Matt C. Abbott
Priest drops lawsuit against Miami Archdiocese
By Matt C. Abbott
Whistleblower priest Father Andrew Dowgiert, who sued the Archdiocese of Miami alleging wrongful termination and slander, has decided to drop his lawsuit.
The lawsuit, which was dismissed in August 2005 on grounds of separation of church and state, had been on appeal.
Father Dowgiert's main attorney, Sharon Bourassa, issued the following (slightly edited) statement on January 16, 2006:
"Father Andrew Dowgiert has instructed his attorneys to withdraw their appeal of his case. He has lost hope and has stated that his brother priests did not openly speak out against the Archdiocese of Miami for fear of swift retribution from Archbishop Favalora and the current hierarchy. In accordance with Father Dowgiert's directive, his attorneys have voluntarily dismissed the appeal.
"Parishioners do have other options available to them. Numerous other parishes have been in contact with Christifidelis about similar problems in their parishes. Legal remedies do exist for parishioners to challenge their archdiocese or parish priests in court.
"Christifidelis, the group of parishioners supporting Father Dowgiert, has compiled data to send to a canon lawyer for submission to Rome. The data includes information provided to the group from celibate priests of the archdiocese and former priests and seminarians who wish to remain anonymous."
The following is an edited portion of an essay written by Father Dowgiert:
There is a hope in the hearts of Catholics all over the world that Pope Benedict XVI will bring more unity to a divided Catholic Church — a Church that struggles with many problems, from a shortage of priests to the sexual abuse of minors.
There are so many unanswered questions: What direction should we take on social issues involving third-world countries, 'theology of liberation' in South America, and dealing with a sexualized culture involving the use of condoms in Africa to avoid spread of AIDS among poor people?
Benedict XVI was chosen on the second day of the conclave by cardinals who came together in prayer to choose a new pope. There in the Sistine Chapel they prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit; they immersed themselves in prayer while those staying in St. Peter's Square waited for the white smoke.
We have the pope. We have the father of our souls who will look after us, who will give us direction and moral support to work for God in whatever we do in our daily lives. He will teach us morality without shadows of doubt telling exactly what is wrong and what is right.
And we come to our own expectations that are not always those of the Church or of our neighbors. Those of us who are called 'conservatives' would like to see more traditional teaching on many issues, including a return to the Traditional Latin Mass and the restoration of cassocks for priests and habits for nuns as we remember years ago.
Liberals would like to have more power in deciding issues of dogma and morality, including changing the Ten Commandments because some of the Commandments are 'not with the times.'
Whatever your expectations are, don't forget God is your ultimate Judge. He knows what is best for you.
I talked to a friend about the papacy of Benedict XVI. My friend is right in saying that for years, priests who were strong in preaching — even speaking about the devil — were ridiculed by their colleagues for being out of touch with reality and anti-Vatican II.
I remember one occasion when my pastor asked me not to be so strong on the Church's teaching on family because many of our families live in irregular marriages and, well, we might lose money in the collection basket.
At the end of day we have money, but our people don't have salvation.
Related links:
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051003
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051016
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051129
© Matt C. Abbott
Whistleblower priest Father Andrew Dowgiert, who sued the Archdiocese of Miami alleging wrongful termination and slander, has decided to drop his lawsuit.
The lawsuit, which was dismissed in August 2005 on grounds of separation of church and state, had been on appeal.
Father Dowgiert's main attorney, Sharon Bourassa, issued the following (slightly edited) statement on January 16, 2006:
"Father Andrew Dowgiert has instructed his attorneys to withdraw their appeal of his case. He has lost hope and has stated that his brother priests did not openly speak out against the Archdiocese of Miami for fear of swift retribution from Archbishop Favalora and the current hierarchy. In accordance with Father Dowgiert's directive, his attorneys have voluntarily dismissed the appeal.
"Parishioners do have other options available to them. Numerous other parishes have been in contact with Christifidelis about similar problems in their parishes. Legal remedies do exist for parishioners to challenge their archdiocese or parish priests in court.
"Christifidelis, the group of parishioners supporting Father Dowgiert, has compiled data to send to a canon lawyer for submission to Rome. The data includes information provided to the group from celibate priests of the archdiocese and former priests and seminarians who wish to remain anonymous."
The following is an edited portion of an essay written by Father Dowgiert:
There is a hope in the hearts of Catholics all over the world that Pope Benedict XVI will bring more unity to a divided Catholic Church — a Church that struggles with many problems, from a shortage of priests to the sexual abuse of minors.
There are so many unanswered questions: What direction should we take on social issues involving third-world countries, 'theology of liberation' in South America, and dealing with a sexualized culture involving the use of condoms in Africa to avoid spread of AIDS among poor people?
Benedict XVI was chosen on the second day of the conclave by cardinals who came together in prayer to choose a new pope. There in the Sistine Chapel they prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit; they immersed themselves in prayer while those staying in St. Peter's Square waited for the white smoke.
We have the pope. We have the father of our souls who will look after us, who will give us direction and moral support to work for God in whatever we do in our daily lives. He will teach us morality without shadows of doubt telling exactly what is wrong and what is right.
And we come to our own expectations that are not always those of the Church or of our neighbors. Those of us who are called 'conservatives' would like to see more traditional teaching on many issues, including a return to the Traditional Latin Mass and the restoration of cassocks for priests and habits for nuns as we remember years ago.
Liberals would like to have more power in deciding issues of dogma and morality, including changing the Ten Commandments because some of the Commandments are 'not with the times.'
Whatever your expectations are, don't forget God is your ultimate Judge. He knows what is best for you.
I talked to a friend about the papacy of Benedict XVI. My friend is right in saying that for years, priests who were strong in preaching — even speaking about the devil — were ridiculed by their colleagues for being out of touch with reality and anti-Vatican II.
I remember one occasion when my pastor asked me not to be so strong on the Church's teaching on family because many of our families live in irregular marriages and, well, we might lose money in the collection basket.
At the end of day we have money, but our people don't have salvation.
Related links:
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051003
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051016
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/051129
© Matt C. Abbott
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