While I have never met Fr. Gruber, I enjoyed his book 'Journey Back to Eden' immensely. It has proven to be an excellent source of material for quiet reflection and meditation.
Normally I would not post an article of this nature but given the fact that he his appeal will be heard by the Apostolic Signatura, I felt it important to appeal for prayers. That tribunal would not accept such a case unless there were sufficient evidence to support Fr. Gruber's testimony. I am also reminded that throughout the history of the Catholic Church, many saints were falsely accused of various misdeeds. Take for example St. Vincent de Paul.
Vincent chose to board, out of humility, in a modest lodging in the area of St. Germain. It was owned by a Judge of the Tribunal, Monsieur de Sore. Vincent was so happy, but his peace was to be short-lived. One day, when Vincent was sick in bed, with a fever (from an illness contracted in Africa), the Judge entered the room and, as was his custom, placed a large sum of money in the safe. But in a hurry and somewhat distracted, instead of leaving the key in a safe place, he left it on the server. Later the delivery boy from the pharmacy brought medicine to Father Vincent. Upon seeing him sound asleep, and noticing the key, he opened the safe and stole all the contents. On his return, the judge seeing the safe ajar and his money gone, accused Vincent.
Although Vincent calmly protested he was innocent, he was not able to prove it; he was not believed and was to bear the stigma of being a thief for six years. During the six long years, without friends, and anyone who believed in him, he never endeavored to defend himself. He just bore the scandal, resignedly repeating over and over again, "God knows the truth." Finally six years after the fact, the truth always surfacing, the criminal was arrested for another crime and, wanting to clear his conscience, confessed to the crime Vincent had been accused of.
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I don't trust the media accounts; they love nothing more than to twist and malign information to attract a larger readership. The media have served Satan well in his attempts to tear down the Catholic Church that he despises so much. If Fr. Gruber is innocent then that is known to God and I feel confident that Archbishop Burke will unravel the knots. In the meantime, let us pray for Fr. Gruber whose reputation has been sullied, perhaps forever. What a cross to bear!
Forgot to include you on my post #12.
Remember though that there is a difference between not having the allegations against you proven, and reasonably proving that you're innocent of them.
Fr. Gruber’s elliptical answers to the police do not represent sufficient evidence to prove that he's done something wrong, but they also tell against the proposition that he is entirely innocent, as well.
The priest has a right to due process. I believe that in canonical proceedings, folks have a right not to be compelled to testify against themselves. This right must be respected, and should not lead to an assumption of guilt.
Nonetheless, Fr. Gruber apparently is involved in the formation of young folks, including prospective priests. This is a privilege, not a right. To maintain this privilege, Fr. Gruber will have to go beyond merely obtaining a judgment that guilt isn't proven. He will have to also make a reasonable demonstration of his actual innocence, which means in part, not giving elliptical answers to questions about whether or not he used the computer to view child porn.
It's much the same for those of us who are LAITY and wish to serve in analogous roles. It doesn't take a formal criminal conviction to get one barred from many service roles.
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