Joseph Le Clair
Father Joe LeClair (picture above from youknowwhoiam.com)
Priest, Archdiocese of Ottawa. Ordained 1986. 16 April 2011: media report Father Joe LeClair gambling at casino in Hull Quebec where he was making massive cash withdrawals on his Visa card. May 2011 resigned – went to Ireland on pre-planned pilgrimage and then scheduled to go to Southdown for treatment of gambling problem. 17 September 2011: diocese announced that police have been called in to probe financial irregularities at Blessed Sacrament Church.
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Archbishops of Ottawa from time of Father Joe LeClair’s ordination: ; Joseph-Aurèle Plourde (02 January 1967 – September 1989) ; Marcel André J. Gervais (Coadjutor Archbishop: 13 May 1989 – Archbishop: 27 Sep 1989 – 14 May 2007); Terrence Thomas Prendergast, S.J. (14 May 2007 – - )
Auxiliary Bishops: John Michael Beahen (11 May 1977 to 14 March 1988); Gilles Bélisle (11 May 1977 – 19 August 1993); Frederick Joseph Colli (19 December 1994 – 02 February 1999); Paul Marchand, S.M.M. (31 May 1993 to 08 March 1999)
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Scroll down page for media coverage
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19 September 2011: Monsignor Kevin Beach letter to parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Church
This year is Father Joe LeClair’s 25th Anniversary of ordination (apologies for the picture quality – the conversion to a searchable file had a negative impact on picture quality and reproduction)
2010 Canada Revenue Agency – Registered Charity Information Return for Blessed Sacrament Parish:
Detailed financial information
2009: External link to video You Know Who I am – Inspiration Award Recipient (re Father LeClair’s past battle with depression – an award offered by the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group )
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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCD) which I have on hand, media (M) and personal information (P)
February 2012: Posting on Archdiocese of Ottawa’s website:
“ARCHDIOCESE SEEKING TEAM OF ACCOUNTANTS: The Archdiocese of Ottawa is looking for a team of accountants. These are part-time contract positions. Part of their mandate will be to visit parishes and help facilitate and monitor implementation of the Protocol on Parish Financial Administration. Incumbents should have an accounting designation (CA, CGA, CMA) or equivalent education and experience as well as a good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Simply Accounting. Info: Colette Legault (613-738-5025, ext. 234). Resume to (clegault@archottawa.ca).”
17 September 2011: Diocesan announcement that the diocesan audit has been completed and police have been called in to investigate (M)
- still at Southdown for treatment of gambling addiction?
May 2011: resigned as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church (M)
April 2011: admitted he has a gambling problem (M)
hosting radio show on CFRA on Sunday mornings: ”The Sunday Show With Father Joe”
March 2011: Auditors called in to review the books at Blessed Sacrament after diocesan officials became aware of irregularities. Leclair’s lawyer, Ian Stauffer, said that “From Father Joe’s perspective, the auditors have exonerated Father Joe.” (M) After the Ottawa Citizen published a story about LeClair’s gambling and spending the archdiocese ordered a more thorough audit (M)
2011, 2010: Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Ottawa (CCCD)
2002: Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Ottawa (CCCD)
one of four Regional Vicars, English Sector (CCCD)
2000, 1999, 1998: Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Ottawa (CCCD)
1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991: pastor, St. Leonard Roman Catholic Church, Manotick, Ontario (CCCD)
1997: assigned as Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Ottawa, Ontario (M)
1990: assigned to St. Leonard’s Roman Catholic Church, Manotick, Ontario
1988-1990: assistant, Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Ottawa, Ontario (Pastor Father Gerry Pocock
1986: ORDAINED
Studied at University of PEI and Holy Apostles Seminary College, Connecticut, USA. The word is he was originally to be ordained to serve in Prince Edward Island. A friend at the the seminary allegedly brought him to Ottawa, he met Archbishop Joseph Aurele Plourde, Plourde asked LeClair to come to Ottawa, and LeClair decided to become ordained for the Archdiocese of Ottawa. He served his diaconate year at St. Mary’s. I have been told that both during and after his diaconate year he was providing counselling services for victims of clerical sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. (M and P)
worked as an elementary school teacher and as a social services worker (Catholic Family Services, Summerside) in PEI before he pursued the priesthood (M)
08 December 1958: Born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island
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MEDIA
04 March 2012: Accountants to enforce strict rules at Ottawa Catholic churches
25 January 2012: “Diocese imposes strict money rules” and other similar articles
30 October 2011: Diocese proposes stringent money rules
28 September 2011: Not just an internal matter
25 September 2011: Church official faces angry Blessed Sacrament parishioners
25 September 2011: Archdiocese won’t call off cops
25 September 2011: Parishioners want church finance investigation stopped
20 September 2011: Priest’s lawyer frustrated by not being allowed to see church audit
19 September 2011: Monsignor Kevin Beach letter to parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Church
19 September 2011: LeClair believes police inquiry exonerates him, lawyer says
18 September 2011: Statement from Father Joe Leclair’s lawyer
18 September 2011: Leclair believes police inquiry exonerates him, lawyer says
17 September 2011: Entry in Blessed Sacrament Parish bulletin
17 September 2011: Police to probe financial irregularities at Blessed Sacrament
15 September 2011: Financial report found Blessed Sacrament in the red in 2010
22 June 2011: Archdiocese fires volunteer accountant at Blessed Sacrament church
04 June 2011: Church donors sought police probe
03 June 2011: Blessed Sacrament finances managed by ‘one-man band’
18 May 2011: Embattled priest says he’ll be back in September
18 May 2011: Embattled priest says he’ll be back in September (pdf)
02 May 2011: Gambling priest to get counselling
30 April 2011: Blessed Sacrament priest to leave church on May 27
27 April 2011: Archdiocese official mum on whether financial audit of Blessed Sacrament Church will be released
25 April 2011: Father Joe steps down from Glebe parish
25 April 2011: Father LeClair leaving Glebe parish
20 April 2011: Chief queries diocese’s handling of financial woes
19 April 2011: Ottawa Citizen Letters to Editor re Father Joe LeClair
18 April 2011: Allegations prompt audit of Catholic parish in Ottawa
18 April 2011: Father Joe’s Visa bills were stolen, says lawyer
18 April 2011: Father Joe needs our love (and comments)
17 April 2011: Gambling priest depressed
17 April 2011: Father LeClair issues apology to Blessed Sacrament
16 April 2011: John Counsel Statement regarding Father Joe Leclair
16 April 2011: LeClair admits gambling, denies taking from church
16 April 2011: The priest, his gambling and trouble at Blessed Sacrament
16 April 2011: BLOG Gambling priest?
(Above – from 16 April 2011 Ottawa Citizen: “Father Joseph LeClair’s personal credit card statement for the period between Dec. 16, 2010 and Jan. 15, 2011 shows a payment onDec. 23 for $39,585.06 and shows he took cash advances at Casino du Lac-Leamy 10 times on Christmas Eve.”)
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Father Joe LeClair’s lawyer is Ian Stauffer. Those who followed the Cornwall Public Inquiry will recall that Stauffer came to the inquiry in mid-stream as commission counsel. Some may also recall that Stauffer performs with the Great Canadian Theatre Company, as does Justice Colin McKinnon
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‘Thou shalt take more time for family’
Ottawa Citizen
12 April 2009
Bruce Deachman
Blessed Sacrament’s Father Joe LeClair takes time out from his busy Easter schedule to reveal which Robin Williams character he’d like to be for a day, what he’d like to do now that he’s tried bungee jumping, and the 11th Commandment he’d write 1. What is the first thing you remember wanting to be when you grew up? I likely wanted to be an educator, for sure. A teacher, likely. I enjoyed school. I enjoyed the environment, and was always very involved.
2. What is your favourite sermon to deliver? That’s a hard one. My favourite sermon to deliver, I think, would be what I would call a sermon that addresses where the people are today, to integrate that particular gospel into today’s situation.
Such as? Well, today’s situation might be the recession. You know they say that a recession is when everybody else is losing their job, and a depression is when you’re losing yours.
And I try to speak a lot to mental health issues.
3. What did you have on your bedroom walls when you were a kid? Now this may sound strange to you, but John F. Kennedy. I’m 51, and when television came to Prince Edward Island, the first thing I remember — I was a small child in 1963 — was Kennedy. The whole funeral thing; it was just all Kennedy.
I became fascinated with Kennedy. I own a huge collection of Kennedy books and memorabilia, and when I was in the States that was one of the first things I wanted to visit; when I went to Texas, it was the first thing I wanted to see.
4. Who was, or is, the best TV or movie priest? I guess it would have to be Bing Crosby, right? I mean, everybody goes back to Bing.
5. What can you do better than anyone else? Embellish stories. I learned well from my dad, I think.
6. Which of the apostles do you find most interesting, and why? St. Peter, because of his humanity. He also had great strength, but he had moments of weakness.
7. What talent do you most envy in others? The ability to sing or be musical. That should really make people laugh.
You can’t sing? I think I can, but they say I can’t.
8. What religious artifact or piece of art most fills you with awe? Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt.
9. If your friends could change one thing about you, what would it be? I think they’d say create more time for me. Today I have 17 appointments, and most of that is counselling. It makes me feel satisfied, but I also say that at the end of the day, satisfying is boring if you have no time for yourself.
10. If you could add an 11th Commandment, what would it be? “Thou shalt take more time for family.” With the whole Internet world we’re living in — this technical world — I really find that we almost have a generation that don’t know feelings.
11. Which hymn could you listen to over and over? The Old Rugged Cross. It’s not even really a Catholic hymn, but I just love it. It’s beautiful.
12. In your experience, what are the things people most commonly give up for Lent? Booze, except on St. Patrick’s Day, and sweets.
13. What have you never done that you’d like to try? Skydiving. I loved the thrill of a bungee jump.
14. What is your favourite story or passage from the Bible, and why? Corinthians 13. It’s read at most weddings and it basically tells you what love definitely is, and what it isn’t, and I love it. “Love is patient, love is kind, never jealous, never boastful, not conceited … ” Everyone knows it, and it takes people back, usually, to a very warm time in their lives.
15. If you could be one fictional character for a day, who would you choose? At first I’d say Michael from The Godfather, but he became a not-so-admirable individual. So I thought I would like to be Mrs. Doubtfire. I love Robin Williams and I just love the humour in all of it. I’d love to be able to create that kind of atmosphere, to be carefree and happy all the time.
16. What was the first album/cassette/CD you ever owned, and under what circumstances did you get it? It has to be Creedence. CCR. Proud Mary. I thought of the Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac is a favourite, but Creedence, oh my God.
17. What comment most often appeared on your report cards? “Joey needs to spend more time on his homework.”
18. What part of your job do you like the least? Dealing with death. I don’t mind dealing with grief, because I think grief is the process of reclaiming your person, but actually death itself.
19. What three people, living or dead, would you most like to spend an evening with over a pint? Obviously, John F. And Obama — I’m a big Obama person. And I would have liked to have spent time talking to Pierre Trudeau. I also thought that Sir Wilfrid Laurier would be fascinating.
Sure, but you only get three people.
OK, we’ll leave Laurier out.
20. What would you like your headstone to read? “Joe was a very compassionate person. He cared.” – - – NEXT WEEK: Newly signed to a two-year contract, Sens coach Cory Clouston plays 20 Questions.
Have a question you want Bruce to ask? Send it to twentyquestions@thecitizen.canwest.com
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Keeping The Faith: Father Joe Leclair
Ottawa at Home (ottawaathome.ca)
06 April 2010
Catherine Clarkson
When Father Joe LeClair delivers his homily at the Glebe’s Blessed Sacrament Church every Sunday, there is rarely an empty seat.
Where many churches suffer from dwindling numbers, Father Joe has overseen a surge in worshippers of all ages who wouldn’t miss a service.
What makes this man Ottawa’s most popular priest? “Father Joe walks the talk and isn’t afraid to call it like it is,” says parishioner Jean Ledo.
Ledo’s wife Mariette adds, “Father Joe transcends and exemplifies Christian values like compassion, selflessness, integrity and generosity. His sense of community, of reaching out, is what makes people want to participate.”
That’s a glowing reference for a man who wasn’t sure if a religious vocation was for him. “The priesthood was a calling, but it was a real struggle to answer it,” he admits with a laugh.
While church was a central part of life for Father Joe and his eight siblings growing up on Prince Edward Island, his early path saw him teaching school, working in social services, and even hoping to find true love, before realizing that the priesthood was a calling he couldn’t ignore.
So he approached his religious vocation with vigour and pragmatic optimism.
“I want to make the lives of everyone I meet better,” explains Father Joe. “When I wake up, instead of saying ‘Good God it’s morning,’ I prefer to say ‘Good morning God!”’
“I’ve known Father Joe for many years,” says Ottawa native Erin Phillips. “He’s been a special part of all the significant events in my life – from my marriage to Chris to the baptism of our three children. He inspires me in my faith and encourages me to be a better person and to get involved in our community.”
And community is an important word for Father Joe. “My parishioners and I may be Roman Catholic, however we belong to the greater community of Ottawa, and we must be an active part of that community,” he explains.
To that end, he works diligently to raise money and awareness for various charitable initiatives, including mental health.
While there have been bumps in the road – Father Joe openly admits that he suffered a burn-out and had to choose whether or not to recommit himself to his faith and vocation – he says he enjoys his work and is satisfied with who he is.
And who he is, according to parishioners, is a compassionate and dedicated man, devoted to those who just need a little faith.— Catherine Clark is the host of Beyond Politics on CPAC.
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Father Joe’s Blessed Sacrament musicians have them swaying in the aisles
The Ottawa Citizen
05 September 2005
Hilary McLaughlin
The weekly Sunday evening ‘Rock the Glebe’ service draws a capacity house for a traditional Catholic mass, Hilary McLaughlin reports.
Country-rockish guitar chords and a group of eight vocalists blasting out in the Glebe on a Sunday evening.
The live music venue at the Ex? No.
A few blocks from the fair site, in the elegant Blessed Sacrament Church, the weekly Sunday evening “Rock the Glebe” service was off and running.
As Rev. Joe LeClair and his assistants head toward the altar, Dave Brown leads the group through the first of a series of songs and hymns that musically illustrate the liturgy throughout the otherwise traditional Catholic mass. And the congregation sings and taps along to the music.
A day earlier, Martha Kelly, a singer-guitarist of Irish descent, accompanied by pianist Chris McGuire, played a Celtic range of music to accompany the Saturday afternoon service.
The church holds three masses on Sunday mornings. The early one is without accompaniment, the second features Mr. McGuire and a soprano and tenor, performing his arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs and hymns, and the last has a 16-member choir led by Cleary Morris, employing four-part harmonies in traditional and modern arrangements.
Unusual in these secular days, they all play to mostly capacity houses — about 1,000 at Blessed Sacrament.
It wasn’t always that way.
“When Father Joe came to Blessed Sacrament, almost nine years ago, he asked if I would help with the music,” recalls Mr. Brown.
Father Joe had previously served in Manotick and at Holy Cross in Ottawa. He invited Mr. McGuire and Ms. Kelly, who both enjoyed Father Joe’s sense of community in their previous experiences, to Blessed Sacrament.
“For a few months, we were just entertaining each other,” says Father Joe.
“Maybe 30 to 45 people would show up,” adds Mr. Brown. “Now, during the regular season it’s standing room only. Father Joe puts chairs along the sides and there are people in the choir loft sometimes.”
Says Mr. Morris, “It’s not just the Rock the Glebe mass, it’s the same at all of them.”
Father Joe started the Sunday evening mass with the more contemporary musical beats hoping to attract younger parishioners. He got them — and their parents — and a lot of others, too.
“It’s convenient for people who are out on Sundays, away for the weekend, out skiing or at the cottage for the day.”
All the musicians attest to Father Joe’s talent for community building.
“He creates the right environment to worship,” says Mr. McGuire.
Father Joe readily acknowledges that the music program has been a huge drawing card.
The musicians agree.
“People who don’t attend church might come for a wedding or something, and they’re impressed with the energy here, and the invitation to be a part of something,” Mr. McGuire says.
Mr. Brown says Father Joe was prepared to invest in a new piano and an improved sound system that would enhance the range of musical presentations in the church.
There is a high standard of musicianship from the various singers, players and arrangers, and they are often supplemented by others who are not part of the regular lineup.
Patrick Maher, Ms. Kelly’s brother, is a well-known performer on the bar circuit. He joined all the Blessed Sacrament soloists on their first CD, issued last Christmas. Most of the carols are familiar, but the arrangements and syncopations are original and interesting without being self-consciously hipped up.
All the musicians are devout Catholics, and most are lifelong participants in Catholic music. Their musical contributions at the church are dedicated to their faith.
“Music is praying twice,” Mr. Brown says.
It’s not often that people rise to take communion to a powerful blues band, playing, on this particular Sunday night, Light of the City, with vocalist Cathy Brown sounding like a combination of Janis Joplin and Bette Midler, while guitarist Richard Bethell’s fingering sounded like slide guitar.
And the faithful were played out to rousing reggae with Jimmy Cliff’s I Can See Clearly Now.
All the musicians get together occasionally, notably on Holy Thursday, one of the most solemn nights of the Christian calendar.
“It’s our ‘big band’ sound for the year,” says Ms. Kelly.
One of the busiest parishes in Ottawa, Blessed Sacrament rocks the year round.
“Come at Thanksgiving,” Father Joe encourages.
“It’ll be spectacular.”
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Priest brings faithful home: `Father Joe’ rejuvenates Glebe church
The Ottawa Citizen
13 April 1998
Mohammed Adam
He is not just the flavour of the moment, but the rave of the town. From Manotick to the Glebe, believers are flocking to his Roman Catholic church in droves, their faltering faith rekindled. But Father Joe Leclair, whose infectious good humour and charisma is spreading the gospel like wildfire and packing them in at Glebe’s Blessed Sacrament Church, is too modest to have his picture taken or even talk to a reporter. He says he is busy doing God’s work as he gently declines a request for an interview, promising to pray for a reporter and a photographer.
Parishioners say that’s very much like Father Leclair — modest, deeply religious but very much in tune with today’s world and the needs of his congregation.
Dr. Sarah Critchley, a physician, says she had drifted away from the church because she wasn’t hearing what she felt was relevant to her life — until the advent of Father Leclair.
“I tried a lot of churches, but I didn’t feel moved. There was no connection until he came. He is that good,” she says.
Watching Father Leclair at work on a bright Easter Sunday at the Blessed Sacrament Church, it is easy to see why he is getting such rave reviews.
During the service, he leaves the podium and walks down the pews, exhorting the faithful to get involved and sing louder. “You in the back,” he calls out and as the congregation responds, he says approvingly, “much better. It’s so important folks that you sing and exhaust yourself.”
Towards the end of the service, he engages in a homily with the congregation, and calls up a couple of kids for some good-humoured banter. If they had to describe how they feel in one word, what would they say, he asked. “Happy,” one replied. “Good,” the other said to wide applause. As the congregation files out, several call him by his first name, leaving no doubt about the wonderful rapport he has built with the congregation.
Father Leclair was transferred to the Glebe from what several people say was a successful parish in Manotick. So popular is he that several of his old parishioners came along with him. And within a year, he has dramatically rejuvenated the Glebe Church.
“You go anywhere in the Glebe and all you hear is Father Joe,” said Glebe resident Louis Sirois, who had shunned the church until Father Leclair showed up. “He has done an amazing thing for this church. He has at least doubled the congregation.”
Scott Warren, also of the Glebe, agrees.
I went to the 8 pm Mass Sunday night at Blessed sacrament. I wanted to
hear Fr. Joe Leclaire’s words for myself. Indeed it was a packed
Church where every pew was full.
He took the safe way of reading his statement which stayed very close
to the same apology as was in the paper. His voice was quivering and
at times came close to crying if not out right crying for a second or
two.
His voice quivered all through mass. After his apology or sermon
definately not a homily which is a reflection on the scriptures by an
ordained minister I guess (a liberal priest would allow for a sermon
in this case.) The people gave him a standing ovation, somebody in the
congregation yelled , Bravo! at least that’s what I think they yelled
and somebody else yelled, we love you!. I was so tempted to boo, but I
didn’t have it in me.
I am truly conflicted on these issues on the one hand people clap,
talk, and cheer in Church regarless of weather catholics like it or
not, so on the one hand if you are free to clap for things you like,
should you not equally be allowed to boo for things you don’t like.
Nonetheless, I saw a man who was a popular priest much because he was
bad-ass and enjoyed breaking the Church’s traditions and laws, he was
indeed a broken man and not himself , truly falling apart. He was not
the regular strong in your face bad-boy priest he once was.
At the time to take the gifts up some kids brought up a sign and
placed it on the altar I think it said, Our light, Our inspiration,
Our priest.
He thanked all those for their notes of support in his homily, he said
the article is not true that he stole money.
He also said to pray for his parents and that he had a big descision
to make in the next few months.
At the end of mass he said he would like to thank the two priests who
popped in out of no where Fr. Pierre Champoux and Father Anthony
Hanon.
He asked that we all leave the Church in silence (he may have said
because of lent or easter) and the priest left by the sanctuary and
did not come out to give us a big fuzzy hug or hand shake. You could
have heard a pen drop. I must admit I did enjoy the silence.
You could feel it is the congregation it was an emotional issue for
the priest and parishioners. However, for those of us who have had to
confront abusive priests in the past, particularly with protective
bishops and their resources it had a very familiar erie feeling. As I
stood there I wondered, what were they cheering for? Was the message
whatever you do, whatever transaction you break, we support you, cause
you were nice to us? If you are nice to us you can break any law!
I wondered would they give the members of the parish finance committee
a standing ovation who through much unpopularity brought this to
light? Do the parishioners truly love and honor the members of the
parish finance committee who brought the skills of financing, honesty
and integrity that brought this abuse to light? Did the faithful thank
the finance members for putting their popularity on the line to
protect the parish from financial abuse no matter who is doing it?
Would they give a standing ovation to the Ottawa Citizen writer for
his article because without it much of this would never have been
exposed? I wondered would Fr. Anothony Hanon, and Fr. Pierre Chanpoulx
unexpectedly pop up and suppport their brother and sister Catholics
who want the laws of the Church and charitable tax status followed?
Instead of the parish being non-inclusive closing in on themselves and
prohibiting journalists who ask fair questions, while Fr. Joe Leclaire
(of all people) ordered the laity to walk out in silence as he and the
other priest all headed off in seclusion not talking or shaking hands
with anybody, I thought wouldn’t it be a wonderful Catholic witness if
next Sunday the parishioners invited the reporter from the Ottawa
Citizen, and the parishioners who brought these terrible transactions
to light and gave them a standing ovation. I wondered, would Fr.
Anthony Hanon and Pierre Champoux pop out of nowhere to show their
support for their fellow Catholics?
What a great disservice you have done to Blessed Sacrament parishioners with this irresponsible and wildly inaccurate comment.
There was no homily because it was Passion Sunday – there never is. The liturgy of the word is always given pride of place on Passion Sunday since the events the gospel describes are the central foundation of our faith.
The man who shouted out shouted out, “We love you Father Joe.” I know this because I know well the man who did it. And given the kind of outward and missionary parish we’ve built, there is nothing surprising about this man being overcome with an affection we’ve always shared so broadly with others.
As to the departure in silence, again it is Passion Sunday. We don’t – and never have – played any exit antiphon for this most solemn of exits. But then if you actually knew anything about Blessed Sacrament, you’d already know that.
I am standing at my computer and applauding you Francis Burns…BRAVO, BRAVO!!!
John Mac Donald
Thank you John for your very kind, kind words!
Thanks for the very kind, kind words! Francis
Thank you Francis Burns for taking us inside Blessed Sacrament on Sunday evening.
In light of the circumstances I can not for the life of me understand why Father LeClare has been allowed to continue offering Mass and hearing confessions. Why has he not been sent away for some much needed treatment?
Nor do I understand the standing ovations. Do we go to Mass to give honour and glory to the priest? or, do we go to give glory and honour to God?
Anyway, it all unfortunately sounds like the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Blessed Scarment on Sunday evening was quite an ‘event.’
Perhaps Father Darryly Kennedy was right when he told parishioners at St. Pat’s on Sunday that the release of the gambling story on Saturday was “diabolical” because, according to Father, it would occupy minds on things other than Lent. I was puzzled by the comment, but, when I read what happened at Blessed Sacrament I’m wondering if Father Kennedy was right, at least on the notion of occupying minds with other thoughts? Diaobolical? I don’t know. I think some might consider it diabolical no matter when it was published?
I’m not sure if I am understanding correctly the substance of this thread. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
It appears that it has recently been revealed that this particular person has a gambling addiction and to feed his addiction he was “stealing”, “ mishandling” ( whatever the correct term of allegation) church funds.
What I’m not clear about is : is he a previously convicted child molester or a suspected one?
If he is neither and you are condemning him on the basis that he is an addict while at the same time you speak with reverence about the Blessed Sacrament , Jesus Christ who spent three years on earth teaching us how to forgive and be merciful. Jesus who had a very special love for the “sinners” and reproached those who condemned them. It is for thieves, addicts, the sick, the diseased, the homeless, the adulteresses, the marginal that He came for. He did not come for the saints- they do not need Him.
The gambling addict like any other addict has a disease and this particular disease is very often much more powerful than the addict. It’s also a disease in which one never has a need to ask for help from God or anyone else until the wall of denial is broken down which is often an event of devastating consequence to ones entire being.
The very sad thing for any person who judges this man to be not worthy to celebrate or be around Jesus Christ (The Blessed Sacrament) then that person harms only their very own soul by turning their back on Jesus because it precisely Fr. Joe LeClair who Jesus has come for.
Fr. Joe LeClair may or may not be a victim of a crime much worse.
You’re wrong Larry.
Which part Sylvia?
“I’m not sure if I am understanding correctly the substance of this thread. Please correct me if I’m wrong.”
You are not correclty understanding the substance of the thread Larry.
Would you correct me?
Larry, you say: “It appears that it has recently been revealed that this particular person has a gambling addiction and to feed his addiction he was ‘stealing,’ mishandling’ ( whatever the correct term of allegation) church funds.”
I have seen nothing which says he was stealing or that he was mishandling Church funds. There are questions raised as to where he acquired the monies, but I have seen nothing which proves stealing or mishandling of parish funds. The diocese is conducting an internal audit. The police have not been called in. We shall have to wait and see the outcome of the audit.
You say: “What I’m not clear about is : is he a previously convicted child molester or a suspected one?”
I have seen nothing to indicate that Father LeClair is either. Have you?
As for the rest, you accuse me of condemning Father? Where? How?
I’m sorry Larry, but I do not excuse clerical behaviour which gives scandal.
You talk about sinners. Need I remind you that child molesters are sinners too? In fact, you may or may not have noticed that it has become commonplace to compare child molesters to alcoholics. Canon lawyer Father Frank Morrissey omi does it, as do countless others.
How far then do we go in excusing behaviour which is unbecoming to a priest and gives scandal to the faithful? As far as I personally am concerned, Father LeClair should be off right now getting the treatment he needs. As a priest he can offer private Masses daily – he is never denied opportuntiy to be close to the Blessed Sacrament. Nor is he denied the opportunity to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in the Church.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is intended to give glory and honour to God. From what I have heard, the Masses over the weekend at Blessed Sacrament were turned into a bit of a circus. How much wiser on the part of all concerned it would have been to send in a priest from the diocesan centre to offer all Masses at Blessed Sacrament over the weekend and, before Mass announce that Father LeClair has acknowledged he has a gambing problem and has been sent for treatment, and that the diocese is conducting an internal audit and the results will be made known as soon as the audit is complete, and, of course, a request for prayers for Father LeClair.
For whatever reason, that was not done. A shame.
I attended Blessed Sacrament for several years but moved to another Church.
Fr. Joe is charismatic but the Church is not about men, it’s about the Lord.
The financial audit should disclose the trail of money.
The report says that Fr. Joe racked up ~$500k of Visa charges in ’09-’10. We need to wait for the audit but it seems improbable that he would be able to generate that much after tax revenue.
I gave money to Blessed Sacrament with an eye to charity and the under privileged.
It’s not about personalities, charisma or men.
Let the truth come out.
Sylvia you are misreading my comment which states that there are apparently allegations that Fr. Joe was stealing funds. I have made no mention of “proof.” You have indicated allegations above within your dated list of events – April 18 2011. Also above, Francis Burns in his play by play of the mass he attended , indicated that Fr. Joe explicitly denied any truth to “the article which said he stole money.”
The only thing that I saw indicative that he may be a convicted or suspected child molester was the fact that his conduct is being scrutinized on your site which I thought was designed to blog the sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church.
I found out as a child how sinful child molesters are , I don’t need to be reminded because I can assure you I have not forgotten. You should be aware through previous dialogue between us my stand on the importance and beauty of forgiveness with regard to that area of transgression as well. I am always mindful and respectful of the fact that there are some who participate on this particular site who are in the very early stages of their grieving process which ordinarily and understandably do not include any notion of forgiveness. But if you think the threshold for one to find in themselves forgiveness for another person who has a gambling addiction is the same to forgive one who has violated my right to be a human and instead chose to use me for an animal , then you are a long way from grasping the difficulty and the value of forgiveness. It is never a question of “excusing” unjust treatment , there is never an excuse for sin or it isn’t a sin at all. There is no substantial correlation between justice and forgiveness.
With respect to your judgement about the mass being a ‘circus’ , it is so only perceptively through the mist of booing from Francis Burns and the applauding of John .
It is not in a spirit of accusation that I submit this or the previous response to you Sylvia, we are all human and we should be allowed to remind one another of that from time to time. It is purely a message to urge to evaluate your motives behind the mission , the purpose and the benefit of your site.
Respectfully, Larry
Larry, I agree with you on this issue.
Unless evidence of mismanagement of parish funds is produced, this is a private matter.
It is clear that the credit card statements have been stolen or provided to the Citizen by an internal source. There’s no way around the fact that illegal activity took place in the production of this story. Now that is one legal fact about this case.
I am disappointed that Sylvia has chosen to post this. Sadly, it damages the credibility and intention of this network.
The truth of the matter is that Father LeClair’s gambling habit is no longer a private matter. It is the talk of the town.
Perhaps the concerns with my inclusion of the LeClair scandal on Sylvia’s Site is that his name is listed on the Accused page? I do not for a moment feel that that inclusion implies in any way shape or form that Father LeClair is a suspect in some form of sexual misconduct. It seems I erred in not realizing it may be erroneoulsy so construed by others. For that I apologize. That was never my intent.
I do however feel obliged to and will continue to post coverage of this public scandal as it unfolds. I have decided therefore to transfer the Father Joe LeClair page to the “Of Interest” page. I hope this will allay some concerns. I will get to work on that now.
The Father Joe LeClair page can now be accessed via the “Of Interest” button on the horizontal menu at the top of the page. Click on “Of Interest.” See Canada/Father Joe LeClair. Click on Father Joe LeClair.
I post things on the “Of Interest” page which don`t fit elsewhere but which I believe are just that: Of Interest.
Does this help Larry? I hope it does. It took me a while to realize how it might be misconstrued.
Without doubt we will continue to have differences re the gambling matter, but hopefully this change will alleviate concerns for you and others that Father Joe LeClair is being lumped on the site with clerical sexual predators.
Hi Sylvia; Relating to this gambling problem story, Francis Xavier and Larry have their opinions as we all do. Sylvia, you and I have different opinions about many things, that’s fine. “Thanks for your input” so-to-speak. However, 1) I believe there was an admission about a gambling problem; 2) I believe there was some concern that bookkeeping at the parish had “redflagged” some discrepancies, 3) I believe the person who admitted having a gambling problem, somehow securred credit cards which enabled them to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt (is there a co-conspirator? This in itself is worthy of investigation)…..and on an income of 24k/annum…..really—-hello. There certainly appears to be at least one “suspect”. “IMHO”, “any reasonable person”, (with exception to many Roman Catholics, and especially the one’s attending this Parish, including their “cronies” like “F. Xavier” and “Larry”) can connect the dots…leading to the conclusion that a formal inquiry should be initiated. And as far as a public matter—get real you knuckleheads!!! You guys are stuck in 1600′s thinking and you think the rest of us should be there too. But again, this is “the Church”. Don’t expect anything to come out of this…”I suspect” “the cleaners” are already “sweeping it up”, down at the Hall.
This is another one of those, “innocent until proven guilty” assertions you will hear until the end of time……and of course, we know how our wonderful lawyers can “spin” that.
And finally, don’t forget, your website is on “a hit list”. It wouldn’t be difficult to disclose who really “HATES YOU and why?
Also, ya right Sylvia….your credibility and the website is ruined forever because of this. Maybe if these “fleabag” surrogates had looked thoroughly through your site, for the past several years, they would see various reports, etc., about various alleged offences, other than only clerical-sexual abuse cases. But to them, nothing matters other than assuring “silence”.
Oh, and by the way Sylvia—did you dream up these facts with malicious intent to defame someone or ruin their lives? Or Sylvia, did you secure facts and then write them on this website, believing them to be true?
prima facie,
Applause…for that well written post of yours.
Lina
Prima Facie: I do not know who Francis X is, but I do know Larry. He is no crony. He is an honest and sincere man who is as concerned about abuse of children as Sylvia or anyone else. He is not attacking Sylvia. He is not some participant in a ‘hit list’. I is one of the most vocal and effective agents trying to make the Church take responsibilities for predator priests in the Pembroke Diocese.
You are wrong to judge him so harshly. Aside from that, the very fact that comments are moderated here means that Sylvia could have blocked any post he offered if she thought it was out of line. You need not defend her when she seems not to feel the need to do so herself.
This is the BEST site in Canada for dealing with the Clergy scandals because of the thoroughness of Sylvia’s research and her dedication to her Church. No need to tarnish the place with ad hominem arguments that attack others.
Just my thoughts.
May you and all have a blessed Easter!
Fr. Tim Moyle
Diocese of Pembroke
Prima: Sorry… missed a typo. It should read:
He is one of the most vocal and effective agents trying to make the Church take responsibilities for predator priests in the Pembroke Diocese.
Fr. Tim
Thanks for your input Father Tim, but save your lecture for your flock. Just as you or others may not always like what I write. I don’t always like what you or Larry Green wites. If Sylvia wants to block me; fine. My comment referred to previous post, which I combined with my experiences; so respectfully Father, Ltake a hike”. I don’t gave a rat’s 3ear end” whio is a supposed hero; the facts are the facts-lie after lie, day after day, week after week, year after year and excuse after excue. It is my opinion Father Tim, that the likes of you and Larry aren’t doing nearly as much as you could; re: various allegations-you know more. Are you afraid to genuinely “speak out” or are you “strawmen” intent on amusing us with “little tid bits”? GEt off the pot. Furthermore, as far as Silvia-she’s a big girl. She and I have a differences-it is the subject, the veiled accusations and then, your little attempt to “correct” me, so-to-speak, that is way out of line. As I said, save it for your blind followers”. Get it Father Tim?
PrimaFacie wrote “Oh, and by the way Sylvia—did you dream up these facts with malicious intent to defame someone or ruin their lives? Or Sylvia, did you secure facts and then write them on this website, believing them to be true?”
Good for you ‘Prima Facie” This is what she has been doing with this site always. She needs some help. That is why noone cares about this site. Father Tim is a fake priest. How can he be a good priest when he support persons like Larry who writes all kinds of slandering and abusive words against people on this site? I had some respect for Father Tim in the past. Now I think he is a wolf in sheep’s clothings. He is looking for fame and also fishing in the troubled water. All three need help.Hope his bishop sack him. Qudos to Prima Facie.
This rhetoric dismays me !!!! There are many practicing and devout Catholics whom I know who are unfortunately not that aware of the horrific acts of our clergy eg my 85 year old mother…I have passed this site on to many as a way of “opening their eyes” regarding legal cases in this province….. Sylvia does a superb job….. Fr. Tim puts himself out there;….. please; please; please STOP muddying the waters….. we need to”build” rather than “tear” down……
Prima: I have brought three cases to the Police of predator priests. How many have you exposed? We need not agree on everything. On this we agree. But I take no insult from you or anyone else who impugns my commitment to protecting innocents and getting rid of pedophiles from the ranks of the clergy. I say the same for Larry who I know from time serving in his parish.
You are the one casting wild accusations… not me… not him… not Sylvia… you.
Jim: Show me one example where Larry (or I) have either slanders or writes abusively. I know that I have put my money where my mouth is. I know Larry has done the same. Neither one of us are wolves in sheep’s clothing. If expressing a disagreement is your definition of abuse or slander… then perhaps it is you who are wearing a disguise.
Folks: This is a great site which accomplishes great good for the Church (even if at times the Church might have trouble believing it). Please don’t reduce this site to silly personal attacks and name calling. We all have a great deal of work to do to cleanse the church of priests who cause grave scandal. Maybe Fr. Leclaire fits that category… maybe not. There is nothing wrong with suggesting that he be given the benefit of the doubt until evidence proves otherwise. For example… are you not disturbed that somehow the Citizen got their hands on his personal VISA statements? Clearly someone has broken the law… but it might not be the good Father. Just a thought.
Happy Easter everyone (especially to Sylvia who operates this site out of her belief that we can be resurrected from the grave of all these scandals!)
Fr. Tim
Fr.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Thousands of people (yes thousands) will be attending mass only because Father Joe brought them back to the Church to worship God (or introduced them to it in the first place). God gave him a very special gift and Father Joe has used it… There are no dots to connect, this is truth, thousands of us will blindly follow Father Joe in worshiping God in His (God’s) house tomorrow and Father Joe have brought us there to do it!
On this, I must response.
“Neither one of us are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
You are kidding, right?
Happy Easter-”Praise The Lord”. What a Happy, beautiful day. “The Lord Is Risen”, “Hallelujah”.
My, my, my, Father Tim; get a hold of yourself; “imagine yourself completely relaxed, breathe in deeply through your nose, exhaling through your mouth….slowly. Repeat this ten times.” Playing music helps. It is very unfortunate for you, that you take my words as “insults”. Lord, help me to be humble.”
As I have a few moments in a very busy schedule (I wrote the last post while driving-pretty messy. Yes I am guilty and I am prepared to face the consequences) and as I have waited for this “beautiful” day to enter a reply to Father Tim, then “it shall be”. I feel, kinda really alive today and willing to share my thoughts and comments. “Thank-you God, for giving me the strength and courage.”
My Dearest Father Tim: There is no doubt that some, even many readers are not fond of my comments, just as I am not fond of many of yours, or Larry’s, or John’s or Sylvia’s, etc., but I read them and accept their perspectives. “I thank God for giving me this capacity.” I thank God for giving me the “willpower and courage” to “get involved” and voice my opinions as I interpret them from my perspective. I than God that we “all” do not think the same way.
I don’t believe I will attempt to use the specifics of my “history”, point by point, to illustrate or rationalize my “current” actions or otherwise. However, Father Tim, thank-you for the very good work you have done and written about.
Through my experiences I have realized some people wish I wasn’t involved, but then I come across some people who are pleased I am involved.
Believe me, Sylvia and I have our differences; I am not here to defend or protect her, despite what “your” interpretations are. Sylvia is a big girl and can defend herself.
When I comment, it is because I am replying to something that someone posted (in this case Larry), or a posted article (in this case, the several news articles posted), the specified topic or a combination of the aforementioned, including my personal experiences and education.
Again Father Tim: From me to you, a) I have nothing to explain, b) do you not find that you are extremely defensive?, c) do you feel that the “mainstream” should not have printed the story and that “leaks” occur for a reason? d) please save your scolding for your “flock”. e) I really don’t want to start listing my credits and failures.
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!! Hallelujah!! Hallelujah!!!
Wow! I love it. Not in a sarcastic kind of way…It is refreshing to read so many people from all walks of life disagree on so many levels and then have a chance to sit back ,pause and hopefully reflect on how we will handle the next encounter, the next challenge. Sometimes the pride takes over or the arrogance;or just the fear of being challenged in our beliefs and our need to survive. I think however that the sharing of the pain everyone is feeling in these difficult matters of the “invisible” is what counts. Quite fitting I believe on this day of “Renewal”. It is much easier to explain, share, a visible wound such as an amputation of a limb, a cut in the flesh, a senseless Crucifixion…The pains and wounds shared on this site are difficult to address, to accept or even believe for some because the blood is not visible..
I came here a few months ago by pure coincidence…I keep returning to read a lot and often to gain some understanding of my fellow humans beings and of myself. I have had to apologize on this site not so long ago and I don”t feel any less for it. On the contrary I am thankful for it, for letting my own arrogance be challenged.
There is much to be achieved in this media, on this site, even through our individual and collective weaknesses. Until very recently “the little people” did not have a voice. Just think back 10 years ago, the exchanges taking place here could never have taken place. So many wounded people suffering alone, in silence, with no hope…
I look very hard sometimes to find the positive…and it is always there.
This is always a special time for me: a new beginning, a sign of hope, a new season filled with Life. I try and concentrate on the message which arrived in the mail today, less on the fellow who brought it to my door…I think he would have preferred this to seeing me adhere to a ritualistic, blind adoration of an idol…
The battle is with the supposed leaders who permitted the abominations to be multiplied for too long, too often for too many. No one contributing here should loose site of this if the battle is to be won…No one should for one minute purposely wish to shed blood…visible or invisible. Accidents will happen only to help everyone become stronger and hopefully wiser in generous confrontation…
“Lets be patient with one another, as we wish others to be…”
…………………
Hum!! …sounds familiar?!!…
…maybe I had too much chocolate?!!?
Things are looking up, from my perspective. Every day should be as Easter…
JG
Sorry, but there isn’t much humility in these comments is there? Both the laity and the religious seem to be rather patronizing of each other. Thank you, Sylvia, for putting your finger on the problem with the recent Mass. The focus wasn’t on God, it was on a particular man, the star of his particular drama. This main point was misunderstood by those who have been raised in a man-centered Catholic Church, which has promulgated an improper definition of the concept of “forgiveness.” According to the Catholic faith ‘of our Fathers,’ rather than that of the fuzzy-feel-good-semi-pseudo-Lutherans, forgiveness is derived from a decision of the will to love all men, modeled on the forgiveness of Our Saviour Jesus Christ — But this forgiveness does not preclude very meticulous examination of sins committed, repentance, public confession in certain circumstances, restitution, and penance. The Sacrament of Penance (renamed by Modernists as “Reconciliation”) clearly provides for what is necessary in God’s sight. Absolution removes guilt, but not the penalty. Rather than ‘playing to the crowd’, which seems to be Fr. Joe’s ‘modus operandi,’ the homily could have provided solid teaching on the issues at stake, rather than a statement of apology. Unfortunately, as the cases catalogued here at The Inquiry bear witness, many well-loved social workers ingratiate themselves with families undergoing stress in their lives, while living double lives behind the clerical collar. These men are not priests in any sense of the word.
More confusion. Father LeClair is “transitioning.” He apparently told parishioners at Blessed Sacrament “I love being a priest,” but seems to be seriously debating leaving the priesthood.
That makes little sense to me.
LeClair also told parishioners at Blessed Sacrament Easter Masses that he didn’t deserve to be splashed on the front page of the Ottawa Citizen and “If you have written a letter to the Citizen or cancelled your newspaper…bless you.”
Oh my oh my.
Was all of this this the homily? Or was it an announcement made before or after Father LeClair offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Easter? I do hope it was NOT the Easter homily.
Anyway, here’s the article in today’s Citizen: 25 April 2011: Father LeClair leaving Glebe parish
I am part of the youth at Blessed sacrement and i have a close relationship with Father joe and he is the most honourable man ive ever met , i dont see why if you go to blessed sacrement your not putting your full faith in him as we should.Obviously if you think he did it you are not thinking straight, he has helped soo many people , my family my best friends family , and thousands of people . why do you think he would EVER do something to harm his relationship with his friends and parishners? ,and if he is sick (didint steal anything from the church) then you support him through it not put him down even more.
Let’s wait rachel and see what the auditors have to say.
Young people are being led astray, in my opinion, at Ottawa’s Church of the Blessed Sacrament — that is, if Rachel’s statements can be construed as expressing accurately the beliefs of her and her peers. Rachel, don’t take this personally please. To be led astray is to be misled. It is to be taught or guided improperly, in this case, as a member of the parish to which you belong. You stated the following:
“I am part of the youth at Blessed Sacrement and I have a close relationship with Father Joe and he is the most honourable man I’ve ever met , I don’t see why if you go to Blessed Sacrament, you’re not putting your full faith in him as we should.”
* First, it is a serious mistake to be under the illusion that you have “a close relationship” with a priest. A priest may counsel young people, he may relate well with young people. But if the priest or a young parishioner, either one, thinks they can have “a close relationship” with one another — hear the alarm bells ringing.
* And if Father Joe, as you say, is “the most honourable man I’ve ever met” — you have been setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. This relates to the first point above. No member of a parish ‘really knows’ a parish priest. To ‘really know’ someone, there must be “a close relationship”. Priests do not have a “close relationship” with a young woman or a young man in the parish — unless that priest has decided to cross an important line. Crossing the line makes that priest unable to function as he should in the Church, and his superiors should be alerted. I am truly sorry if there is no man in your family that you value as being honourable, but I understand the facts of life. I regret this is your situation, and I empathize with you. You know, reading about Jesus in the New Testament would help you, I think, a lot really — because Our Lord Himself told us ‘No one is good but the Father.’ The Bible teaches over and over again that we are not, no, we are never, to put our trust in man. God in Jesus Christ is the Holy One, and the Only Holy One. You cannot be disappointed or disillusioned by following the Lord alone.
* This brings me to the last point, Rachel. As you “putting full faith” in Father Joe? Are you saying that you think “putting full faith” in Father Joe is what you are supposed to do? Who taught you that? “Putting full faith” in a person holding a position of leadership in a religious group is the teaching of a Cult, not the teaching of a Christian church, or a Catholic parish, of any kind.
And it is not just young people, but adults of all ages, who can make that mistake.
Rachel, I hope you will print out or copy my comments, and take them to other people whom you know to discuss these points. As Sylvia advised, the auditors will have their say.
But in the meantime, I hope you do some soul-searching, and some prayer, and a little study, so that you are ready to move forward as a young Catholic, you and your friends, with solid ground underneath your feet, in a spiritual sense.
How very sad. I truly feel genuine pity for you. Father Joe was one of those rare people talented enough to love thousands, without reserve.
This is not about “trust in men” or any such nonsense. This is about the imitation of Christ and like the great saints of old, loving unreservedly as many as could be loved.
Father’s great failing is now known to everyone. Pity so many here have hardened their hearts against his great talent, however. Christ’s love is often met in other people, and there are many people out there who only came to know that love because of the personal example of this man.
There’s a reason some of us have come here to defend him. Perhaps the young person thought a fool by her heart-hardened elders here is the wise one?
Bob: This young lady was not treated like a fool. Her statement were deemed credible and the reply to her statements (by Ms Thomson) was respectful and thought provoking. Try it sometime, Bob.
Two more articles from today’s Ottawa Citizen:
18 September 2011: Statement from Father Joe Leclair’s lawyer
18 September 2011: Leclair believes police inquiry exonerates him, lawyer says
Cheryl-Helene: some questions:
Are/were you a member of Blessed Sacrament?
Why do there seem to be an undertone in your reply re: Fr. Joe’s gambling problem and other priests who have abused kids? Gambling addictions and abusing kids are hardly the same thing.
Have you ever met Fr. Joe? Heard him talk? Been to any non-Sunday mass events with him (trips, social events, fundraisers, counselling sessions, etc?)
Have you ever met anyone for who Father Joe’s charismatic and frank approach to Christianity, faith and counselling has helped dig out of a serious emotional and personal crisis? (Fr Joe is also a qualified Psychologist – this study and work expereince took place before he became a priest)
Easy to judge him I guess if all you know is a) what you read in the news and b) what you read on this site.
I am a former member of Blessed Sacrament (2000-2008 – in 2008 we moved to a new parish in our neighbourhood) and back in 2000-2001 and also following the death of my father in 2005, I had the opportunity to not only worship at Blessed Sacrament but also to have some counselling sessions with Fr. Joe which helped develop a reinvigoration of my faith as well as start me on the path to healing from some very serious crises I had experienced.
My husband and I had our wedding at Blessed Sacrament, my kids were baptized there and I dont regret any of that for a minute.
In the last few years it had become apparent to me that Fr. Joe was suffering from some kind of mood problems. However, with mood disorders, its important to look at mood disorders for what they are – as an ILLNESS and not as a character flaw.
Fr. Joe’s talent as a preacher and a spiritual leader also should not be thrown aside or cast into question just because he has been ill. He never preached perfection, in fact he used a lot of the crises and challenges in his own life to illustrate faith which really spoke to me. I do wish that he had been able to listene to his own advice, however, sometimes when suffering from mood disorders it is not possible to do so. The illness prevents healthy thought patterns. Illogical and self-damaging behaviours and attitudes seem logical when in the midst of a mood disorder.
I will be forever grateful for what I have learned and experienced at Blessed Sacrament and what I learned from Fr. Joe himself. I feel very sad that Fr. Joe was not able to get the support he needed until it was too late.
As any illness or problem, Jesus taught us to love and forgive the sinner, and pray for those who are suffering. Father Joe is definitely suffering greatly at this time and can use prayers and support.
Even if it turns out that there was some financial impropriety (and this would involve some of MY money) I can forgive. Does not mean that I didnt have some difficult feelings about it, but I am able to move past them into a spirit of forgiveness.
Nobody is perfect, and none of us are here to judge. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Amen!! The hard hearted followers of this story at this blog have no experience it would seem of a Priest at once flawed and yet a throughly kind and warm man absolutely unreserved in his self-giving. He literally would do anything for anybody; and as a pastor, without equal in Ottawa, he was one with us in our trials and challenges. He would be the first person lampooned if anyone was the target of his homilies.
I have no doubt the police will exonerate him. It really is inconceivable to me, anything otherwise. A man who never held anything back from anyone who ever asked anything of him is no thief.
I kind of agree Bob. To say he is unequaled as a priest in Ottawa is a stretch I think. He is unequaled with respect to converting people, bringing back people who have left the Church, and probably the best at story-telling, but there are a lot of great priests in Ottawa. They just have different gifts that make them less visible to the public… There is no doubt that he is very special however!
Like the people who have judged him as guilty, we are wrong to judge him as innocent of what he has been accused of. At the end of the day it really should not matter, we have no right to judge. Even if the police do not exonerate him, it is not like any of us are without sin. There are standards that priests are supposed to live up to, like politicians, like police, like teachers… They all fall at some point in time, God made them as humans, so by default, they will fall at one point in time or another. Like all of us he will be held accountable for what he has done, if he is guilty. Many who comment here have apparently never fallen, and seem to live in places where people rarely fall, good for them…
Because of Father Joe’s great gift, the gift that enabled him to convert and bring back so many, he is famous, he is a lightening rod. Well lightening has struck, but, God will help him up, God will deliver him, with all of his weaknesses and imperfections God loves him, after all God made him. Many people hate him, that’s fine, they are not God! Thank God!
Does a resolution to attend mass on Sunday constitute in the spiritual sense a “conversion?” There are too many who do through practice demonstrate a firm belief in the church while at the same time demonstrate little or no love for God or humanity. The church can be a beautiful place to celebrate God’s love for us and our love for one another. It can also be for some a great source of pain and suffering. For many a new concept/new vision of church needs to be born. God loves everybody, not just those who are “comfortable” in their tradition.
There is an apparent prevailing assumption that if a person has been persuaded to ’return’ to church then they have been “converted” and the ‘noble’ individual responsible for the so called conversion is the one blessed with “persuasive powers.”
Is Fr. Joe himself aware of how highly he is esteemed for his power to “convert” people.
When people who were in the physical presence of Jesus and were converted from non-believers to believers in His divinity, He didn’t say He converted them, He said their own faith was responsible.
Conversion comes from within and not from Fr. Anybody no matter what Fr. Anybody would have you
believe.
You are right Larry… That said he is responsible for bringing back countless people to the Church – I refuse to back down on that statement because I saw it with my own eyes. It was wrong for me to judge them as “converted”, or credit him with “converting” anybody because I could not see into their hearts and minds. Personally I have never heard Father Joe take credit for “converting” anybody, I was the one who incorrectly said that and do not want people to think that he has been running around saying it! I have however heard the man talk about his own weaknesses…
What is interesting is the Church’s stance on making a complaint (and refusing to withdraw it) to the police about what they obviously feel to be a crime, and being so resolute about it. Let’s see if they continue this practice in the future when allegations against priests are made for other things that they view as crimes (or perhaps should view as crimes)…
A new development which I find interesting.
The Archdiocese of Ottawa is advertising for a team of accountants (Ca, CGA, or CMA) for part-time positions to visit parishes and helpfacilitate and monitor the implementationof the Protocol on Parish Financial Administration.
It is good to see there will be change.
Now, if the Ottawa Police would just wind up their investigation————–
Thanks Tim. I checked the Archdiocese of Ottawa website and there it is:
“ARCHDIOCESE SEEKING TEAM OF ACCOUNTANTS: The Archdiocese of Ottawa is looking for a team of accountants. These are part-time contract positions. Part of their mandate will be to visit parishes and help facilitate and monitor implementation of the Protocol on Parish Financial Administration. Incumbents should have an accounting designation (CA, CGA, CMA) or equivalent education and experience as well as a good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Simply Accounting. Info: Colette Legault (613-738-5025, ext. 234). Resume to (clegault@archottawa.ca).”
I have removed the posts from Father Steve Ballard as I said I would
God help us all!