PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES, PSALM 146.3
The atmosphere of Saint Dunstan parish was warm, welcoming and loving under the able stewardship of Father Don. Eleven hundred families flocked to overflowing masses every weekend. There were constant hugs and handshakes, updates on children, grandchildren and friends. As a family we celebrated many happy occasions together and offered our loving support to those experiencing loss and hardship. We were a glowing example of a strong community of faith.
All that however is in the past. The Archdiocese of Detroit has killed our parish family, they have destroyed our church. They have beaten our pastor, battered his reputation and thrown him in a ditch. Like unashamed thieves in the night, they robbed us of the very essence of our religious fellowship. They have left us a building and nothing more. People are even wanting to remove their paving stones from the church garden. It is their home no more.
People did not come from near and far to attend mass at Saint Dunstan because of the stunning architecture. People came to worship at our parish because of the manner in which Father Don was able to consistently convey the Bible’s theme of love and hope in his every Homily. He was a source of inspiration and a conduit to a higher love and greater faith in God.
When there is a death in a family, all cry, feel sadness and know loneliness. In time, with much prayer and reflection, we try to replace our sense of loss with the good memories and insight of our relationship with the person who has left us. We focus on love shared, the lessons learned, the heartaches and the happiness.
The loss of Father Don as the shepherd of our parish community feels like a death to many. He was ripped from the arms of his family in the middle of the night, never to return. For many this has been a time of great sorrow and despair. We have not found healing because we do not comprehend why the AOD will not allow him to come home.
The leadership of the Archdiocese of Detroit seems incapable of following the example of Jesus who led His people with words of love and humility. They expect the parishioners to shrink and tremble as they sanctimoniously snort their pronouncements. As if still in medieval times, they look upon worshippers as ignorant peasants for whom they alone know what is best.
Participants at the Saturday Town Hall Meeting saw the doors to our place of worship flanked by oversized AOD security sentinels. An additional security contingent and plainclothes law enforcement officers were peppered throughout the church interior. Were these police officers eavesdropping on the private conversation of parishioners? An incursion by police into a church is a very serious matter. The show of brute force by the AOD is reminiscent of how the Soviets menaced over their citizens. This is not how our church leaders should present themselves in House of the Lord.
The AOD is bankrupt of credibility. Too many have witnessed their malevolent hands strangle the life from our parish. They came to us with tin ears and hearts of stone. They talk inanely about respecting Father Don’s privacy rights after being the sole source of so many vicious rumors and speculative press releases. They do not deserve their positions in the Catholic Church for they have forgotten that God is the Church, not the Church God.
Bishop Reiss talked about how Father Don neglected his obligations under Canon Law (lack of parish council, personally not opening the bank statements, etc.) but he himself deliberately ignored the Canon Law when it came to providing Father Don with canonical representation before making his decision to resign. The Bishop said the AOD has been openly dealing with Father Don’s canon lawyer for 18 months. Ha! The truth is Father Don only hired his canonical representative in November, 2007. What about the Canonical provision for a mediator when an archdiocese and a parish have reached an impasse? Obviously different rules apply to this Bishop.
The AOD trumpeted their financial largess at the meeting, itemizing their support to keep a struggling Saint Dunstan parish afloat. Like 30 pieces of silver, they intended to buy our loyalty, convince us to have a weak memory about the misdeeds done to our parish family and Father Don. They offered money for us to look the other way.
The people of Saint Dunstan made it clear that they would take responsibility for their own parish - all that was needed was the return of Father Don as pastor. He has personally taken responsibility and apologized for his missteps. He has asked to come home to fix that which went wrong. The majority of parishioners agree that is the best way to heal our parish - not just financially but more importantly spiritually. But our input is repeatedly disregarded. Thousands of letters, emails, cards, phone calls, petitions are rudely ignored.
The AOD wants to conjure up the illusion that if people do not come rushing back to Saint Dunstan and fill the church coffers with treasure - the parish will fail and that will become the legacy of Father Don. The legacy of Father Don is safe. That is something even the all-powerful AOD cannot steal. The fact that he continues to receive the support of the majority of the parish is a testament to the good he has done with his life. His legacy will not be about a building, it will be the thousands of people he has brought closer to Christ.
A failed Saint Dunstan will though be the legacy of the AOD for their proud defeat of the defiant people of Dunstan. They know how to get people to return - bring Father Don home. Remember that in the past people filled the church voluntarily - without intimidation or coercion.
It was said at the close of the meeting we must choose between a man (Father Don) and our Faith. No, we in fact choose to support the man (Father Don) who has led us to a stronger and more meaningful Faith. He is not the object of our worship; he is a shepherd who has provided us with the inspiration to try and lead a good Catholic life.
There are a multitude of other wonderful priests within the Archdiocese of Detroit. They are passionate about their vocation and typify the principles of the Catholic Church. They generously tend to the spiritual needs of students, parishioners and the community at-large. They are gifts from God. Bishop Francis Reiss and his AOD minions however are not among these men.
In their dealing with Saint Dunstan they have not been guided by the Holy Spirit. They have allowed their egos, pride and desire for control to come before the spiritual and emotional well-being of a parish. They have flexed their hierarchical muscle and demanded a respect that can only be earned with honesty and trust. The Bishop has exacted his revenge on the people of Saint Dunstan for disrespecting him on “Black Sunday,” the day he announced Father Don had “requested” medical leave. It is obvious now to all that his blatant lie from the ambo was the ignition source that fired the crisis that still burns at our parish. It was Bishop Reiss who disrespected the people of Saint Dunstan, the sanctity of his priestly title and the Catholic Church.
It is tragic irony that Bishop Reiss, during his inept handling of the Saint Dunstan and Father Don affair, is promoted to Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Detroit by Cardinal Maida while Father Don, for his mistakes, is humiliated and banished from his friends and family.
The Archdiocese of Detroit has asked people to move on and I assure you that without the return of Father Don to Saint Dunstan many will be moving elsewhere. I personally will leave Saint Dunstan Catholic Church with sadness, not bitterness. I leave behind the memories of being married in the parish, the baptism of my children, their First Holy Communion and the countless joyful associations with other parishioners. I will so miss the optimism I felt in my heart after hearing the Homilies of Father Don and celebrating Mass among family.
But I leave Saint Dunstan with a solid and continuing faith in God and a belief in the principles and moral guidelines of the Catholic Church. I will continue to practice my religion and forever will I heed Psalm 146.3 “Put not your trust in princes” - particularly princes of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Gregg M. Ward
Friends Who Are Family
There are many people who contribute to the writings of CatholicsForJustice.com and even more who have dedicated their time and resources to support the efforts to return Father Don to Saint Dunstan. Thank you. There is a very large group of supporters who has attended events, written letters, given advice, made calls, shared information, sent emails and spoken out against the injustices. Thank you. Like Good Samaritans, you have all crossed to the other side of the road to help the one who has been robbed and beaten, and as Jesus said, “you have been good neighbors.” It is and will continue to be an honor and privilege to be associated with you all. This has been one of those rare occasions in life where people did what was right, not what was easy. You stood for truth and we stood together. Be proud of what you have done. Always you will have our love, respect and admiration. May God bless you all.
Catholics For Justice
A Message from the Parents of Father Don
The card and fruit arrangement were very thoughtful. Thank you…your love and appreciation strengthens our hope.
Karl and Betty Demmer
Pictures That Tell A Story
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatherdon/sets
For The Record
A published author has expressed interest in chronicling the story of our troubles at Saint Dunstan. In an effort to gather source information, please consider answering the following questions and emailing your responses to aboutfatherdon@gmail.com. This will be a very good opportunity to document for history your emotions, thoughts and perspective. Please include your name and phone number if you would like to be available for follow up questions by the author.
- Year I came to St. Dunstan:
- Favorite Fr. Demmer Masses/Homilies:
- Fr. Demmer offered nuptial Mass, funeral Mass, baptism, etc:
- Family/life problems he counseled on:
- Things he did as pastor for the parish:
- How/when I first heard about his departure:
- My reaction:
- Events since:
- How I feel about the situation:
- Other comments: