Fallen Priest Aims at Destroying the Knights of Columbus

Vivificat! - News, Opinions, Commentary, Prayer, from a Personal Catholic Perspective ^ | 2 July 2009 | TDJ

[Teófilo]

Geoff Farrow objects to the K of C's support for California's Proposition 8 and for Catholic Moral Teaching

Folks, this according to CNA:

Fresno, Calif., Jul 2, 2009 / 06:43 am (CNA).- Citing the organization’s support for traditional marriage, a suspended Catholic priest who has turned to homosexual activism has called for Catholic pastors to block Knights of Columbus groups from their parishes and to borrow against the order’s insurance policies to fund homosexual groups.

He said he advocated such action in part because the fraternal charitable organization helped support California’s Proposition 8, which restored legal marriage’s definition to being between a man and a woman.

Fr. Geoffrey Farrow, former pastor of the St. Paul Newman Center at California State University at Fresno, was removed as pastor in October 2008 for defying church teaching on homosexuality and for condemning Catholic support for Proposition 8, the California Catholic Daily reports.

Writing in a June 4 post on his personal blog, Fr. Farrow wrote:

“Many priests have e-mailed me and expressed their rage and anger over the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy in supporting anti-marriage equality legislation… One of the organizations, which the bishops have effectively employed to do their dirty work, has been the Knights of Columbus.”

He discussed what priests can do to fight “the anti-gay agenda of the bishops and the K of C.”

“Borrow the full amount against your Knights of Columbus life insurance policy immediately,” he advised. “Take the check and invest the funds with an LGBT friendly fund. Do not pay back the loan.”

According to the Knights of Columbus’ web site, for more than 120 years the order has sold insurance to help protect families against “financial ruin.”

Patrick Korten, Knights of Columbus Vice-President of Communications, told CNA in a Wednesday e-mail that those who hold a “whole life policy” with the order may indeed borrow against it.

“As with any loan, one is charged interest on the amount borrowed. Taking a full loan against a policy and not paying it back simply diminishes its value to the policyholder and could cause the policy to lapse.

“That, in turn, defeats the very purpose of having the policy in the first place: protection against financial adversity,” he explained.

Fr. Farrow’s blog post also asked priests not to allow Knights of Columbus groups to publish announcements in parish bulletins and not to allow their events to be held on church property. Fr. Farrow suggested programs be created as a pretext to push out the order’s meetings.

Read the entire CNA report here.

Commentary. Today I will be uncharacteristically blunt compared to the usual fare I write here, and the equanimity I seek to cultivate even in the sight of great evil, but I believe it needs to be stated clearly that

Mr. Farrow has compromised his priesthood and jumped into an abyss. A man who once promised to be "alter Christus", Mr. Farrow has opted instead to distort the Gospel and ultimately, the very Image of God in man, sanctioning through his words and actions a lifestyle that is morally and physically destructive to individuals as well as society, as it has proven to be in the Church.

Mr. Farrow offers a prime example why we ought to pray for priests, particularly this year specially dedicated to them: because whenever a priest cracks and falls, he does so hard. In the process, a fallen priest often becomes a blind guide, confidently leading others into the pit (Matthew 15:14). Like the dragon who swept away a third of the stars (Revelation 12:4), Mr. Farrow did also wrench away from the love of Christ and the life of the Mystical Body of Christ his own little army of followers whose consciences he has so cheaply absolved, and continues to do so by means of his blog and other public activism.

Mr. Farrow's recent tirade against the Knights of Columbus reveals a sad man who has gone off the deep end. The detailed instructions he provides to bankrupt the Knights' life insurance system as well as the strategies he describes to marginalize, intimidate, and silence the Knights are troubling and deeply disturbing. They are the products of a sick mind.

I am not going to ask for quick canonical actions and penalties against Mr. Farrow. That's not my place. But prayer for his conversion, healing, and restoration are of the essence, and that does fall within my purview as a follower of Christ. So I hereby call upon all my readers to include the spiritual health of Mr. Farrow as a special intention during Mass and during the prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. Additionally, let us pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel to break the enemy's hold on this man, as well as this Litany in Reparation for Sins Against the Holy Eucharist (for private recitation only) for all those consecrations that Mr. Farrow has, and will be performing during his illicit celebrations of the Mass, as well as for the men and women who will be receiving the Holy Sacrament without the proper inner dispositions, thanks to Mr. Farrow's words and example. As always, let us pray for ourselves, sinners, and unworthy followers of Jesus Christ in His Church, fully understanding that the wounds of others are our own.

The time has come for intensified spiritual combat. Let us go forth in the joy and love of Jesus Christ, to serve Him and others.

[Teófilo]

Typos. Blunders. Mine. I'll fix them in the blog as I become aware of them.

[Teófilo]

PING!

[Joe 6-pack]

"Fallen Priest..."?!?!?

Doesn't sound like he fell the whole way...just to his knees.

[al_c]

Yeah ... good luck with that.

[massgopguy]

Prop 8 support came from a per capita assessment. Pastors can’t prevent that even if they wanted to, which they don’t.

Grand Knight Massgopguy

[al_c]

Excellent point, worthy Grand Knight.

[wordsofearnest]

I don’t think borrowing against his K of C whole life policy will bankrupt it. I’d venture it w/b a money making proposition for the K of C.

[auntyfemenist]

The priesthood is a gay profession? The Catholic church better start cleaning house. People have no idea what sin is anymore and priests like this do not help.

[sitetest]

The Knights of Columbus has over $60 billion of insurance in force currently.

There are abour 42,000 Catholic priests in the United States.

It is likely that only a modest percentage of them are vicious, rebellious heretics like this one.

But even if half the priests in the US had as much as $20,000 cash value (and remember - it takes a long time to build up that much cash value in a whole life policy, especially when one has an income of perhaps $20,000 or $25,000 per year) in the US and they ALL decided to borrow against it, that would represent less than 1% of the insurance in force with the Order.

Somehow, I ain’t worried.

S/K sitetest, PGK

[Teófilo]

I don’t think borrowing against his K of C whole life policy will bankrupt it. I’d venture it w/b a money making proposition for the K of C.

I believe that Mr. Farrow's implicit suggests that the borrowed money is not to be repaid and the loan defaulted.

-Theo

[ArrogantBustard]

The Catholic church better start cleaning house.

Please read the article.

This guy was booted for advocating faggotry.

[Teófilo]

Somehow, I ain’t worried.

Thank you for the reassurance. And yet, Mr. Farrow's intent is clearly evil, even if his objective is unachievable. Still not good.

-Theo

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Man, this cat is messed up.

[wordsofearnest]

Which works out just as well. Principal & interest will come out of the insurance proceeds.

[SoConPubbie]

Man, this cat is messed up.

Most of them are just that messed up.

If you have ever had a chance to have an in-depth conversation with them you will find this same condition with most, if not, all of them.

They are haters of God and haters of morality, unstable in all of their ways.

Romans chapter 1 describes them perfectly.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

[Salvation]

The Catholic Church DID clean house.

The first part said “suspended priest” now a practicing homosexual”

Why is it that it’s OK to attack the Catholic Church and not other denominations?

[Andyman]

But then the policy would not be in force and would not be paid out at death.

Andyman
DD#8 Utah State Council

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Bit harsh, aren’t you?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Salvation, I know you’re a good person and well meaning, but the site you link to about the rabbis is an anti-Semitic site (”More evidence that these people who claim to be Jews are God’s enemies and not His chosen people.”). Such a link is inappropriate for Free Republic. Can’t you find a more trustworthy site, such as one created by victims of rabbinic pecadilloes?

[NYer]

Many priests have e-mailed me and expressed their rage and anger over the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy in supporting anti-marriage equality legislation…

How many is many? Name them! They should identified and action taken to correct them, for the benefit of all Catholics.

[Salvation]

Interesting that you did not voice your concerns to someone else who posted them.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Interesting that you did not voice your concerns to someone else who posted them.

I didn't notice it and if I did I didn't click on the link. I just happened to click on the link this time, fully expecting it to be a Jewish site reporting on sexual abuse by rabbis. I didn't expect it to be a site for Jew-haters!

I'm not "picking on you," if that's what you're thinking. I've always admired you and I don't hold you responsible for the content of that site, but all FReepers who are linking to it should stop and find another one.

[Salvation]

So, as I understand what you are saying, It is always OK to publish the facts about Catholic priests; abuses, but it is never OK to publish the facts about the abuses of rabbis?

Is that what you are saying?

I guess my free speech just died. Remember these are facts — not accusations.

[Salvation]

priests’ abuses

[Carpe Cerevisi]

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

[Zionist Conspirator]

So, as I understand what you are saying, It is always OK to publish the facts about Catholic priests; abuses, but it is never OK to publish the facts about the abuses of rabbis?

Is that what you are saying?

No, it is not. Most information on the sexual escapades of priests comes from fellow Catholics. Can't you find a site where fellow Jews expose perverted rabbis? Must you use an anti-Semitic web site that explicitly says "obviously these people are not the Chosen People but G-d's enemies?" What's next, a site that accuses them of worshiping Satan?

I guess my free speech just died. Remember these are facts — not accusations.

I don't see why you're fighting with me. I only condemned that particular site, not the idea of exposing sexually perverted rabbis. And this site belongs to Jim Rob and he has the right to decide what may and may not be posted. If you're referring to the First Amendment, only Congress can violate that (unless you're one of those ACLU types who believe that every time Mommy washes out Junior's mouth with soap she's "violating the First Amendment").

You probably don't believe me, but I never intended to start a fight with you. That just happens to be a bad site. Do you want me to find another one for you?

[sitetest]

Dear Salvation,

“So, as I understand what you are saying, It is always OK to publish the facts about Catholic priests; abuses, but it is never OK to publish the facts about the abuses of rabbis?”

I don't know how you got from here to there.

What I thought ZionistConspirator said in his posts was:

1. It is perfectly appropriate to show evidence that clergy of other religions also have these issues, and perfectly appropriate to link to such evidence.

2. The site to which you linked is anti-Semitic. Anti-Semitic sites are hate sites.

3. Although it's perfectly appropriate to show evidence as per 1., one shouldn't do that from hate sites. The site that you presented is a hate site, and thus one shouldn't present a link to it.

4. Rather, it's better to present the evidence from sites that aren't hate sites.

And finally:

5. Although the link may have been presented by someone else before you posted it, he never used the link before, and thus didn't know that it was an anti-Semitic site when it was presented previously.

I don't see the problem.

ZionistConspirator, if I've misrepresented you, please corred.

sitetest

[auntyfemenist]

I love the Catholic church, though I am not Catholic. Don't get me wrong. I Just think there needs to be a stronger stand against such. One's sexual orientation should be no part of their vocation as a priest.

It is my love of the church that causes me to comment. There seems to be a lot of problems with priests. I am deeply concerned about all the orders, including the Nuns.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thank you, sitetest. That's pretty much it.

I certainly intended no distress whatsoever to Salvation, one of the nicest people on this forum (and much more of an ally on the subject of Genesis than most Catholic FReepers are).

[Doohickey]

St. Paul Newman Center

Say what?

[Religion Moderator]

Do not link to 100777.com - it is a hate website.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Here is a site where Jewish victims of rabbinic sexual abuse speak out. I cannot vouch for it and it may very well be a liberal site (like some "anti-abuse" Catholic sites), but at least it doesn't claim that rabbinic sexual abuse proves that the Jewish People are G-d's enemies.

[Teófilo]

Just as it says: St. Paul Newman Center. Funny!

[redhead]

"Yeah ... good luck with that."

LOLOL! I said out loud when I saw the headline, "Yeah. Good luck, bud!"

[marshmallow]

Just left my 0.02 on Farrow's blog.

Unfortunately, he pre-moderates all posts so it's unlikely to be published.

Still, he'll get his panties in a bunch when he reads it and that made it all worthwhile!

[ArrogantBustard]

That’s funny and I don’t believe they did it by accident.

[al_c]

So, is this man still Knight? He’s obviously not a practical Catholic ... kick him out and cancel his policy. Problem solved.

[al_c]

Do not link to 100777.com - it is a hate website.

So is this the url to the hate site that you just posted? Just an observation.

[Religion Moderator]

If you doubt it is a hate website, Google this site:100777.com jewish

[OriginalChristian]

You realize that this is MUCH easier said than done. Don’t get me started on removing lapsed KofC members from Council rolls.

[al_c]

Oh, I know. It does take some work. We’ve been purging names from our roster over the past year and a half. Still waiting on some of them to be finalized.

But in this particular case, I think Supreme would consider moving it rather quickly.

[al_c]

I don’t doubt it. I just found it ironic that you said don’t link to it yet you posted the url ... that’s all.

[sitetest]

Dear al_c,

The priest can be kicked out of the Order, but his insurance policy can't be canceled as long as he keeps his premiums and loan repayments up-to-date.

This fellow seems to have no intention of doing so. However, generally, even if a Knight is suspended, for lack of payment of Council dues, or for other cause, his insurance policy, as long as it's kept current, is protected by law in each state, and the Order can't cancel it.

sitetest

[al_c]

That is correct. But if he lets it default by taking a loan against it and not repaying, that would be grounds for canceling.

[rrstar96]

ping

[rrstar96]

First, the Boy Scouts. Now, the Knights of Columbus. Who’s the next target of homosexual rage?

[Tax-chick]

Moslems? Just kidding ...

[fortunecookie]

How many is many? Name them! They should identified and action taken to correct them, for the benefit of all Catholics.

Amen to that.