Email to Bill O'Reilly

The following is taken from an email sent to national talk show host Bill O'Reilly from a local member of the Catholic church regarding his experiences in dealing with the Archdiocese of Portland regarding the Fr. Ted Prentice affair at St. Mary, Star Of The Sea. tf



Bill,
I know you were very involved in the Boston Archdiocese situation and the poor handling of the scandals.

It seems the Archdiocese of Portland has not learned much since the sex scandals that forced it into bankruptcy. The Daily Astorian on Friday, Jan 30, reported the Clatsop County District Attorney has opened an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities at St Mary, Star of the Sea Parish that appear to involve the Pastor's relationship with a mystery "nun" at the parish. It now transpires that the "nun" is not a nun but a woman with whom the Pastor had a relationship with prior to his entering a seminary in 1998.

It is alleged that they set up a non profit organization called "Nuestro Futuro" (A New Future) and that parish funds in the tens of thousands of dollars were given to this organization. Allegations are that up to half a million dollars, including bequeaths, may be involved.

Parishioners and persons involved with the school tried without success for up to two years to get the Archdiocese to look into these problems. The Archdiocese did nothing. It was not until it was discovered that the Pastor had gone to his family and obtained $23,000 to cover funds he had "borrowed". Last July I personally asked the Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools to look into the financial affairs of the parish school. He actually told me he was tired of the subject and didn't want to talk about it!

The local radio station KAST (Tom Freel) reported in two articles on its website some sordid details pertaining to the Pastor and the "nun". The Archdiocese has actually relieved the Pastor of his financial responsibilities but has unbelievably decided to keep him as Pastor until July or, get this, until he is indicted!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that was the message the Parochial Vicar delivered to the Parish Council on Friday night. Can you imagine going to Mass and having to receive the sacraments from this Pastor under these circumstances? The parish and school are in meltdown.

The priest rebuked the parishioners today from the pulpit and blamed "vindictive" school parents for the his problems. He then amazingly told the congregation that, no, the "nun" really wasn't a nun but she was a "Sister of God" and that the parishioners should not judge their hearts (???????!!!!!!!!!!). People walked out of the church literally in shock. I called the Archdiocesan spokesman, Bud Bunce, and asked him how long the Archdiocese was going to let this go on.

Why doesn't the Archbishop get him out of the parish? He then told me in a condescending manner that there are "procedures" that have to be followed and that I didn't understand Canon Law. I asked if there might be some "procedures" that could be invoked in emergency cases. (There are. See Canon Law 1740 and 1741). He said the Archdiocese is not considering this an emergency case. One wonders what in this Archdiocese would constitute an emergency. Business as usual, I suppose, in Portland. I then said you guys are just begging for O'Reilly to come in on this. He said fine, call O'Reilly, we'll call you a nut.

I then asked him if the Archdiocese was aware of the allegations of the KAST reporter and he said "What allegations"? I said you don't know about the KAST allegations? I asked him what planet are you living on? I said Its all over the town. I then told him of what KAST had reported. While he was telling me that the Archdiocese was doing everything it could on the matter he wasn't even aware of the explosive nature of these allegations. I said you've got to be kidding. He then said "We don't pay attention to stuff like that". Then he hung up on me. ( I'll admit I was very agitated with his blasé attitude).

Bill, I'm not making this up. Can you imagine an Archdiocese that just went through hell on the sex scandals allowing something like this to play out the way it is doing now? I'm the grandparent of students in the school and a member of the neighboring parish. My admission of this to Mr. Bunce elicited a remark to the effect that it was then none of my business. I know this is about a small parish in Oregon. But it appears that nothing has hanged here in the Archdiocese of Oregon. I think a harsh dose of sunlight may be necessary.

Read the Astorian article and absolutely read the articles on the KAST website (coastwatch.blogspot.com). If you then have interest, I will gladly fill you in what is going on here and the principals in the matter.

Somebody has to hold these people accountable. The school's teachers may walk out tomorrow. Long time Fourth degree Knights have decided to leave the parish. This story has long, long legs. It is not really about a parish. It is about an Archdiocese. The spirit of Cardinal Law still lives in Oregon.

Jim Welsh


We are told that there will be a meeting at Star Of The Sea School tonight regarding these matters. For details go to www.kast1370.com

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