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06/02/2002 Entry: "Letter from the Bishop"
I got a letter from the bishop of Arlington !
I haven't been in a Catholic church in Virginia for around four years now, much to my mother's chagrin, but the diocese keeps sending me stuff anyway. Most of it I throw into the garbage without opening it. Well, this year the bishop's lenten appeal came around at about the the same time all those stories about big payoffs to victims were being reported .
So I sent back to appeal form, but instead of checking the $10, or $20 or $50 checkboxes, I checked the 'other' box, put in a $0.00, and added a note in the margin saying I didn't trust them to put my money would be put to good use, and would they please remove my name from their mailing lists. I didn't mention anything about the payoffs or scandal. I didn't expect to hear anything back, thinking they would notice I never gave anything in the past so they weren't actually losing any money. But alas, I got a response anyway....
The bishop is verbose, so I'll summarize: Got your note, the scandal's a shame. It's understandable you choose not to support the appeal this year. There are a lot more good clergy than bad, and they've been doing good stuff for a long time. Your donations make the good stuff possible. Each diocese operates separately. The diocese financials are not tied to any other dioceses financials. No lenten appeal money has gone to payoffs. The diocese has a misconduct policy in place since 1991. No dangerous priests serve in the diocese. The bishop does not assign pedophiles to any form of ministry. Please pray for the diocese.
Now take that, Catholicize it ( s/good stuff/Christ's power to use the Church as the primary instrument of grace in the world/g etc) and you have a page and a half letter. A copy of the bishops second pedophilia letter was also included. The bulk of the letter was what kept me from throwing it away int he first place.
It was pretty obviously a form letter, so despite what the Post is reporting, it appears that enough good people of Arlington did sometihng similar that the diocese is responding. Hat's off to you, my neighbors !
I suggest anyone getting Catholic junk mail give a similar $0.00 donation. Then, perhaps next time they need some hush money, they resort to taking up a second collection. Or maybe having a bake sale.
Update: Arlington priest accused of breaking up a marriage of 18 years.
