tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.comments2023-04-24T10:58:04.691-04:00The Monk who Stole the CowJack Keoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17382043901379998330noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-16754729524567074702016-04-12T11:40:59.860-04:002016-04-12T11:40:59.860-04:00Jack, very well written! I too, at first, wanted t...Jack, very well written! I too, at first, wanted the Legion to succeed. I doubt if it's possible as form the very beginning they play fast and easy with the truth! Br. Thomas Gleason was in the second group of Postulants in 1967. He died in September of that year on a hike. We never went back to that State Park because our Rector, Fr.Ramiro Fernandez LC thought it too dangerous and brought back too many bad memories. My father went to the funeral in Philadelphia. He asked me if I wanted to join him but I hate funerals so I declined. Funny how just two years later I would join them all in Woodmont, the Poli Mansion on Long Island Sound in Ct.!<br /> We read Tom's diary in the Postulancy always trying to figure out who were Fr.N and Bro.N who Tom had trouble with. I think I know now as I had trouble with both too...Those were fun days full of optimism and idealism. <br /><br /> What really annoyed me and made me see the Legion in a different light were the lies told about me and others who left! Until the Legion learns to face the truth and make Superiors from more saintly people rather than from blind yes men I don't see their being exceptional or as we were let to believe: called from all eternity to save the Church!<br />Keith Kellernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-71507807865259559322015-09-21T20:18:08.279-04:002015-09-21T20:18:08.279-04:00As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s ...As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s I was fortunate enogh to meet Fr. Hugh Ryan who , on more than one occasion helped me during the most difficult time in my life... He never judged me or treated me as most other people did...I was homeless, unemployed, and had been on the brink of suicide. Fr. Hugh Ryan was the man who took the time to genuinely listen to my story. I really do dread to think where I would have ended up if it was not for this extremely dedicated legionnaire. In my opinion now... 20 years later.. The legion has had a major blow to its reputation which came about by the actions of a very very small minority. Please DO NOT FORGET ALL THE GOOD THAT THESE AMAZING PEOPLE HAVE MADE. I owe Fr. Hugh Ryan a debt that I can never repay. MY LIFE.. And everything that I have achieved. I have now got a decent standard of living and four beautiful children. These are things that I never would have had without the time and effort that Fr. Hugh gave to me. ..Anthony Dublin Ireland. God bless.Anthony grennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034214613964877054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-61583754658856451372015-09-21T20:17:38.805-04:002015-09-21T20:17:38.805-04:00As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s ...As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s I was fortunate enogh to meet Fr. Hugh Ryan who , on more than one occasion helped me during the most difficult time in my life... He never judged me or treated me as most other people did...I was homeless, unemployed, and had been on the brink of suicide. Fr. Hugh Ryan was the man who took the time to genuinely listen to my story. I really do dread to think where I would have ended up if it was not for this extremely dedicated legionnaire. In my opinion now... 20 years later.. The legion has had a major blow to its reputation which came about by the actions of a very very small minority. Please DO NOT FORGET ALL THE GOOD THAT THESE AMAZING PEOPLE HAVE MADE. I owe Fr. Hugh Ryan a debt that I can never repay. MY LIFE.. And everything that I have achieved. I have now got a decent standard of living and four beautiful children. These are things that I never would have had without the time and effort that Fr. Hugh gave to me. ..Anthony Dublin Ireland. God bless.Anthony grennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034214613964877054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-20668887765405448622015-09-21T20:16:36.145-04:002015-09-21T20:16:36.145-04:00As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s ...As an adolescent in Dublin during the early 1990s I was fortunate enogh to meet Fr. Hugh Ryan who , on more than one occasion helped me during the most difficult time in my life... He never judged me or treated me as most other people did...I was homeless, unemployed, and had been on the brink of suicide. Fr. Hugh Ryan was the man who took the time to genuinely listen to my story. I really do dread to think where I would have ended up if it was not for this extremely dedicated legionnaire. In my opinion now... 20 years later.. The legion has had a major blow to its reputation which came about by the actions of a very very small minority. Please DO NOT FORGET ALL THE GOOD THAT THESE AMAZING PEOPLE HAVE MADE. I owe Fr. Hugh Ryan a debt that I can never repay. MY LIFE.. And everything that I have achieved. I have now got a decent standard of living and four beautiful children. These are things that I never would have had without the time and effort that Fr. Hugh gave to me. ..Anthony Dublin Ireland. God bless.Anthony grennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034214613964877054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-51403346096183923932014-03-13T11:23:48.299-04:002014-03-13T11:23:48.299-04:00Jack,
Is there an email where I can reach you? I c...Jack,<br />Is there an email where I can reach you? I can´t find where to send you a direct email. I can leave my email address in another comment if needed. Let me know. Thanks. Meanwhile I enter this as anonymous...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-18401981177895251132013-04-06T23:38:56.444-04:002013-04-06T23:38:56.444-04:00Hello Mr. Keogh,
I don't know how to contact ...Hello Mr. Keogh,<br /><br />I don't know how to contact you directly so thought I would try this way. As a child in the 1970s I would be picked up at my church in Milford CT as would several other boys and be driven to the property in Orange CT. At some point I would like to ask you some questions.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.huss417https://www.blogger.com/profile/07565131989346154184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-48793803118538058482012-10-19T22:45:35.616-04:002012-10-19T22:45:35.616-04:00Nearly 6 months ago, the "public" learne...Nearly 6 months ago, the "public" learned of Fr. Williams' transgressions. Then, as now, I am saddened for him and for his family. My heart aches for him and for those he has hurt. <br /><br />I am currently reading your delightful book, "Driving Straight on Crooked Lines". Wow. I hope to finish the book this weekend -- it is an easy read that is not easy to put down. With each turned page, I cannot help but wonder how similar Fr. Williams' experiences were. He entered the LC about the time you left. Had anything changed? As often as he was in NYC for television appearances, was he allowed to visit his family in Michigan? Or, was there still a limit on family contact? <br /><br />As I read your book, and think about Fr. Williams, I pray he is, in fact, in Michigan with his parents. I pray they are deprogramming him from the brainwashing. I pray he can find happiness and tranquility -- peace. <br /><br />And, you know, maybe someday down the road, Fr. Williams will write his own memoir so his public knows he healed and is OK. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-32983917705432993692012-10-09T16:52:45.024-04:002012-10-09T16:52:45.024-04:00haiti?haiti?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-46736197592837008302012-06-19T13:36:06.150-04:002012-06-19T13:36:06.150-04:00I agree with Anonymous, good analysis.
Hyde's...I agree with Anonymous, good analysis.<br /><br />Hyde's book is personal favorite of mine and still relevant today. I think we are afraid of admitting the good points of other ideologies, thinking that this would validate their whole belief system. I personally think the Mormon faith is wrong on most points of theology, even dangerous to some degree, but I also believe there is alot to admire and mimic in their devotion to promoting family values and evangelization. Not that Catholics should do exactly as they are doing, but take what is good and use it for something even better.<br /><br />The Catholic Church is full of examples like this. Symbols such as Easter eggs and Christmas trees were taken from pagan practices and "christianized" for a better purpose.<br /><br />The old adage "Even a broken clock is right twice a day" comes to mind here.pomannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-87727009093768994322012-06-11T01:54:48.782-04:002012-06-11T01:54:48.782-04:00Excellent blog -- I just discovered it while searc...Excellent blog -- I just discovered it while searching for info about the Cristeros War.<br /><br />But I question your assessment of reactions to Fr. Williams' "fall." True enough, cases like this spur many to a judgmental and puritanical attitude. And at a human level I do empathize with anyone who fails in the sexual arena.<br /><br />But I also think we have no keep in mind the seriousness of what Fr. Williams has done.<br /><br />--He not only fathered a child, but he denied his own child's existence.<br />--At the same time he relentlessly promoted himself as a public spokesman for the Church and LC.<br />--And on top of all that, he also continued to present himself as a teacher of morals and the spiritual life, even going so far, as you noted, to write books purporting to tell people how to discern right from wrong.<br /><br />The hypocrisy and the heartlessness of this course of action are truly breathtaking. What man with an ounce of moral decency would not turn to his superiors and say, if nothing else, that he simply could not continue in his public role? Assuming Fr. Williams' child is still in fact a child, what did Fr. Williams suppose -- that the child would never know his father? Or that the child would be content knowing his own existence must be kept secret?<br /><br />As a child abandoned by my own father, I frankly have no room for sympathy with a man who does this sort of thing.<br /><br />And the fact that he did it as an LC priest!! Astounding ... truly astounding. Can anyone seriously deny that Fr. Williams must have learned well the lessons taught by his cult's founder? -- And by this I mean the implicit lessons of secrecy, hypocrisy, and deception Maciel taught in order to protect his own demonic lifestyle.Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06442675205654334625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-21572674115890974332012-06-08T18:43:39.145-04:002012-06-08T18:43:39.145-04:00Parece que también puedes encontrar la línea roja ...Parece que también puedes encontrar la línea roja del Evangelio como lo hicieron lo de la Teología de la Liberación en latinoamérica, MonkRojillonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-41451846479461366312012-06-07T18:30:53.250-04:002012-06-07T18:30:53.250-04:00Very good analysis, Monk.
There are matches in th...Very good analysis, Monk. <br />There are matches in the same edges. Respectfully, there are biblical numerology matches too, that are just fantasy. <br />It's obvious That Maciel taken more thoughts from disciplinary seminar from the Jesuits and Moctezuma. <br />The first results must be improved by early legionaries because he was always traveling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-58406426884906983352012-06-05T08:40:34.936-04:002012-06-05T08:40:34.936-04:00The church has cancer and it is probably metastati...The church has cancer and it is probably metastatic. It is time for the laypeople to take the church back from the corrupt, infighting, doddering old men who invoke the name of Christ in public and shed no light on their conduct in the dark.Ricardo Stonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-10391648711943405972012-05-31T11:40:09.996-04:002012-05-31T11:40:09.996-04:00Anonymous @ May 30, 2012 8:36 PM
I totally agree ...Anonymous @ May 30, 2012 8:36 PM<br /><br />I totally agree with the points you make in your second paragraph.<br /><br />With regard to the seven accused priests, it appears the cases date from decades past. They were not accused just before the William's case - they were reported to the CDF. Hopefully they will be subjected to a full, fair and transparent process. It's very troubling that these cases are only coming to light now.I would not be surprised if some of them may not have been among Maciel's victims.<br /><br />Maybe these latest scandals are a portent that the shaded windows of the LC are being opened up to let in some winds of change to blow the remnants of the founder's legacy away. We can only hope and pray.The Monknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-22348646562037992012-05-31T11:31:13.073-04:002012-05-31T11:31:13.073-04:00Eduardo, I'm glad you found the post useful. N...Eduardo, I'm glad you found the post useful. No doubt the LC has behaved as a cult. The management of Fr. W's case demonstrates a tremendous lack of judgement and a disconnect from reality. I hope good comes from the suffering of all those involved.The Monknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-66894825825659456692012-05-30T20:36:59.967-04:002012-05-30T20:36:59.967-04:00I found your blog late -- Thank you for your incre...I found your blog late -- Thank you for your incredible insight. I am not Catholic. I am (present tense) a fan of Fr. Williams with several of his books on my bookshelf. My heart breaks for him and his family -- all of his family.<br /><br />I do note that on ALL of the blogs I have read, not one person mentions the possibility that he relinquished his parental rights and the mother and child have moved forward. She, possibly, has married and her husband, possibly, has adopted the child. Most bloggers, and those commenting, think Fr. Williams should suddenly appear in the child's life and become his/her dad. Has anyone thought about the ramifications and harm that would do to the child? It seems the child is not a baby -- possibly nearing his/her teenage years. There are so many unknowns in this story that are NONE of our business. We must pray for all concerned and hope they have made, and will make, the best decisions.<br /><br />Another observation: If seven priests were accused of pedophilia the week before Fr. Williams' transgressions were made public, why have their names not been in the news??? They are the criminals. They are the priests who should be strung up by their toe nails. It is their names that should be all over the media. If Fr. Williams and his family must endure the public embarrassment of him acknowledging that he fell in love and brought a beautiful life into this world, why do the criminals escape public scrutiny?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-86767014844151468232012-05-22T20:45:02.935-04:002012-05-22T20:45:02.935-04:00This is a wonderfully insightful post.
However,...This is a wonderfully insightful post. <br /><br />However, I think there is one key connection you fail to make. You ask a series of questions, starting with "Why was he allowed to continue teaching and preaching for so long after conceiving a child?" I think it is obvious that a large part of the answer is that LC is a cult, and this is how cults behave. <br /><br />--eduardo montezAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-3915096902198761272012-05-18T06:26:47.275-04:002012-05-18T06:26:47.275-04:00Not sure how many times this has been said on Life...Not sure how many times this has been said on Life-After-RC and other blogs but strike another prophetic moment for former LC Fr. Frances Snell (aka Changobeer): <br /><br />"No one believes either, that the present leadership of the LC can reform or save the congregation because you are (we are!) what we will always be: hijos fieles del P.Maciel...<br /><br />"What will ultimately make the LC crumble, what has caused the insufferable state of inner tension and foreboding in her rank and file is, quite frankly, the lack of credibility of its leadership."<br /><br />http://changobeer.blogspot.ca/2009/03/if-salt-loses-its-taste.html<br /><br />Pray for everyone involved! With Pentecost approaching, let us pray to the Holy Spirit! Pray especially that He comfort the victims of LC/RC and that He provide Pope Benedict and Cardinal DeP with the wisdom to fix this situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-35187026558853117892012-05-17T19:53:00.183-04:002012-05-17T19:53:00.183-04:00It is a good analysis, but i belive it is too radi...It is a good analysis, but i belive it is too radical. <br />If the superiors have so much responsibility, neither Santa Teresa, or St. Francis or St. Ignatius of Loyola or Santo Domingo, with all the experience as a founders or reformers, from this viewpoint, none could rule the congregation today. <br />I think it is important to believe that God has allowed its development with the help of many people in good faithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-76198186723239339882012-05-16T11:08:45.752-04:002012-05-16T11:08:45.752-04:00Monk, thanks again for a thoughful and balanced in...Monk, thanks again for a thoughful and balanced insight, once again. I've pretty much quit reading most blogs, but yours I still go to immediately. I like that you never shy away from legitimate criticism, but do so with a good dose of humility and charity.<br /><br />As someone who has been in RC for awhile, and continues to be, this is a tough blow. I expect to see ripple effects in the membership. Some will leave out of disillusionment, and some out of fatigue. Ultimately, we need to pray for Fr. Thomas, the mother and child, and all whose faith is being affected.pomannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-11637335554011427052012-05-16T00:10:53.678-04:002012-05-16T00:10:53.678-04:00I would never hope for my sins to be known by all ...I would never hope for my sins to be known by all either. I hope you hold this sentiment every time you hear about the fall of any public figure - actor, athlete, politician. <br /><br />Fr TW is a public figure, known for speaking and writing about matters of morality. We held him up as a moral authority and spiritual guide. Learning about his moral indiscretions is therefore very compelling. It's like a pro athlete, admired for his skill and sportsmanship, later revealed to be involved in steroid use, or gambling. It is shocking. This is what we do when our heroes let us down. We talk about it. <br /><br />If we're going to preach at people about how they ought to respond to the shameful revelations about Fr TW, we better be prepared to respond in a Christian manner every time a public figures stumbles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-10327254998947489692012-05-15T23:19:05.544-04:002012-05-15T23:19:05.544-04:00What Fr. Williams did is obviously wrong and a gre...What Fr. Williams did is obviously wrong and a great scandal to both the Legion and the Church. Yet I empathize with Fr. Williams and his parents and siblings - I would never want my sins to be known by all, much less by my immediate family. What a terrible burden that would be. That burden is certainly part of his punishment, but it remains a terrible burden nonetheless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-34835949192462108422012-05-15T21:39:47.175-04:002012-05-15T21:39:47.175-04:00I agree this situation is very sad. It's alway...I agree this situation is very sad. It's always sad to see a priest suffer such a humiliation. The scandal is yet another blow to the Church. <br /><br />It would be interesting Monk if you could offer an organizational perspective on how this was handled/could have been handled. <br /><br />I agree that we are all weak. However, it's hard not to focus on the hypocrisy of a moral theologian who has written books such as "Knowing Right From Wrong". I know when I suffer humiliation, I usually have to concede it was deserved/necessary. If Fr TW is feeling shame, maybe it's just what he needs, and God knows it and has allowed it. Maybe he'll emerge from this crisis a better man and priest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-20346917884191771642012-05-15T19:43:08.426-04:002012-05-15T19:43:08.426-04:00thank you for this balanced insight. We are all we...thank you for this balanced insight. We are all weak, and there is never a time for 'see I told you so' as some over on Life After RC are jumping to. I heard once 'after you sin the devil tries to give you back your shame, yet to get you to sin he takes shame away.' God bless all of us involved in LC/RC, past, present and future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006673250886122803.post-19887908739240750392012-05-12T09:45:22.093-04:002012-05-12T09:45:22.093-04:00Jack, Good on you for putting up the various stati...Jack, Good on you for putting up the various statistics. While accepting the fact that clergy have abused here in Ireland, I have always been concerned by the over concentration on clergy as abusers. I felt this helped hide other more rampant sources of abuse. While I worked as a psychotherapist I met many people who were abused, however I had never met anybody abused by clergy until I started working with homeless people. Even there caution had to be observed as I came across people claiming abuse who had never been abused - but the financial payout was worth it.<br /><br />God Bless<br /><br />SeamusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com