April 24, 2008

Thank you for the incredible service you are providing to priests, deacons and religious. I have been ordained for twenty five years and am the only remaining member of my ordination class still in priestly ministry, I feel like the definition of last man standing. I have witnessed several of my priest friends and associates suffering unspeakable injustice at the hands of their dioceses, I have seen others dismissed solely on the grounds of unsubstantiated allegations. I have stood by beloved friends as they were dismissed from ministry for a variety of perceived offenses ranging from financial to liturgical, even when their actions were based on compassionate pastoral decisions. I so often feel helpless, disheartened and absolutely vulnerable. I recently finished a term on the Priest Council in the Archdiocese of ########. It was one of the most disheartening experiences in my career.

Your newsletter is a source of light and hope. I am shocked at how few priests are aware of their rights , or even that they have rights. So much of what I have learned from civil and canon lawyers is clearly outlined in your publication. You have provided one of the few rays of hope in the darkness of the last several years. Again, thank you for the work you and your staff are doing. Thank you especially for reaching out to priests in prison. I was deeply moved when I read the article about the 10,000 mile two week trip.

I am enclosing a small donation. I wish I could do more. Money is tight for all of us right now but I did want to lend a bit of support. One request: I have enclosed the mailing label from my newsletter. Would you be so kind as to change my address to my home address as it appears above? Thank you for giving me hope that there are advocates out there.

Sincerely,

(Priest's name removed)