Priest, bishop clash in sex, theft scandals

The Washington Times --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Priest, bishop clash in sex, theft scandals George Archibald THE WASHINGTON TIMES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A local Roman Catholic priest says he is being retaliated against by his bishop for providing evidence that three priests in separate incidents stole church collections, impregnated a married parishioner and collected homosexual pornography. The Rev. James R. Haley says he was suspended by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde after blowing the whistle on the three priests in the Diocese of Arlington, The Washington Times has learned. "I believe that he's trying to strangle me out of the church," Father Haley testified in a civil lawsuit. He is barred from revealing any evidence of priestly wrongdoing to law-enforcement authorities or the public under a canonical "penal precept" issued by the bishop in October 2001.

The lawsuit was filed by a parishioner whose wife was impregnated by a Catholic pastor of a Manassas church.

Bishop Loverde, who declined repeated requests for interviews, declined to say why he took away Father Haley's priestly faculties, saying an explanation "would require the diocese to discuss detailed private matters involving him." "Father Haley has his own issues and in conjunction with him they are being addressed canonically. It would simply not be appropriate for the diocese to discuss these matters," the diocese said in a statement.

Bishop Loverde's handling of the incidents follows in the wake of lay questioning of the way American bishops have dealt with priests who violate their vows of celibacy. Last month, the Vatican declined to approve the U.S. bishops' plan for disciplining errant priests. Vatican spokesmen called the plan adopted in June by U.S. Roman Catholic bishops gathered in Dallas to address, primarily, the problem of priests sexually abusing children, too ambiguous and "difficult to reconcile" with church law.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, meeting this week in Washington on the sex-abuse policy, has declined to look into the Haley matter. On Oct. 10, Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleview, Ill., head of the bishops' conference, denied Father Haley's appeal to review evidence that he brought to Bishop Loverde over the past four years and the priest's charges of retaliation.

Mark E. Chopko, general counsel of the bishops' conference, says the body did not have jurisdiction to investigate Father Haley's retaliation charges. "In the church, it is a matter that exists solely between Father Haley and Bishop Loverde," Mr. Chopko said in a letter to the priest's attorney, Gregory L. Murphy of Alexandria.

Father Haley, 46, says the bishop did not act on the information he disclosed. The scandals involved:

•The Rev. James A. Verrecchia, 45, former pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, who he said carried on a yearlong sexual affair with the wife of a parishioner, Jim A. Lambert, and impregnated her in late December 1999. Mr. Verrecchia married Nancy Lambert the following year. Father Haley was subpoenaed to testify in a civil lawsuit brought by Mr. Lambert, who charged that Arlington Diocese's cover-up prevented him from winning custody of his three children. The lawsuit was dismissed in August.

•The Rev. William J. Erbacher, 55, former pastor of St. Lawrence Catholic Church on Franconia Road in Fairfax County who, according to Father Haley's July deposition, embezzled from church collections and collected homosexual pornography. Since last month, he has been at St. Stephen the Martyr in Middleburg, Va., where he is said to be "assisting the pastor."

•The Rev. Daniel E. Hamilton, 59, former pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Fredericksburg, who had an extensive collection of bondage pornography kept at the rectory. Father Hamilton resigned two months ago, after a judge refused to seal Father Haley's deposition.

Several priests in the diocese, speaking on the condition of anonymity, say the bishop is "angry" that Father Haley "invaded privacy rights" of Father Verrecchia, the woman with whom he was having an affair, and Fathers Erbacher and Hamilton.

Parishioners at Virginia churches where Father Haley has served since 1987 expressed shock and concern over his suspension. "He's very holy, and that's his problem," said Marie K. Shaughnessy of McLean, a parishioner at St. John's Catholic Church, where Father Haley was assistant pastor from 1995 to 1997. "He doesn't budge from the straight and narrow. He doesn't accommodate."

When seeking a pastor position at Our Lady of Hope in Sterling, Father Haley told the bishop that Father Verrecchia was having an adulterous affair with a married woman he was counseling for marital difficulties. Father Haley said he found Father Verrecchia and the woman together at 1:30 a.m. in a darkened rectory office, according to diocese and Arlington County court records. After the encounter, the woman complained in a letter to the bishop that Father Haley had asked parishioners "about my personal life."

The bishop then transferred Father Haley as assistant pastor to St. Lawrence in July 1999. Upon Father Haley's transfer to St. Lawrence, according to his deposition, he was told by Father Erbacher that there was a network of "gay priests" within the diocese, including Father Erbacher himself and the bishop's chancellor, the Rev. Robert J. Rippy. "I had no idea of the interconnections of all this until I lived with Father Erbacher," Father Haley testified. "I never knew that a diocese or bishop would knowingly ordain a homosexual man."

In February 2001, Father Haley talked to Bishop Loverde about Father Erbacher's disclosures of a homosexual network of priests. In another meeting, June 6, 2001, Father Haley set out what he said were details of Father Erbacher's library of homosexual pornography and evidence that he was stealing from church collections.

He gave the bishop photographs of pouches containing thousands of dollars of cash, stored in Father Erbacher's bedroom closet, and the priest's personal bank records showing deposits averaging more than $99,240 per year, 5½ times his annual income as a pastor. More than half the deposits were in cash.

Father Haley was transferred to St. Mary's in Fredericksburg three weeks after he sent the bishop the evidence about Father Erbacher's finances. The diocese began an internal investigation of the St. Lawrence theft accusations after it discovered "substantial financial irregularities" at another parish.

At St. Mary's, a maid told Father Haley that Father Hamilton had large quantities of homosexual pornography in his room, said Mr. Murphy, Father Haley's attorney. Father Haley asked the bishop for another transfer or leave of absence for "discernment" to find another diocese, Mr. Murphy says. The bishop refused in a letter Oct. 8, 2001. "I would direct that you remain as a parochial vicar at the church of St. Mary in Fredericksburg while continuing your initial discernment with your spiritual director," the bishop wrote.

Angered, Father Haley confronted the bishop Oct. 16, 2001, with "factual self-incriminating evidence on Father Hamilton's completely outrageous sexual addiction" in a further effort to be moved out of the rectory. "And at the end of the meeting, which was basically a slide show of the pictures of his incredible collection [of pornography], the bishop told me that I had better watch out, that I did not know what he was capable of doing," Father Haley testified.

A week later, Bishop Loverde summoned Father Haley to Arlington, gave him four hours to move out of the rectory and into a hotel in Fredericksburg, and ordered him not to return to the rectory without an escort. He stripped the priest of his faculties, which authorize him to wear a clerical collar, say Mass, take confessions, and perform baptisms and funerals.

In a series of "decrees" dated Oct. 23, 2001, the bishop also expelled Father Haley from any diocese post and gagged him with the canonical penal precept. Under the suspension, Father Haley has been denied church housing for the past year and restricted to monthly pay of about $2,000 for housing and all other expenses. He is living in a house trailer in Northern Virginia.

Bishop Loverde agreed only to answer written questions from The Times. Chancellor Rippy did not respond to questions nor requests for an interview. "Bishop Loverde takes very seriously any credible allegation of misconduct on the part of a diocesan priest, employee or volunteer. [He] has not and will not punish anyone for bringing him a concern or complaint." Regarding the bishop's action concerning Fathers Verrecchia, Erbacher and Hamilton, the diocese said: The bishop "confronted Father Verrecchia with the information [about his adulterous affair] and eventually ordered him to break all contact with the person with whom he had a questionable relationship. Father Verrecchia is no longer serving as a priest in the diocese."

The diocese accepted the resignation of Father Erbacher after receiving the results of an "independent forensic financial audit and a psychological evaluation." It said the bishop confronted Father Hamilton about the pornography, and he was sent for a "psychological evaluation and is no longer the pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Va." The bishop did not comment on Father Erbacher's role at St. Stephen the Martyr in Middleburg and declined to comment on the treatment of Father Erbacher and Father Haley. He said the diocese does not discuss personnel matters.

Mr. Murphy says Bishop Loverde's assertion that he had addressed Father Haley's complaints was a "blatant lie." The bishop's "duplicity has no boundaries," Mr. Murphy says. "His response was keep it quiet, move [Father Haley] around, and when he was forced to testify in legal proceedings, he silenced him."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More from the lovely diocese of Arlington:

Priest Refuses Communion to Kneeling Pro-Life Politician Calls Pro-Life Delegate a "Conservative Idiot"

ARLINGTON, VA, October 10, 2002 (LSN of Canada) - Honorable Richard Black, member of the Virginia House of Delegates and a heroic defender of life and family in the state legislature, was refused Holy Communion at Arlington's St. Thomas More Cathedral. On September 22, the Cathedral Rector, Fr. Dominic Irace, refused to give Communion to Delegate Black since Black was kneeling to receive. Fr. Irace told him he must stand to receive, but Black chose to rather to genuflect and withdraw.

In a letter of concern to Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde, Catholic pro-life activist Dr. Joseph Strada, wrote: "This affront to Delegate Black, and his family, is doubly shameful because Delegate Black is, without question, the most courageous defender of the innocent unborn on the floor of the House of Delegates in Richmond. One has to wonder if Fr. Irace would have been so bold as to refuse Holy Communion to Senator Ted Kennedy or other militantly pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians who regularly attend Mass in Arlington churches."

After Mass, and in the presence of Black's wife and daughter as well as other faithful, Fr. Irace shouted insults to Delegate Black as he exited the Cathedral. When Delegate Black tried to avoid Fr. Irace, pointing out that he had refused him Holy Communion, Fr. Irace shouted "you liar!" several times. As Delegate Black left the Cathedral, Fr. Irace loudly called him a "conservative idiot."

In an interview with LifeSite, Delegate Black said that while he has been under tense situations in combat for his country and in the war-like political realm, he was concerned for other faithful Catholics who may be intimidated by Fr. Irace.

The fact that you were once a Catholic gives you no special cachet or competency to comment, and doesn't require us to pay one whit of extra attention to what you say.

You SELF-RIGHTEOUS PRIG!

How DARE you tell ANYONE they have no right to say ANYTHING! You who will wear blinders to the GATES of HELL in defense of these blasphemous PEDOPHILES and PERVERTS in the collar!

Stick to harassing some shock-jocks...you look less foolish and evil that way.

Thank JimRob that personal insults and profanity are taboo here, else you would be squirming right about now ....

Bias is simply the rational process on reaching conclusions based upon the prior acts of the similarly disposed.

In my experience, the RCC is institutionally corrupt at the top, and the most ardent defenders and apologists for the corruption are those who defer the most to that hierchial authority - that is to say, conservative or traditional Catholics. As such, that is what colors my statements.

You'd defend the actions of the Borgias, considering the effective way you've cleared out the criminals from your house.

How many prelates have been relieved over reassigning molesters?

Your links demonstrate nothing regarding the Diocese of Arlington. The "Dignity" (homosexualist) link refers to "Immanuel Church on the Hill" in Alexandria. This is an Episcopal church. I hope to see "Chancelor Palpatine" ranting and raving about the evil corruption in the Episcopal Church. If he has any integrity at all, he will do so. The "Courage" link is an email address for a person in Virginia Beach. This is in the Diocese of Richmond.

Perhaps it is WE who should be telling you and YOUR ilk that YOU have nothing to add, nor any right to add it; since you allow these Perverts to permeate YOUR beloved Church...and thereby damage the very fabric of community and society!

We allow nothing of the sort. WE do not choose the leaders. We can ask, request and pray, but there is no popular vote. These scandals hurt us far worse than they do any of you. And leaving rather than staying to fight the darkness accomplishes nothing.

Those who attack the church generally have an ax to grind which has nothing to with the faith as most who do attack it cannot even explain why they are doing so. It always seems to me that it really has more to do with envy and resentment.

And Campion expressed some of the frustration we all feel when people who have abandoned the faith attack it.

Des, I have a couple of priest-acquaintances in Arlington. Suffice it to say that Loverde is regarded as "a Bishop", no more, no less. Little enthusiasm for the guy, but no real animosity from these men I know.

I'll make a couple of calls. While the Bish is really the Emperor of his territory and it sounds as though Fr. Haley tossed a few grenades without permission, it still smells a bit.

Back when I can on this.

...and the most ardent defenders and apologists for the corruption are those who defer the most to that hierchial authority - that is to say, conservative or traditional Catholics.

Huh? Part of the faith is to follow leaders. Many more conservatives question the current leadership than not.

You'd defend the actions of the Borgias, considering the effective way you've cleared out the criminals from your house.

Have you seen anyone defend the Borgias? Accept that this is part of history - yes. Defend - no. The criminals ARE being cleared out (albeit at church speed). Now, if we could figure out a way to convince the pope to replace Mahoney....

How many prelates have been relieved over reassigning molesters?

One tried to resign and was refused, which was a bad move. One did resign. Most of the rest are actually dead.

And Campion expressed some of the frustration we all feel when people who have abandoned the faith attack it.

To paraphrase Ronaldus Magnus...
"I didn't leave the Catholic Church, It left ME!"

Homosexual priests ALLOWED...Vatican II...pedophiles moved from parish to parish to inflict MORE misery and trauma on INNOCENT children, without parishoners aware of what they are harboring...The Lavender Mafia in virtual control of the RCC...

And you have the GAUL to reply...
Those who attack the church generally have an ax to grind which has nothing to with the faith as most who do attack it cannot even explain why they are doing so. It always seems to me that it really has more to do with envy and resentment.

Are you REALLY staying and fightig as long as you keep stuffing money in the coffers? As long as you keep up such drivel as "It's only a small fraction of Priests who are bad"? When Cardinal Bernie Law KEEPS his job after doing the damage he has done to the Boston Dioscese?

"The fish rots from the head down" was Dukakis' mantra....the DemonRats and the RCC PROVE this aphorism.

Here is Bishop Loverde's contact info:

Diocese of Arlington
Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde
200 N. Glebe Road, Suite 704
Arlington, VA 22203
703-841-2500 FAX: 703-524-5028

Also:

The Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo
Apostolic Nuncio
3339 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
202-333-7121 FAX: 202-337-4036

Homosexual priests ALLOWED...

No, liberals just did it and didn't ask anyone's permission.

Are you REALLY staying and fightig as long as you keep stuffing money in the coffers?

Actually, I never really did. I put money in the plate and for secfic things, but that's not my biggest contribution. My gift is in another form - which is being withheld until the music improves.

The Lavender Mafia in virtual control of the RCC...

I know you're not going to believe me, but I think their grip is nowhere close to as tight as it used to be (and they don't want to admit it). The people have had enough and are speaking up more. In Milwaulkee, Dolan's popularity is at rock-star level (he's REALLY a good guy). Law actually is orthodox and, according to more than one freeper, is really suffering. My archbishop and the the one in Chicago aren't lavender at all. And we all agree mahoney needs to go...

And, yes there are chips on shoulders - on all sides - and it does come out. We just get tired and frustrated because we are watching all the faults of our beloved faith exploited for those who wish to destroy and belittle it. Please, forgive us for being defensive. It's been a tough year.

Cardinal Ratzinger, as Prefect for the Congreation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote the following in his Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Patoral Care of Homosexual Persons (1986):

The Bishops are asked to exercise special care in the selection of pastoral ministers so that by their own high degree of spiritual and personal maturity and by their fidelity to the Magisterium, they may be of real service to homosexual persons, promoting their health and well-being in the fullest sense. Such ministers will reject theological opinions which dissent from the teaching of the Church and which, therefore, cannot be used as guidelines for pastoral care....
All support should be withdrawn from any organizations which seek to undermine the teaching of the Church, which are ambiguous about it, or which neglect it entirely. Such support, or even the semblance of such support, can be gravely misinterpreted....

Any bishop -- including my own -- who allows his priests or priests within his jurisdiction to give sacramental succor to Dignity, whether in a Catholic Church or otherwise, is in violation of the CDF's directive to withdraw "all support" from this dissident group.

Courage, on the other hand, is not a dissident group; in fact, to my knowledge, it is the only ministry to Catholics with same-sex attraction approved by the Pontifical Council for the Family. Local Courage chapters are listed on the Courage website only when approved by the local ordinaries. As you rightly pointed out, the Bishop of Arlington has not approved a local Courage chapter.

Unfortunately, it is utterly counter-productive to write/phone the papal pro-nuncio. The papal pro-nuncio collaborates with bishops when the flock complain. Essentially, the papal pro-nuncio uses your message like a bomerang - send him a message and you should expect that an exact copy will be sent to the bishop you are complaining about. Any Catholic who thinks he can send the papal pro-nuncio private information regarding misconduct in his diocese should anticipate that the bishop will know have everything that you gave the pro-nuncio.

Concur. I can find no evidence, however, that actual Catholic Priests are involved with "dignity" in Northern Virginia. I have found evidence of people claiming to be ordained in such schismatic groups as the self so-called "Liberal Catholic church" being involved, and using Episcopal and Presbyterian facilities for their activities. These people call their activities "Mass" or "Liturgy", but they are not Catholic. If you have evidence of actual Catholic Priests in NoVa participating in "Dignity" activities, please post it.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.