Comments on: Update: What happened at St. James

By: A disgusted Catholic

A disgusted Catholic — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:23:11 +0000

No one should have any sympathy for this priest! It was Fr. Walter’s responsibility – no one else’s – to get clear information BEFORE the event took place. He is well known for passing on responsibility to some one else, rather than take the blame himself. All he is interested in is money and that is what motivated his decision to allow for such a hideous travesty to take place in church. Is anyone aware of his latest antic? He is forcing the sisters who teach in St. Joseph’s School and who have ministered to the people there for over 85 years to leave at the end of this school year. He didn’t even have the guts to speak directly with the sister who is principal who has given totally of herself to the students and parents for the last 9 years….what a coward!! With the consequences of such a stupid and cruel action, he is going to need a whole lot more than a Rosary and Holy Hour in reparation. This man is a complete idiot and, unfortunately, only another instance of someone who presents himself as a priest, but is the farthest thing from it.

By: Arch. of New York on St. James Scandal « CatholicVoteAction.org

Arch. of New York on St. James Scandal « CatholicVoteAction.org — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:01:37 +0000

[...] Communications for Archdiocese of New York, to an AmP reader Mary Ann’s email prompted by the St. James Church scandal: “Thank you very much for your email concerning the scandalous concert that took place at Saint [...]

By: Mary Ann Bernard

Mary Ann Bernard — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:19:02 +0000

To follow up on this, I did receive a response today from Joseph Zwilling, Director of Communications for Archdiocese of New York, to my email about this on January 25. Here is the text of his response:

“Thank you very much for your email concerning the scandalous concert that took place at Saint James Church.

The Archdiocese has spoken to the priest administrator of the parish, and investigated what happened. He has apologized to the Archdiocese for what took place, but stresses that he was misled by the organizers of the concert who claimed that they were going to have a youth event designed to bring young people back to the Church. That does not in any way excuse what took place, and the priest administrator acknowledges that he was negligent for not fully investigating the group or supervising them on the day of the concert; had he done either of those things, this concert would never have happened.

As a result of what took place, the priest administrator has also apologized to his parish and conducted a Rosary prayer service in reparation for the harm done to the church, the parish, and the faithful.

Please continue to keep Saint James Parish in your prayers, and to pray for all priests serving in parishes that they might be faithful and prudent shepherds to their flocks.

Sincerely,
Joseph Zwilling”

By: Alicia Schwartz

Alicia Schwartz — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:42:22 +0000

I am saddened of the individuals who believe it is ok to desecrate a church and take advantage of our Parish Priest. It is easy for anyone, believing that this is supposed to be a Christian rock concert to fall for such a lie. I forgive my Parish priest, for anyone can be innocent to fall for such a lie. It would have been a great thing if our Parish had had a Christian Rock concert performed by Kutless to bring our youth to its feet. Seeing the amounts of youngsters in the Parish, I believe, we would have benefited. God states we must forgive, we are human and we are bound to make mistakes, no matter what title we have. This is a wakeup call that we are humans and that we must stay vigilant.

By: PROFANACION « Catapulta

PROFANACION « Catapulta — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:31:48 +0000

[...] http://www.catholicvoteaction.org/americanpapist/index.php?p=781 [...]

By: Tweets that mention Update: What happened at St. James « CatholicVoteAction.org -- Topsy.com

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:18:38 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Thomas Peters, Mary Powers. Mary Powers said: RT @americanpapist: New on AmP: Update: What happened at St. James http://bit.ly/9GQnco {Please RT!} [...]

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:15:43 +0000

The Sanctuary should NEVER be used for any other purpose than what it is intended and that is the Sacred Ritual. Concerts, dances, performance, etc., should be done anywhere else but not there.

By: Inomine

Inomine — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:49:08 +0000

This will help to make us all aware of the real purpose for the church sanctuary. God forgive us.

By: You’ll Say, “No Big Deal.” « My Pet Walrus

You’ll Say, “No Big Deal.” « My Pet Walrus — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:49:05 +0000

[...] can follow the saga over at American Papist. There is no reason to hash it all out here. I will leave you with some photographs, and you can [...]

By: Mike M

Mike M — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:34:54 +0000

From what I’ve read, the pastor splits his time between two churches and was at the other church’s rectory.