev. Scott Brubaker, pastor, St. Bridget, Mesa.
L#25--Rev. Chris Carpenter, pastor, Christ the King, Mesa.
L#87--Rev. Ray Ritari, pastor, St. Matthew, Phoenix.
Names still on the List as of May 6, 2004 @ 4PM:
L#15--Rev. Andre Boulanger, retired.
L#31--Rev. John Cunningham, pastor, St. Mary Magdalene, Gilbert.
L#48--Rev. Hugo Gonzalez, pastor, St. Charles Borromeo, Peoria.
L#63--Rev. Matthew Mampara, associate, St. Mary Magdalene.
L#70--Rev. Vernon Meyer, Sunday associate, St. Patrick, Scottsdale.
L#110-Rev. Nils F. Thompson, OFM, Phoenix [Not yet mentioned in the Press***]
L#113-Rev. Ken Van de Ven, pastor, St. James, Glendale.
L#120-Brother Doug Zlatis of St. Matthew.
Here and following is some info about these names.