A few weeks ago, I received an email that contained within some comments delivered by Father John Duffy, then the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Uxbridge, Ontario, just northwest of Toronto in the Metropolitan Archdiocese. I do not know Father Duffy, I have never met him, I have had one telephone conversation with him; however, I am told by many that he is a fine man and a faithful priest. There is absolutely no indication on the part of anyone whom I have asked of any malfeasance or deviance on Father's part which may have lead to this current situation. On the contrary is what I've been told. He has been a good steward and faithful in every way. From this montage of photos, it is clear that he was well-treated and respected by his parishioners, or at least most of them.
I have not blogged previously on this matter and I gave no opinion because I did not know where all the facts lay and it would be inappropriate to wade into an internal matter that is active in the Archdiocese of Toronto. However, it is not a private matter anymore since the Archdiocese has released a statement and another blogger made it public in addition to an online petition and request for financial aid.
What I do know is that the priest is in great distress from the actions taken and that there is a confusion of facts. He is also without a home and income. He is near destitute. I am advised that he has been completely cut-off of any means of support. The people of the parish are told that he "retired" yet he states he did not retire and that he was "suspended" without due process. It seems that Father Duffy, for reasons known only to himself, launched a civil action against the Cardinal Archbishop. I am loathe to recommend to any priest any civil litigation against another, I should know given my recent past experience with a certain Toronto cleric, but the fact that a priest would sue his bishop in court s a serious matter. One could ask a simple question; "What was going on that a priest would find himself in such a state that he would have no alternative but to sue his bishop? What would drive a priest to undertake such an action? Why are the people told that he "resigned" as Pastor when he says he has not, and he told me this himself. Why has he been suspended without a hearing and due canonical process? Why has he not been taken care of by the Church that ordained and incardinated him in his own archdiocese?
At a time when the Church in the Archdiocese of Toronto is begging for well over $100,000,000.00 in a "Pastoral Plan," we see the Church here put one of its priests into literal poverty and virtual homelessness as he moves from couch to cot for a bed with whomever will put him up.
This, in itself, is an outrage.
ContraDiction Blog has posted two articles on the matter and if interested, I refer you there.
http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/is-cardinal-thomas-collins-responsible.html
http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/statement-from-archdiocese-of-toronto.html
There is a petition of support and a fundraising attempt for Father Duffy which can be found here. There are people from the parish who have put their names forward in support of this project as can be seen at the site.
What I find curious is that the detractors, though few, are always "anonymous," hiding behind whatever shenanigans they played in the past. The number of people who have put their names to their comments is impressive. Again, I have never heard of one case of malfeasance or perversion on the part of Father Duffy that he should be put in this position. He is owed no less than a fair and just canonical process, something which seems to be denied him.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fair-hearing-for-fr-john-duffy
Let us pray for justice in this matter.
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| Father John Duffy with some friends and parishioners |
What I do know is that the priest is in great distress from the actions taken and that there is a confusion of facts. He is also without a home and income. He is near destitute. I am advised that he has been completely cut-off of any means of support. The people of the parish are told that he "retired" yet he states he did not retire and that he was "suspended" without due process. It seems that Father Duffy, for reasons known only to himself, launched a civil action against the Cardinal Archbishop. I am loathe to recommend to any priest any civil litigation against another, I should know given my recent past experience with a certain Toronto cleric, but the fact that a priest would sue his bishop in court s a serious matter. One could ask a simple question; "What was going on that a priest would find himself in such a state that he would have no alternative but to sue his bishop? What would drive a priest to undertake such an action? Why are the people told that he "resigned" as Pastor when he says he has not, and he told me this himself. Why has he been suspended without a hearing and due canonical process? Why has he not been taken care of by the Church that ordained and incardinated him in his own archdiocese?
At a time when the Church in the Archdiocese of Toronto is begging for well over $100,000,000.00 in a "Pastoral Plan," we see the Church here put one of its priests into literal poverty and virtual homelessness as he moves from couch to cot for a bed with whomever will put him up.
This, in itself, is an outrage.
ContraDiction Blog has posted two articles on the matter and if interested, I refer you there.
http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/is-cardinal-thomas-collins-responsible.html
http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/statement-from-archdiocese-of-toronto.html
There is a petition of support and a fundraising attempt for Father Duffy which can be found here. There are people from the parish who have put their names forward in support of this project as can be seen at the site.
What I find curious is that the detractors, though few, are always "anonymous," hiding behind whatever shenanigans they played in the past. The number of people who have put their names to their comments is impressive. Again, I have never heard of one case of malfeasance or perversion on the part of Father Duffy that he should be put in this position. He is owed no less than a fair and just canonical process, something which seems to be denied him.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fair-hearing-for-fr-john-duffy
Let us pray for justice in this matter.