Posted on 03/06/2014 5:58:58 PM PST by ebb tide
It was with great sorrow that I learned of Dr. Taylor Marshall’s public criticism of me and his allegations concerning affairs at Fisher More College. I am saddened for our students and staff, for our College, for Catholics suffering through this incredible fury of ugliness, and for my wife and children. But I am especially saddened for Dr. Marshall. He was always treated well by the College, by me personally, and by my family, and we will continue to act in charitable consideration of him and his deserving family.
As with all personnel matters, I will not comment publicly on any of the circumstances surrounding Dr. Marshall’s employment and departure. This policy serves to protect any current or former employees, none of whom we wish to see personally harmed by statements that would be necessary to explain and justify our actions. It also serves as a guardian of our own souls, particularly when the devil besets us with the temptation to respond to an injustice by committing one of our own.
Needless to say, the College is obligated to address Dr. Marshall’s puzzling allegations about finances and the real estate transaction involving our campus. We have issued a detailed statement addressing these matters here. While it was disturbing that Dr. Marshall abused his privilege as an ex officio member of the Board, his indiscretion could have been mitigated by fairness and accuracy, rather than being aggravated by misrepresentation. For instance, Dr. Marshall knows that the College originally considered purchasing the real estate by using seller financing, but the Board instructed me to seek different terms from the sellers. Further, he knows that the sellers agreed to a two-year lease with an option to purchase. Finally, he should know that the terms of our lease-purchase-option are so advantageous to the College that, as a result, the sellers (who are not Catholic) are now considered among our most generous benefactors. Anyone experienced in commercial real estate would envy the terms of a transaction he has called crippling. Moreover, I recall no member of the staff being more enthused about our future home than was Dr. Marshall, nor do I recall him ever suggesting a viable alternative to the one that he now claims has crippled us through my personal orchestration.
From his seat in Board meetings, Dr. Marshall should also be familiar with all of the budgets and expenditures that followed the sale of our former campus. In fact, financial issues should have weighed heavy on his mind because fundraising and development were the main duties of a title, office, and job description that he personally requested and confidently assumed. So it is bewildering that he would imply a lack of knowledge or understanding with respect to financial affairs. I am certain that Dr. Marshall knew fully well that our future depended on winning over a donor or small group of donors with the means to finance the mission. I am certain of this because he and I spent many hours discussing both this fact and the fact that time was of the essence.
Missing from his unfortunate public narrative are many other important facts that are now available in our published statement. As we mention therein, Dr. Marshall’s allegations unjustly implicate and calumniate other former colleagues of his on the staff and Board, all of whom treated him well and did nothing to deserve this.
I should hope it goes without saying that a public retraction is in order.
JMJ
STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF FISHER MORE COLLEGE
The Board of Visitors of The College of Saints John Fisher & Thomas More places primary importance on the souls entrusted to its care, including all students, faculty, and staff of the College. The Board is acutely aware that the College faces relentless assault because of the supernatural nature of its mission and its fidelity to the Church.
The current leadership of the College was chosen by the Board of Visitors for a variety of reasons, including personal integrity and business acumen. Tragically, certain individuals with varying degrees of former association with the College have gone on record with statements which either distort the truth or blatantly circumvent it. Many of those statements take the situation with Bishop Olson’s decision of last week and turn that decision into an opportunity to engage in personal attacks against Michael King, President of the College.
The Board continues to have the utmost confidence in Mr. King and his leadership. Despite persistent efforts by any number of parties to assert that Mr. King mismanages the College, lacks integrity, or that he fails in his fidelity to the entirety of the teachings of the Church, those of us on the Board who work shoulder to shoulder with him in this apostolate know that the assertions are blatantly false.
The College’s website details the history of the last two years in full disclosure and with continuing transparency. It is the sincere hope of each member of the Board that discerning minds and well-intentioned souls will review these facts outlined for the record by the College.
The Board gives thanks to all those at the College who labor heroically in this vineyard.
http://fishermore.edu/statement-board-visitors-fisher-college/
bump
An unaccredited “college” with 20 students openly rebels against Christ and His Church. And some anonymous characters on the internet cheer them on.
What the heck did he say.I hate these kind of fights.I am friends with Dr.Marshall on facebook and will read more on this.Thanks Ebb Tide.
Where’s the rebellion? I don’t see one. They offered the new bishop a spiritual bouquet and this is what he gives them in return?
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