Children of Catholic Priests

Below is the the last attempt to deal in a civil manner with the Catholic Church and the Claretian Missionary Fathers.  Both the Eastern & Western Claretian Provinces have passed the buck and buried their collective heads in the sand... hoping this issue will go away.  They have been unwilling to offer reparations for their lies, cover ups, deceit, and are perpetuating a culture of shame. 

I hope the Provincials, their governments, legal counsels, the dioceses and Rome understand the repercussion of their actions.  As with the child abuse scandal and the failed cover up... I'm sure they have NO CLUE how damaging a well planned, supported public media campaign will be....

This was a letter from Fr. Richard Detore CMF Provincial of the Western Province dated 12-12-2008

After consulting with the other members of the Provincial Government of the Western Province
and our legal counsel, we have determined that the Province is not liable for the actions of two
consenting adults when one of the parties, although a member of the Province, acted against
the policies of the Province and of religious life.  The Province does not have any moral or legal
responsibility to make any type of financial payment to you and will not be doing so.  In good
conscience we cannot take money that has been entrusted to us for the sake of fulfilling our
mission and pay you anything in these circumstances.  Any grievance or hurt you may feel is
really the responsibility or fault of your parents, not the Claretian Missionaries .
 
It has also been determined that your conception took place in the Western Province, so the
Western Province alone has the authority to act on your case, any other provinces notwithstanding.
The Eastern Province may have paid some money to your half-siblings years ago, but that was
out of charity, not liability.  Unfortunately, we are not now in a position financially to do the same.
 
I certainly realize that this decision will not please you.  However, I do hope that you will be able
to address with your parents some of the emotional hurt you may have experienced growing up
and in doing so gain a greater sense of peace.
 
Fr. Richard