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AMERICA Magazine
A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

Liturgy
This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

Voice of the Faithful
A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

Bishop Accountability
Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

National Catholic Reporter
A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

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A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

We are to be consecrated in truth.

Readings: Acts 20:28-38 Psalm 88:29-30, 33-36 John 17:11b-19

Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they may also be consecrated in truth. [John 17:18-19]

Read the Gospel very slowly and if possible, out loud and if necessary, three times! Although John’s literary style is quite complex, the farewell prayer of Jesus is as powerful as is Paul’s farewell message in Acts.

It is not likely that these passages are the actual words of Paul and Jesus. They are compositions that Luke and John or whoever wrote in their name and are based on the oral tradition of the sayings of Jesus and the preaching of Paul. They were written in the style of farewell addresses of prominent leaders of their times in order to win the attention of early believers to whom the message of truth was entrusted.

The ‘truth’ that is being proclaimed is not from a catechism nor is it a defined doctrine or dogma. It is the core truth about the God who spoke through the prophets and then through Jesus about the universality of God’s love.

During this time of immediate preparation for Pentecost, we are invited to think about our own responsibility to pass on the ‘truth’ of God’s goodness entrusted to us in Christ and how we are to live that truth in our daily lives, each in our own unique way. No one of us can do this alone and so we much join hands literally and figuratively within the community of believers everywhere.

To live the ‘truth’ is to live in the Spirit of Jesus Christ the fruits of which are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, moderation, self-control, reverence, etc. I’m sure you memorized these ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit.’

These are the true ‘marks’ of our authenticity as believers.

In Pursuit of Truth

Wednesday March 1, 2006

Click here to browse through the collection of ‘Harvey Interviews’

Having read the current report in the Observer-Tribune on my criticism of the Diocese of Paterson regarding its handling of the clergy abuse scandal, I am prompted to offer the following comments and observations.

1. Phil Garber is a good reporter who was faithful to the database.

2. This notwithstanding, the sexual abuse scandal is only symptomatic of the abuse of clerical power. To that extent, the title of the article is misleading.

3. Ms. Marianna Thompson once again is poorly informed on the issue. I have found it necessary on numerous occasions to correct her public statements in the press—both in the DAILY RECORD and in the HERALD NEWS. Truth is a relative term in Marianna’s vocabulary. The expression, ‘caveat emptor’ is a most apt cautionary phrase for anyone including reporters who ‘engage’ her in conversation. Early in a conversation with Marianna, one experiences confusion as she employs her diversionary tactics entrapping you into unknown territory that has no bearing on the issue at hand. She is a master at diversion and the obfuscation of truth.

4. Rather than addressing the facts and the issues at hand, Marianna goes on the attack—personal attack. In forensics and human debate, this is call an ‘ad hominem’ argument. In other words, if you can’t challenge the facts, then attack the speaker. It has been the pattern of the Diocese to “shoot the messenger!” rather than read the story. Not to worry, I wear a bulletproof vest to bed at night!

5. If Marianna had read the introduction to my Harvey ‘blog’ she would have discovered that ‘Harvey’ is not a pseudo-reporter. He is my other self, or my revered mother, or a friend or whoever. Never was the word ‘reporter’ mentioned.

6. As far as twisting the truth is concerned, there is no better teacher than Marianna and I can cite numerous examples such as suggesting that a certain victim of abuse testifying to a Passaic County investigator stated that it was consensual sex. When I discredited that statement, she changed it to mean that this was the conclusion of the investigator insisting that this report was communicated to the victim. The victim never received the report. How come Marianna has access to all these documents and the victim does not?

6. Blackmailing the bishop assumes that there is something about which to blackmail him. If this be true, Marianna, you apparently know something about the bishop that I don’t.

7. As for my desire to be a bishop, those who know me best also know that I praise and thank God every morning and every evening that I never considered my self worthy of that exhalted postion. More importantly, having been reported too often to the Holy See for my willingness to bend the law of the Church for the sake of charity which of course is the supreme law, I was never eligible.

8. As for ‘speculation’ I suggest to Marianna that she challenge any statement on my blog with the exception of an incidental item about time, date or place that runs contrary to truth and I will be more than happy to defer to her truth.

9. Speaking of which, Marianna’s truth in indeed her truth.

10. As for other critics, I suggest that they have no right to criticize unless and until they are studied all the data. This will require reading the following documents:

• The Dallas Charter, 2002

• The Report of the National Review Board appointed by the US Bishops.

• The John Jay Report.

• All ‘Harvey Interviews’ from Parts 4 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 through and including the ‘Harvey Postscript’ and ‘Harvey Extra.’ They may be accessed by clicking ‘Article Archive’ on my website and scrolling down to the titles listed by date of posting.

• All weekly homilies, daily reflections and other web pages on my website.

It is an outrage to lift comments and phrases out of context from the whole body of data published on my website.

I have been a priest for 44 years. I have been a patient priest for most of those years. I will admit that my patience has worn thin but I will not resort to name calling or personal attack.

I will stand by what I have posted until and unless proven contrary to the truth.

I welcome a dialogue with brother priests and other critics and promise to answer any and all question pertaining to my Harvey Interviews or any other statements posted on my website.

I have made numerous attenpts to meet with our bishop and his staff. I received a Christmas greeting with a promise to arrange a meeting after New Years. Having heard nothing, I called a third time. No response. Finally on Thursday morning I called his residence and spoke with the bishop after one year of silence. He said he will be away for two weeks but will arrange an appointment on his return.

The clerical system is broken and the sooner our Church leaders deals with this reality, the sooner our Church will be reformed and renewed in the spirit through which it came into being 2000 years ago.

When our leaders come to know their powerlessness, they will come to know their strength.

There will be no healing and reform until thre is justice. No justice until there is truth. No truth until there is full accountibilit. No accountabiility until there is transparency

Amen.