I met with the bishop this past Thursday.
Bishop DiLorenzo has given me two options:
1. His preference is that I seek a new diocese to serve in.
2. If I choose not to do that, I have to call around the Diocese of Richmond and ask pastors to let me serve with them.
He will not assign me or help me find an assignment. At the moment I don't know what to do. I am praying over it and talking to my spiritual director and friends. I am asking all of you to continue praying with me to help me come to some decision.
Tomorrow, May 17th, I will have been a priest for 23 years. Right now I feel all that I have done the past years as a priest have just been ignored and cast aside. I know my ministry has been valuable, but our bishop doesn't.
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Father Robert,
ReplyDeleteYou have been a good pastor and leader of our parish, you have been there for a lot of people. We will continue to pray for you. Whatever you decide to do, we will back you up.
With all our love prayers.
R and G Jones
Dear Robert, I came upon your blog sort of by chance and I am surprised about what you wrote regarding your meeting with the Bishop....I have not talked to you in a while, but now I hope that you will call me....please. I have always considered you a very special friend. Terry
ReplyDeleteI heard about the way you are being treated. It is unfair. We all make mistakes. I will be writing to the Bishop on your defense. People are crucifying you the same way they did Jesus. I seem to think that they must thrive off of hurting others.I just can't imagine that the Bishop has left you out. He needs a reality check.You are human like the rest of us. No one is perfect. We do need you and will always support you. We will pray harder and God will intervene. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I would like to say that even though we do not attend St. Therese it was not because of you. We left for others reasons.Remember we do support you and will pray for you.
ReplyDeleteFR. Robert,
ReplyDeleteI know that this ordeal has been trying for you. To have devoted 23 years of your life towards preaching and living the word is admirable. Despite the what one person, the bishop, thinks, there are 100s, perhaps 1000s of us who know different.
I can't believe that all of our prayers for you have gone unanswered. Perhaps this is a chance to escape a diocese which has become a challenge for many of us and find one where your gifts will be appreciated and welcomed.
We will continue to keep you in our prayers and I am confident that there is going to be a positive outcome for you but a great loss for us at St. Therese.
To put a bright spot in your future, plan on a trip to Hinche in NOV!
Brooke
Robert, I am stunned that the bishop has negated your ministry in this manner. I suspect that you two have butted heads in the past and that his method of operation is "My way or the highway" in dealing with those under his supervision. You will certainly be in my prayers as God prepares the way for your next ministry. You have gifts that can be used to minister to those who are hurting and wounded by the church hierarchy. Stay strong. Stay close to our Lord as He frees you from the politics of the church and allows you to minister and to be healed from your own woundedness. You have many friends who care about you and want to stay in touch. God bless and keep you. Lady Di
ReplyDeleteFather Robert,
ReplyDeleteWe were sorry to hear the way the bishop is treating you at this trying time. One of the main reasons we stayed at St. Therese after moving to Carrollon was because of you. You have asked us along with the members of our community to serve our church family, and we have grown in many ways. You have also taught and shown us to stand up for what we beleive in even when it is not the popular thing to do. As Catholics we have been taught when we make a mistake and ask for forgivness he forgives. We have also, been taught to forgive people who ask for it. I am sorry to say the bishop has not lead by example in your case. You and many people have made St. Therese what it is today by living and working in Gods image. We know there is a ministry who needs you to teach them, call them to service, change them and guide them the way you have us. We are praying that they find you soon. Christopher Dean and Family
Father, will the Bishop be in town on May 31st? I am not sure I understand his itinerary, it looks like he will be at Jolliff Middle School at 4:00. Perhaps we should make our opinions known in full force while he is here.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful person and a wonderful priest Robert. You have been there for me when I needed you and always helped me to keep a reality check on everything. Know that you have a friend and someone that is praying for you. You may remember me as..."Nick"
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful person and a wonderful priest Robert. You have been there for me when I needed you and always helped me to keep a reality check on everything. Know that you have a friend and someone that is praying for you. You may remember me as..."Nick"
ReplyDeleteFr. Robert,
ReplyDeleteI can't say it any better than those who have already commented.
I am so sorry you are going through this. Your ministry has been valuable; you are very gifted. I will never forget the support you gave to our family over the years.
I, too, will be writing the bishop.
As a librarian, I feel compelled to give him a dictionary when I see him at Confirmation, since he seems to have forgotten what several words mean such as compassion, understanding and forgiveness. Sue Hanrahan
We keep in touch with you through your blog; and pray for you as you go through this road of thorns. If church is a community, and community is a gathering of friends with a particular God present goal, then know that you have many behind you that wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteFr. Robert my prayers are with you. I am from Honolulu, Hawaii and DiLorenzo was here for ten years. He left the Diocese as if wrecked by a hurricane. We had almost no vocations during that time. He trated our priests so badly, he is a bully. Please don't let such a sad man destroy your life.
ReplyDelete