Michigan roses are blooming in January!
Thursday, January 24th, 2008Just because something is in print, (Michigan roses are blooming in January!) does not make it true. Sometimes stories are printed that are patently false, sometimes they are an exaggeration or embellishment, sometimes they are full of insinuation and innuendo. We need to challenge the validity of what we read. We also need to be on guard against what is “whispered” to us privately but not said publicly for all to hear.
The comments about Father Don in this week’s Saint Dunstan Church bulletin were written with a pen full of spite and self-righteousness. Has the AOD lost all objectivity in matters regarding Father Don? The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2479 states: Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the witness of justice and charity. Detraction is defined as revealing embarrassing truths about another through words or actions, often done with the intention of destroying another’s reputation. Calumny (KAL-uhm-nee) is defined as the unjust and false revelation against another, either through spoken word or publication. Be it detraction or calumny, the continued attacks on Father Don are in conflict with the teachings of the Catholic Faith.
As it is time for healing and regaining trust, the Archdiocese of Detroit should release all their communications with the Garden City Police and the Wayne County Prosecutor so parishioners can have confidence the AOD’s involvement in the Saint Dunstan case was only to seek the facts of the embezzlement, not purposefully destroy a man. If they have nothing to hide, they should open all their records in this case for public review. This is another topic to discuss at our promised townhall meeting.
We are repeatedly told the parish belongs to the people in the pews. In the last four months, with thousands of letters, cards and phone calls, we have clearly stated what outcome we want at Saint Dunstan - the return of Father Don to his parish family. Is anyone at the AOD listening to the people?
