CIRCULAR TO PARISHIONERS WEEK 52 - MAY 28, 2005
52 WEEKS OF CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS
It has been one year since our newsletters were first published. These newsletters were started to inform
you of the wrongs and mistreatment of parishioners in St. Martin of Tours, and to correct misinformation
which was being deliberately circulated. It is more than one year since the problems first occurred.
Disturbing incidences first came to light in 1999 and have escalated since then.
Who hears the cry of the distressed? The Church is crying out, not only in Mississauga and Toronto, but
across Canada, USA, Australia, Ireland, U.K., France, Austria. CBS News provides some interesting
information - Click on link (or cut and paste) -
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/24/60II/main697498.shtml
Follow the links to “Catholic Church In Crisis” and further to “World Map: Global Issue”
STEVEN KRUEGER (Boston) reports: A lifeline for the church (May 27, 2005)
The former flagship of the Catholic Church in America, the Boston Archdiocese, continues to sink. Already
facing a slow but gradual long-term decline, the archdiocese needed to embark on a course of hope and
healing after being stricken with the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The reconfiguration process was doomed
from the start -- a Catholic ''Survivor" scenario with unclear objectives, inconsistent criteria, and a timetable
that has never been justified. Months later unfunded pension liabilities were disclosed. Then, recently it
was alleged that the archdiocese diverted donor-designated contributions. These have only further eroded
archdiocesan credibility. Additionally, it is astounding that the archdiocese claims it is committed to
financial transparency while not disclosing the financial statements of its primary corporation – the
Corporation Sole -- or the other 20-plus corporations under its stewardship. Archbishop O'Malley has
asked people to make a shared sacrifice without asking them to be informed stewards of a shared
responsibility. This approach doesn't work in today's world or today's church.
Today we are at a crossroads and there are two clear paths, one that repeats the mistakes of the past and
one that learns from them. The former relies on the secrecy and heavy-handed control of the hierarchy that
alienates Catholics in an educated society. The latter is the needed course for healing and growth and would
embrace the responsibility that lay Catholics are demonstrating for their and the church's future. The gulf
between them is a growing lack of trust. The bridge between them can be a dialogue for understanding and
unity based in the gospel message of Christ. If we are going to move forward together, we must first come
together. Develop not only a financial but also a pastoral workout plan that involves all Catholics and
rebuilds trust so that the faithful will once again invest themselves spiritually and financially in the church.
Steven Krueger was the founding executive director of Voice of the Faithful and a member of the (Boston)
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. To request full text, contact mail@saveourparish.com
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For more information, contact: Aisling Egan 416 671-4710
Pat DeAngelis 416 809-1819 Duncan Walker 905 277-9825
Lucy Pires 905 273-6093 Dunstan Bazely 905 275-3946
Judy Byrnes 905 275-1536 Patricia Russell 905 279-9205
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Email: bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984.
ambrozic@archtoronto.org Fax: 416 934-3452.
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RIGHTS - BEING RIGHT - DOING RIGHT
These are three separate and important issues that have been deliberately confused.
First: Do parishioners have the right to an accounting from the pastor? Well, there are rights under Canon
Law, Civil Law, Federal Law, Provincial Law, Common Law, Statute Law, the Bishop’s Law and Beltran
Law.
Second: Are the Financial Statements right? Do they meet accepted accounting practices and principles?
Third: Ultimately, and this is the only thing that really matters, what is the right thing to do? To demand
money and then deny a full accounting to the contributors, is just plain wrong. When the pastor approves
this, it is still wrong. When the bishop condones it, it is still wrong. It is the difference between Authority
and Power.
On Judgment Day, will we be asked about our rights? Will we be asked if we were always (or ever) right?
Or will we be asked if we did the right thing?
Contact Ed Beaudry, chair of the Finance Council, at edbeaudry@rogers.com
The Parish Office phone 905 279 5742, fax 905 279 5743, and
email address stmartinoftours@on.aibn.com
Mr. William C. Dunlop, Controller - ext. 614, email: acct_fin@archtoronto.org
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FINTAN KILBRIDE
Many will remember Fintan as guest speaker at the recent Knights of Columbus Valentine’s Dinner Dance.
Fintan recently underwent surgery and we pray for his recovery. He is renowned for his humanitarian work
in Jamaica, Haiti and other impoverished areas, where he is greatly missed
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KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL PICNIC
Next week, on Sunday, 5th June, the Knights of Columbus will hold their Annual Picnic at Erindale Park.
Tickets are available as you exit the Church. For a cost of only $5 per family, they will provide hot dogs,
hamburgers, drinks; and games for the kids. Let’s have an enjoyable afternoon with family and friends.
Get your tickets today for the Picnic and the Draw -
1st Prize is Boat Cruise and Dinner for Two, 2nd Prize is Girl’s Bicycle, 3rd Prize is Boy’s Bicycle.
Proceeds will go towards repairs to an area of Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland. Support this worthy cause!
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GIVING IS RECEIVING
We care about our Parish. We encourage parishioners to visit our church to spend time in private prayer, to
pray that God will return us to a loving unified community. Stay focused on God’s will (“him only, shall
you serve”) and live the Gospel. We care about, and care for, those in need.
Here are some charitable organizations worthy of our consideration:
1. Catholic Missions in Canada, 201-1155 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. M4T 1W2
2. St. Vincent de Paul Society, 240 Church St., Toronto, Ont. M5B 1Z2
3. Birthright Mississauga, 307-2600 Edenhurst, Mississauga, Ont. L5A 3Z8
4. Dr. Simone’s Canadian Food for Children, 40 King George Rd. Toronto, ON M8X 1L3
5. Ian Anderson House, 430 Winston Churchill Blvd. Oakville, Ont. L6J 7X2
6. Solidarite-Sud (Haiti), c/o Maison Alonzo Wright, 2425A St-Louis St., Gatineau QC J8V 1E7
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