Father Charles Smith Arrested for Punching Out Another Priest

By Pete Kotz in Stupid Criminals, assault, bad clergy, bizarre

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 2:28 pm

When Father Charles Smith punched out Father Paul M. Eversole, it probably wasn't divine inspiration

Father Charles Smith apparently failed to ask that time honored question, "What Would Jesus Do?" before he decided to punch out his boss. But this being the Catholic Church, Makers of the Largest Organized Pedophile Ring The World Has Ever Known (TM), it should be considered a step forward when priests are attacking each other instead of little kids.

The incident occurred a few days before the Day of Thanks at Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge, Virginia. Father Charles, it seems, wasn't too thankful for his superior, Father Paul M. Eversole. The two got into an argument. That's when Smith decided to punch out the right reverend...

It's all pretty hush-hush, and the incident's only been described under the generic terms of assault. But Smith has been officially charged with unlawful wounding. He's also been booted from the parish.

A spokeswoman for the Arlington diocese says he won't be reassigned until he faces up to his criminal charges and is "legally, mentally, and spiritually ready" go back to tending the flock.

More links from around the web!

Just look at the post above.
I would very much appriciate knowing how I can get in touch with Father Smith, I am sorry for what happened at our parish, but I always found Father the kind of Priest who would truly listen if you asked to keep your intention in his prayers. I also loved the way he said the Mass, not rushing through it, and especially at the Consecration of the Mass. Thenk you I hope you can Help
Gina, If you are interested in facts regarding child abuse, do you know that the insurance companies that insure the three largest Protestant Churches in the US report almost (by Percent) the same numbers of child abuse cases as reported within the Catholic Church since 1950? This or course does not defend either Church regarding this type of crime especially since it may be the worst action one human can do to another. Additionally, the percents reported sexual abuse cases among Protestant churches don't include historically black Protestant Churches and do not include any data from independantly run Protestant Churches. What would that number be? In terms of the crime itself, the largest numbers of those responsible for sexual abuse of minors are unfortunetly, parents. After that, teachers. Again, not a defense but an explanation. You can check these facts for yourself. My point is that if you're really concerned about this type of crime you should know the facts and then maybe you won't "love" hate speech written by pete who has nothing better to do than make ignorant, bais sattements toward the Church that he wouldn't dare make toward others groups. What would happen to Pete if he made a similiar comment regarding black on black crime? Bill Cosby caught hell for making stateemnts thatthe balck community needs to claen up its own act from inside. Or suppose Pete made a similiar statement about Jews being money lovers? Again bais in media is everywhere. So is ignorance. Before getting pulled into false information based on hate, check the facts yourself.
I cannot believe this crap is still on here! It is offensive to people. Why doesn't Google remove the stupid story plus comments?
I am saddened by this author's hate being spewed here about the Church. Brother, I truly hope you find peace.
And Fr. Eversole is transferred to Pastor of St. Matthew's in Spotsylvania. They are removing a wonderful pastor from that parish, too. I have known Fr. Smith, and I cannot imagine a calmer, more reasonable man. There has been a lot said on this site, but none of us really know what exactly happened. We most likely never will. All we can do is pray for our priests, who are, after all, human like the rest of us. Can any of us cast the first stone?
Reverend Charles C. Smith – from Administrative Leave to Parochial Vicar at the Church of Saint Veronica in Chantilly.
Your are a special Priest in the wrong environment, in my opinion You are exceptionally brilliant, and a bookworm (haHa)! You work doing good quietly; can multi-task like no other, but you also have health limitations. Getting smashed in the face only aggravated your health and sight issues most likely. I hope and pray God finds a position for you close to St. Mary Major.(u know where)
It got reduced to assault and battery. He got 12 month jail time, but it was suspended. and 3 years probabtion. He is lucky not to be a convicted fellon, that was the penalty for unlawful wounding.
Guilty, misdemeanor, 3 years' probation. It got reduced. A misdemeanor sure beats a Class 6 felony. His lucky St Paddy's day, I guess.
I just heard that Fr. Eversole agreed to drop the charges if Fr. Smith signed a confession of sorts that denied Fr. Eversole had any fault in the matter. I hope this is just rumor and is not true. My guess is this is going to trial and in the end we will all know some facts we would rather forget.
I have followed this story since it came out and have been surprised by many- so called believers- who think christians should solve their problems by the exercise of rights. The gospel presumption favors mercy. What part of: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us...do they not understand? Justice and accountability are important which is why the sacrament of reconciliation exist but nothing is more central to the gospel than the exercise of mercy when its called for and nothing more inimical to salvation than refusing to give it. At least according to many of the parables.
Invt: Responding to stupity is not having the last word and, oh, by the way, St. John Chrysostom is not twisted in his rendition of the parable of the prodigal son. You are angry of at the Church, which is fine, but get over it! There is no other game in town and the answer is not putting priests into jail or hammering them in their weaknesses. Did you read the gospel today or did that also escape you? I love it, I am Judas because I counsel mercy to a priest... to funny to be serious.
Oh wow! I cannot believe you have gone and read up on this just to have the last word! Good heavens, man, your mind is really twisted and warped, because it is you, not anyone else, that does not understand the most important lesson from this parable. Well , i sort of guessed earlier, when fwt said that he will no longer exchange ideas with you after you resorted to name calling. anyway, you must be the special Judas Iscariot, who had, according to the Gospel of Judas Iscariot, a special bond with Christ, who had more special knowledge from Christ than the rest of his apostles, and who then hanged himself at the end, according to the gospel the Church Fathers kept. Although his gospel tells a different story about the end of Judas Iscariot. You alone have the brain, obviously with an overload of dopamine, to "perceive" some twisted meaning out of Christ's gospel about the prodigal son. Don't you know, as soon as it is open to any one's interpretation, and with no unity or guidance, especially through the heretics in charge in the church right now, the meaning and lesson we are to learn from it become thoroughly distorted. all I can say to you, "go ye from the presense of a foolish man, when he perceiveth not the word of wisdom from your mouth". In the simpler form ( one that we, who are below you in intelligence, haha, can better understand) it means: "Don't hang around arguing with an idiot." Some people are out of touch with reality at various degrees. Therefore I will depart from you. Get thee behind me, Judas. A little advice: you should get on some type of dopamine blocker regime to alleviate your schizzo symptoms, soon you will see you feel better. Just make sure you don't miss a day, then you will really think lofty, you will believe you are Christ himself. Something tells me you do that already.
To jnvt: Sorry, the Fathers of the Church share in consensus that the true prodigal son was the elder not the younger son. They saw in the younger son Christ himself who left the Father's House entered the "slop" of a sinful world and then returned to Father's House bringing sinners with Him. Incarnational in fact. The banquet, is not just any banquet, but the banquet of the Father's mercy something that the elder son could not fathom. The elder son wanted to throw the book at the younger as a matter of justice but in God his mercy is his justice. Go and learn the meaning of scripture which says "I desire mercy not sacrifice". Your misunderstanding of the essence of this parable puts you with Pharisees who resented the mercy Christ always showered on sinners. He understood that some circumstances mitigate culpability and rushes to judgment are always fraught greater evil (woman caught in adultery). I suppose she, who was guilty, should have been stoned? At least according to your worldy logic. Count yourself among the multitude that believe as much. He who is forgiven much loves much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. The Gospel as "blackmail"??? I do like that one and am sure the elder brother shares your indignation.
Jimmy, I can understand that we don't want our priests threatened with jail time. No one here does either. I believe this priest will never see the inside of a jail, no matter what the outcome in court. As for your concept of "mercy" I think you are confusing real mercy with not taking responsibility here . The parable of the prodical son does not fit here, this young man lived a terrible sinful life, repented, fianlly when he hit rock bottom came home and was prepared to be punished by his father. He admitted it was his fault and gave himself totally up to the mercy of his father. He didn't say, Oh, I had circumstances that made me do these things, it's not all my fault. The elder brother didn't miss out on too much, for he had the fathers assurance that he would inherit everything the father had . so this celebration, as you call it, didn't mean a heck of a lot to him anyway. Probably the injustice of it, as he saw it, would have given him indigestion. Who can enjoy something when you are mentally not prepared to understand the reasoning. In this case, you say that Fr. Smith should not take the full consequences of his actions, meaning, he is going to blame others for his deed. I dont see this as repenting fully, taking blame for what he did, making an inner turnaround with everything else too, and putting himself at the mercy of the Lord, saying, whatever your will is, Lord, I will obey. And yes, you never say that Fr. Sm. should not be punished, neither do you say he should be held accountable for his action. But no where in this parable did the father say the elder son would be with out mercy himself if he did not take part in this celebration. You are constantly trying here to intimidate people with a good sense of justice to feel guilty, because they do not prescribe to your definition of "mercy" and let the culprit off the hook. Read the parable again, you will see it was up to the father to forgive his younger son. YOur insinuated threat about the diocese being exposed for what ever goes on, well, it most certainly should be, if there are things that need exposing. do you think withdrawing the charges is going to keep Fr. Smith's mouth shut about bad things he knows? what kind of a hypocrite do you make Fr. Smith out to be then? You say he can live with atrocities that go on, if just he does not have to face the consequences of his own bad actions? Oh, how disgusting!! It's almost like blackmailing. Oh no, I don't believe for one minute that Fr. Smith agrees to this kind of venue. He would be less than a priest, wouldn't he? Besides, morally stronger men than Fr.smith have tried that, the Bishop squashed them, mercylessly, and wrongfully, like fruit flies. I'm afraid, given the history of this diocese since Bishop Louverde came in, Fr. smith would then find himself in quicksand.
Quite frankly I don't like to see my priests threatened with jail time. Others here seem to have no trouble with the concept of retributive justice but the concept of "mercy" seems an affront to their christian sensibilities. They are as confounded as the Elder brother in the prodigal son whose disposition excludes him from the celebration. Mercy and forgiveness are the heart of the gospel not retributive justice. The rack and thumb screws really are not necessary. A trial will also expose the diocese via counter claims that surely will be made.
Jimmy, why are you shedding such a bad ligth on Fr.smith by insinuating he would not want to take responsiblity for his actions? You come across as if you were his spokesperson. I have a hard time thinking that Fr. Smith is so irresponsible as you make him out to be. These constant remarks about Fr. Eversole being so bad, and he is unchristian in not withdrawing charges etc, are they really Fr. Smithes Ideas? how do you know what Fr. Smith wants? We only see your opinion here, and you really make the poor man look like an irresponsible wimp. He can speak for himself, we don't have his opinion here. And what ever you think of anybody;s thoughts on here about Fr. Eversole or Fr. Smith, it's really up to the both of them to do what they think is right. So your constant opposition to people that have a feeling for right and wrong and your "mercy" attacks, are really making us think you have fr. Smithes permission to say these things. I hope this is not true. He might be horrified at the way he is portrayed by you on here. I for one, will give him the benefit of the doubt.
This post came in twice, I wonder how that happened. I thought I had lost one of them, it must have just hung in limbo. But the point came across. I believe we will just have to wait for the court date now.
Sorry to threaten with the Gospel message. I guess it does not apply to those who would be judge, jury and hangman. Good luck on Judgment Day. Mercy has little meaning in a Turkish prison and apparently little meaning here. No where have I condoned Fr. Smith's actions but don't think throwing the "book" at him solves very much. Many posts here reveal unresolved anger and rage at the Church. At the heart, and without a doubt a "forgiveness" issue.
Oh boy, now we are fighting over who has influence over the most High to mete out mercy in the next life. I guess Jimmy, you have dibbs on that? Fwt and ex-parishioner and Jimmy think about that: Where was it that Pope JP II went to forgive his would-be assassin? it seems the guy was in jail. I wonder why the pontiff did not ask authorities to release him if forgiveness includes not pressing charges. You may well say, this is a different matter, oh, but look closer, violence can be deadly anytime. Even without wanting to kill some one. Clearly the pope';s attacker had in mind to kill him, based on some fanatic principle, ( but real to him). He was no threat to any other person. Still he has to sit out his sentence. Fr. Eversole could have been killed by Smith's attack, all he had to do is have an unlucky fall or he could have hit him upside the head in a unlucky manner. Its clear that Fr. Smith did not intend to kill Fr. Eversole, but he felt he did not have to restrain himself enough to walk away. When he made the decision to lift his fist to smash Fr. Eversole, he became less than a priest, he was reckless with his priesthood. And thinking he doesn't have to pay the consequences, is even more reckless and pretty cocky. Violence is violence and a crime. So forgiveness in a jail cell or from the pulpit of a church is the same, valid and christian. Does not have to include letting a crime go without taking responsibility.
Now we are already fighting over who has control to tell God where and to whom he needs to extend his mercy , here and in the next world. And think JImmy thinks he has dibbs on that. fwt and Jimmy contemplate this one: When Pope Paul John II was wounded by a would be assassin, where did the Holy Father forgive his assailant? I believe it was in jail. And moreover, this man is sitting out his whole sentence. you might well say, oh, this cannot be compared to one priest beating another one bloody, but look closer, any form of violence out of control can be deadly. Seems that forgiveness does include pressing charges, otherwise the Holy Father would have told authorities, let this man go free. then you might say, well, this was a criminal, here we are dealing with a priest. Don't be fooled, this man who wanted to kill the pope was free of crime too before this attack. He was driven by some kind of fanatic idealism, thinking the world would be better off without the pontiff, here we have a person who wanted his way, even if it meant wounding somebody else, who might have been killed from this attack from an unlucky fall or hit on the head. so I think the concept of settling out of court, does not apply to this kind of crime. And Fr. Eversole's forgiveness is valid. I know I'm going to get attacked for this now, but that ought to be an example how the church should treat violent aggressors, no matter who they are.
Oh my goodness, fwt, please do not let Jimmy confuse you. You are of sound judgement in this matter. anyone who has to resort to name calling and patronizing others - i have to laugh because he actually threatens us with no mercy from God in the next world - is standing on shaky grounds. maybe he has a hot line to the Lord, but I doubt it very much. His call to "mercy" seeks to confuse righteous minds, it wants to brain wash you into thinking that his way is correct, no matter what the crime. He may even believe it. What he is referring to "settling on the way to court" worked ( and was meant) for a world where there were few christians, and everything around them was pagan. or it was the jewish law, which ahd strayed from God. in other words, these courts were not based on laws from our God. Here, we base our laws on morals that stem from the judeo-christian values. I don't think Jimmy's idea applies anymore. Maybe Jimmy is referring to the fact that this crime was committed by a priest, and therefore should be handled by the church. Since the church here is bound by the law of the land, it would be remiss if it did not allow the law to judge. They want to be "liberal" in so many other things, why not judgement in courts? I don't know waht canon law says, but I know an act of violence is no light matter and is not condoned. Well, both of us, and many many others, know that Jimmy's concept in this case seems wrong. He really stays in denial that this priest has committed a serious crime. And he thinks that a conviction will end his career. it's really simple, you do the crime, you do the time. Or at least you take responsibility for the crime. even further, you do the time regardless of mercy or not, for evry sin we commit. I believe Jimmy understands the concept of turning to the law very well, only he is extremely biased in this case towards fr. Smith and wants him to stay a priest, thinking he made a "mistake". but in my opinion he is not helping Fr. Smith in this way, because even if he were allowed to stay in the priesthood, this is like a dark cloud hanging over his head. It might encourage him to think he doesn't have to own up for what he did. He would never have closure, always would feel as if he "got away with something" and the sword is hanging ovr his head. If he were a good priest, then he would take a good look inside himself, and see the many things that need to change. It's not just the violent part that's hindering him to be an effective priest of the Roman Church, it's also his inclination to other things, and the lies that come with it, that really renders him useless for the church. A nasty, destructive compulsion with it's repetitive behavior pattern is hard to break, especially if you don't have to show responsibility for your deeds. You can slink away to another parish and repeat the act, and leave devastation behind, as somebody who had been hurt by him so aptly said recently. What was it the Holy Father said a few years ago? He'd rather have fewer priests, but good ones, they must be above reproach.
Only in a sick, inverted and twisted mind is a call for mercy and understanding "Un-Christlike". Of diabolic orgin I believe. Go ahead press for your "justice" in this world but don't expect mercy in the next.
You tempt me and maybe other readers to rise to your un-Christlike namecalling with the 'pol[l]yanish naive attempt to sort out blame" accusation. I reiterate - you are slinging as much blame or more as the rest of us. Anyone who can defend an act of violence like you have over and over is perhaps someone I need to finally steer clear of and be all the wiser for doing so. Detachment is always a good tactic in any "messy situation." Nothing about your words, jimmy, is "tempered" with mercy. Thank you for reminding me I can maintain my integrity, and not succumb to needing to have the last word. That's something I can never perfect. Here's a chance to do so now.
To fwt and ex-parishioner: Nowhere did I grant a right to assault to anyone. My posts merely made the observation that the pastor had forgiven his assailant from the pulput and then proceeds to squeeze him to the max according to his rights. Jesus commands us to "settle" with opponents while on the way to court. Canon law requires the same. Just because I don't want a priest put on a judicial rack doesn't mean I condone what he apparently did. However circumstances do matter in concluding to culpability. Fr. Eversole proceeding in this way leads me to conclude that the assault was aggravated. At least plausible, or probable, and possibly likely. The pastor has a history of "pissing off" associates. Doesn't excuse but certainly explains. You both have sided with your comrade the pastor. Some would call that enabling. I prefer to call it a polyanish naive attempt to sort out blame in a messy situation. The beatitude to hunger and thrist for justice is tempered by the next one directed to mercy. Some people always want a pound of flesh... the way of the world; not of Christ.
"Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's." I thought it'd be a waste of time checking this series of messages again, but wow - there is still this thought that one man, for whatever reason *unknown* to any of us, had a right to deck another man. You raise that one step higher - one priest had the right, unknown to any of us, to deck another priest. There are avenues where whatever provocation you have hinted at, Jimmy, could've been addressed much more successfully than with two fists. I already stated I don't know Fr Smith and I do feel so badly that he lost control in this manner. Was there a comfort zone where it's okay to hit another person because he provoked you? would a parishioner have been at risk for doing same? or was it because it was his fellow priest? What qualifies as "provocation?" I would think the only reason to resort to fists would be a physical attack, like when the pastor lost his life to the crazed stabbing custodian recently. There is simply no way a situation like that was what occurred or Fr Smith would have claimed self-defense. Jimmy, I must say, if you are the same Jimmy who initially posted, your tone has changed from one of "we should wait and see, since we weren't there, there could be more as it takes two to tango" (not a direct quote, BTW) to "Fr Smith had reason to do this," as you say it's not an excuse but an *explanation.* Well, you and a few others might be the only ones buying that "explanation." I'm not. I refuse to. I am deeply saddened that Fr Smith did this, as it injured Fr Eversole and has ruined his own record as a pastor/priest. This wasn't a mistake. This was an actual form of assault and it's being treated as a class 6 felony. Have you seen the sentencing that can be meted out? A class 3 is even more dire. The courts don't look lightly upon battery of this nature. Fr Eversole, being the victim of this assault, you can call him anything you feel comfortable with, but he is, by law, the victim, has rights. You would have rights. No one would be able to tell you that you are wrong pursuing the court case because they think you should forget while you forgive. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the preventive Fr Smith needs to never ever ever ever do this again. As someone else said, Fr Eversole's injuries could've been a hell of a lot worse. Perhaps even deadly. Or maybe Fr Smith could've hit someone some other time and done grave harm. I don't think he'll resort to his fists ever again after this. You are entitled to your opinion that is apparently colored by your inside knowledge, and I am entitled to mine. Which is, this has to be addressed, and Fr Eversole is the only one who gets to say how he addresses it. Your judgement that he needs to drop the court proceeding smacks of being imprudent and I have yet to see you addressing Fr Smith's action in the same way. Bottom line - how fair are you being, no matter what you know in a "privy" manner? Are you practicing what you preach about forgiving and offering olive branches? I don't see it.
Jimmy, I can see that we interpret this part of the scripture, to settle among ourselves, in differnt ways. Be that as it may, where do you draw the line then, there are many many "christians" on this earth now. They do terrible things to each other, if no one went to the law , we would have anarchy. There would be such chaos and confusion and lawlessness, which is really only straying from God's commands. People are not able to self discipline and control themselves, even in the church . If Eversole is expected not to press charges against Smith, his attacker, would he be required also to withdraw charges if , lets say, the trash man beat him up like that? fr. Smith is lucky, Eversole could have been hit, fell and hit his head unluckily at an edge , which might have caused his death. Would you then also advocate not pressing charges against Fr. Smith and settle it in the church? I don't believe Jesus meant to settle away from our law ( the law he meant back then was really the Jewish law ,and the Jews had sadly strayed from and were not always following God's commands, and therefore the Lord's sharp criticism for the pharisees) , but I thought in civilized countries we have laws based really on moral values, which are strikingly similar to the 10 commandments. Well, Jimmy you sound as if you know more about that piece of scripture than I do. But I have asked a priest on that issue too, he seems to feel the same way I do. And why do you always just look to this part of scripture for this case? Jesus also said "put away your sword, he who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword." that to me sounds like, "do not be violent."
To ex-parishioner: No where in scripture does Jesus tells us to take other christians to law over even legitimate grievances. He commands us to "settle" not to press rights. No where did I say Fr. Eversole did "unspeakable" things but it does not take Nostrodamus to forsee the priest here, Fr. Smith, was provoked. That doesn't excuse but it does explain. Those who "press rights" in this world, like you seem to advocate are promised a long road of purgation in the next. My position does not turn of exact knowledge of the facts but on human nature and the prescriptions in the Gospel. Since when does forgiveness involve "pressing" your opponent? Different translation maybe? One ought to beware of that approach until the general judgement or risk "strict justice" yourself.
Jimmy, it seems to me you have some knowledge that the rest of us do not have. Maybe Betsy has too. But from where I stand, these remarks the two of you make about Eversole seem extremely unchristian and cruel. Because when I read all the comments above, you seem to hint or even write in some cases that you are privy to things you wish you werent. It comes across to me as if Fr. Eversole had done some horrible things to his vicar. And therefore, the vicar was entitled to just get mad ( let's say he came to a breaking point) and beat the stuffing out of his boss. And, from what I read from you, based on this you want Eversole to include in his "forgiveness" the withdrawal of the charges against his attacker. You say it's not christian for Eversole to press on. So I believe you look at this matter from a different point of view than those of us here that only know what we see. The visible facts. which are , to the best of our knowledge, that an out of control Priest hit another one, when he might have walked away from a dispute or some other abuse he felt was inflicted upon him. You may be absolutely right, maybe the provocation was very strong. But even so, beating somebody is unlawful. And I'm pretty sure the God I pray to does not condone it. And, thankfully, the law provides that the battered person has remedies available. And where it is not unlawful to let charges stand against ones assailant, it is unlawful to injure and batter another person, no matter who or why. I see your point, you may know things that turn you agaisnt Fr. Eversole and overlook the horrible act of violence against him. You got to remember, we do not know these things, and even if I knew, ( I think everybody is clear that Fr. Smith does not just go around hitting people when he gets mad) how strong the provocation was, I still am inclined to abhorr violence and therefore am deeply saddened and disappointed in his action. I still think the attacker needs to pay for what he has done. If Eversole has done unspeakable things to Smith, he should pay too. Well, the Lord is merciful and just, and as He forgives our sins and does not let us come to death, because He is just, we still must pay for every sin we have committed. If not here, then in purgatory. Maybe it's time for Fr. Smith to pay for this mistake here. Then he doesn't have to pay it off later. Forgiveness doesnt mean forgetting for us . It is very hard to forgive somebody, if you hate what they have done to you. I still say it's up to Eversole to do what he thinks best. It's his soul here, not ours, that hangs in the balance. He has free will from God, I can't say about myself that I am always so straight and follow the ways of God to the T. I try, but it's not easy.
What did parishioner say to Betsy? How dare she stir up trouble? Are you kidding me? She is asking for settlement according to the dictates of the Gospel. Fr. Eversole has already forgiven him from the pulpit. What kind of hypocrite "forgives" and then presses the matter. Point being while Fr. Eversole maybe was on the losing end of this encounter he may well be more victimizer than victim. In the aftermath, apparently acting as such. And now the micromanaging pastor with a history of heavyhandedness portrayed as a battered wife? How naive!
Actually I'm wrong. Different church. Sadly, this church is located right off of route 1 in woodbridge (AKA "hoodbridge") If you're not familiar with that area, you are a lucky person. I can see people getting stressed just by having to be in that area.
OMG, this guy baptized my kid! No wonder the holy water didn't burn her. It probably wasn't real. Apparently he can touch it either!!! Then they kept sending my requests for money that I threw in the trash. I feel really guilty now.
How dare anyone, including you, Betsy, ( who seems to only want to stir up trouble here) ever blame a victim of clergy abuse, even done to another clergy, for speaking out and seeking settlement and a show of responsibility for the criminal act. Where to you get off telling the victim , Fr. Eversole to drop the charges after what he had endured? Do you not know that assault and battery, and unlawful wounding are crimes? It's up to Fr. Eversole what he wants to do, he is the injured party here. I bet if your husband beat the hell out of you one day, or you get beaten up by muggers, you wouldn't be so quick to run and drop the charges against him or them. How low have we sunk morally that we could think that a priest, who beats another one bloody, is a better character model than his victim who has charges against him?
The Bishop should ask Fr. Eversole to either drop the charges or give up his pastorate. I will steer my children away from Fr. Eversole if he does not make good on his pledge to "forgive" the incident. What kind of hypocrite makes a public announcement of forgiveness and then works behind the scenes to press the matter? Certainly not a character model!
To fwt and nancy: I know this that peace is the fruit of forgiveness not the exercise of rights because of some future imaginary fear. The "or else" mentioned by Christ is that if things are not settled with opponents that person will be "turned over to the judge and from the judge to jailer and you will not be released until the last penny is paid". We are all debtors to Christ. The Petition in the Our Father also says that our sins are forgiven only in so far as we forgive those who trespass against us. Those things that "do not fit" in our lives, even within the Church, is the cross promised all disciples. That is one man's take on this sad situation. And that take is animated by knowledge I wish I was not privy to.
fwt, thank you so much for sharing this with us. I could use some peace, maybe as time goes by I can calm down a bit. God bless you too. Fr. Paul is lucky, it's a true friend who sticks up for him in times of trouble.
This might sound off-topic, but it's not. I just saw this young man on the news who was stuck in Newark on his way to a mission trip in India; six hours into the delay on the 3rd January he breaks out his guitar and gets the crowd going with "Hey, Jude." I You-Tube'd him and he has a song, "Savior, Please." This song is about falling down, reaching up, reaching out. Josh Wilson is his name. I needed this little shot of courage this morning. I can tell each of you do as well. You might get several minutes of calm from his guitar and his voice and his kindness. I know I did. I wanted to leave that thought here today as I head out and clear off my car. The doxology: "May The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Prayer that I found that resonates for each of us: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Be patient with me. Lord Jesus Christ, you are patient with me Show me how to be patient. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God Have mercy on me. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God Have pity on me and heal me. Jesus Christ, Son of God I give you thanks and praise Gentle savior be near me now. Jesus Christ, Son of God Help me hear your voice. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me. Lord Jesus Christ, I believe. Help my unbelief. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself for me (us) Show me how to be humble for you. Lord Jesus Christ, you are gentle with me, Show me how to be gentle. Lord Jesus Christ, you have forgiven me, Help me to forgive. Lord Jesus Christ, You are compassionate, Show me how to be compassionate. Lord Jesus Christ, be my light in the darkness And heal me." God bless my friends on this thread and Fr Paul and Fr Charles and Fr Michael Duesterhaus.
Jimmy, I appreciate the way you try to help, but looking at the cross to answer my question of why I have to suffer this, and why this happened to the priests is not helping me anymore. I can feel myself slipping in my faith, because priests, who are/were my role models, are doing things that don't fit. We went to them w/ problems like that, hoping they would have some guidance and help for us. I know, they are human and all that, yet they are separate from us, and special. I'm not familiar w/ the part where Jesus says, settle on your way to court or else. What is the "or else"? And believe me, I'm keenly aware that this is not one-sided, but still, you can't undo what happend, like fwt says. I have a hard time here with what happened, and yes, we have feelings and believed so strongly in these 2 priests. Well, i guess time might be able to heal it, I suppose fwt is right on this. Jimmy i thought too that the church should handle this, but what if an act of violence is not somehow punished, can you guarantee that next time Fr. Charles gets angry he won't lash out again, and maybe this time it will be a parishioner? How can you be so sure it's a one time occurrance? usually when something like this happens, it's the tip of the iceberg. Uncontrolled behavior which ends in violence brings fear. How can we trust him again? And am I somehow considered a bad person here, asking this question, because violence makes me fearful?
No one can undo the past. What do we do today and tomorrow, if tomorrow comes? The reading yesterday, the 6th, the Feast of Epiphany, was that "perfect love casts out fear." I've been afraid of so many things in my life - an abusive childhood, family history of violence and pain and abuse, things that don't go away just because you grow up and get married and have kids like you dream about. Dreams get shattered. I will repeat, I have known Fr Paul since we were kids blowing our instruments in band together thirty years ago. This is not where Fr Paul's dreams would've led him, nor I'm sure, Fr Smith's. What do we do with today? What do we do with our sense of shock and dismay and FEAR? Jimmy, you sound entitled somehow (I can't find a better word for "entitled," sorry) to knowledge of this event and not having this offense go forward. None of us was there. God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit was present."Be not afraid." JPII said it so often. You and I have not been in either priest's shoes over the last several years. No one's been in my shoes. That is the bittersweet truth of having a conscience, having feelings, being hurt by whatever life dishes out to you - where do you go with your pain? Bad things happen to good people. This has befallen both of these men. We are not privy to what happened. We are not entitled to make their decisions for them, no matter how much this affects us or our opinions of them. I have formed opinions, personally, of pastors based on extensive interactions with them over a period of time. I can see that the same has happened here. I don't blame anyone for wanting answers and getting this fixed. But detachment, for now, seems to be what this situation calls for - some cool head to prevail and get this turned around. Christian virtue? Yes, how about this series of messages that's being left here? You float things out in the internet ether, you want to know it won't continue to harm once an issue is resolved. Yes? "One-sided?" If, as Catholics, we can trust that God is in control of this upheaval and rupture, He's got all the sides covered. That is the only way I'm letting myself look at it. Two men, one God, one truth. Give it time. So many things turn around with time and love and patience and compassion. I am living proof of that. You have no idea."Where there is life there is hope." Fr Eversole and Fr Smith need the Church's aid right now. "Love never fails." Are we going to live this out or not? The world watches this and judges Jesus by it, not just us. God bless everyone hurt by this and waiting for help.
Nancy: Take one look at the cross to answer your question. Litigation is always messy business and to be avoided. Jesus says: Settle with your opponent while on the way to court OR else. The warning he gives is not pretty. Fr. Eversole should exercise his christian virtue so some good can come out of this mess. So far I have seen little evidence that he has "manned up" to the high road. Which means this case is not so one sided as some have made it.
I guess what I was trying to say, and didn't quite get it out, was this: how would it feel to Fr. Eversole, if people walk up to him, especially when he was so swollen and his face looked horrible, and said, "now, Fr. Eversole, make sure you drop the charges against your attacker"? He got hurt badly, there is no way around that, and if people ask him to drop the charges he gets hurt again. I have done that, worried sick about Fr. Charles' priesthood. I have asked Fr. Eversole to drop the charges. I can just imagine how he must have felt. That is so pityful, he gets hurt twice then. But I wasn't thinking about that, I was in shock and scared silly. It's like saying, it's bad you got hurt, but not important enough for us to think you should get justice. It is easy when you are not the victim , you are not the one who has been violated and traumatized and injured, to say, the attacker is a good person, and how dare the victim not drop the charges. You know Judge Judy might say: who broke the law here? who, 45 years of age, stepped over the line and even injured another person? If the consequences are getting a conviction, which destroyes his own priesthood, how can he or any one else blame the victim? Because the victim provoked him? Maybe, but this is hear say, we don't know that for sure. But is the provocation terrible enough to stand up in court? I dont' understand. I guess I'm thinking w/ the law here: this person made a rash decision to hurt somebody and probably expected not having to take the consequences, because, as you imply above, the victim might not want the reason for the attack known in public. This seems to me sort of a black mail, either you drop the charges and let me get away w / the beating, or I tell everybody what ever. That does not seem like a good priest to me either. either way, as i said, we have a lot of trauma to metabolize here, I don't know what to think. I am really torn here. The law does not excuse provocation, unless it's hands on, in most cases. However if Fr. Smith has knowledge of some wrongs in the parish, is he threatening to blast this info all over the place? Maybe he should have tried to correct it before? Does he think that will exonerate him from what he did? Or does he really think if he does that, there is one person left in the parish that will still be on his side? Maybe there will. But we, the people here, that trusted both of them so much, will get hurt again too. I feel blameless in this whole affair, I have done nothing to provoke either one of them, or have hit neither one of them. Why must I and so many others, by the out-of- control action of one priest, go through this horror and confusion?
Jimmy, it seems you have a lot more insight into the incident than we have. I'm sure you know what you are talking about, but we, even the people that were relatively close to Fr. Eversole, have no idea that he provoked Fr. Charles. We don't know these hidden things people talk about now so much, we only know what we can see. I can't quite make out what you mean, when you say Fr. Eversole was hit twice because he was blocking whose exit from his own office? Who was blocking whom? And Father Charles could maybe have gone to counseling for help, if the stress was too much. I dont understand why he didn't ask for a transfer when his 3 years were up in June if things were so bad there. In fact, it seemed as if he wanted to stay, since he waited for the news back in June and was glad he could stay another year. I dont' understand how Fr. Eversole is destroying Fr. Charles' priesthood? I thought Fr. Charles is doing ok? At least reports from other people say he has no worries. I guess I have to ask myself, what would I do if I maybe said something to somebody they didn't like, and they turned on me and beat me so badly, that I will have a permanent scar on my face: would I just go to the court and ask the district attorney to drop the charges for this person? I don't know, I doubt it, though. Just think of the many spousal abuses that take place, many of the wives drop the charges because the husband in jail will cause even more hardship to the family. So the family gets hurt, the wife and kids suffer, the abuser gets off scott free. I don't know if this is right either. I had a friend who had her 2 girls in Aquinus School, and her husband beat her up. The children were suffering, their grades dropped, and finally, after witnessing one more beating one of the girls called 911, because she feared for her Mom's life. They took the Dad to jail, ( he was a colonel in the ARmy) and he talked her into dropping the charges, because otherwise they would kick him out of the Army, he told her, and she would be without money. And it would all be her fault if he lost his career. She was not even allowed to go see a doctor when she was injured by her husband. So she dropped the charges, it didn't go to trial, he left his family, they became destitute, there was an ugly divorce and guess who got off scott free w/ all his money? The family is poor, the girls are struggling w/ their education, and the abuser made full colonel and retired, got another good paying job and stopped paying his child support. Do you think it was the right thing to do for her to drop the charges against her husband in this case? You have to ask yourself, if Fr. Charles can lose it like this, how do you know if you ever said something to him that he didnt like, would he attack you too? I think this fear is in the back of one's mind, no matter how gentle he seemed before this incident. I don't know what the right answer is, but I believe I would be hard pressed to forget and just forgive an assault of this caliber. Maybe I'm not holy enough.
Nancy: Fr. Eversole was hit twice because he was blocking Fr. Eversole's exit from his own office. Tragic but something less than the beating he portrays to everyone. What kind of forgiveness bears the mark of pressing one's rights to the limit? What kind of an example does he give by not letting bygones be bygones? While Fr. Smith is guilty of aggravated battery, Fr. Eversole is is destroying a man's priesthood. From begining to end he was the provocateur. If he allows this to go to trial the world is going to know it also.
Absolutely, nancy, this has been on my mind so much today, and thinking of this parish that has had such upheaval. Fr D and Fr Paul were at St William of York together. I have no clue whatsoever about anything that ended in such an event for either Fr Paul or Fr Smith. I would be out of line to express anything but the utmost concern for this entire church - you, your friends, your families. Your pastors, past and present. I implore our bishop to see this through to a resolution that keeps everyone safe and whole. I am so very sorry it's been so hard. Fr Duesterhaus is one of a kind - he is a pearl and big-hearted. I am so sorry your church family has had a trauma. Crisis sometimes seems to lead to rock-bottom, but, I've learned, that means nowhere to go but up. You are in my prayers, nancy, and I appreciate what you wrote. Feelings matter. Kindness matters - "What is desirable in a man is his kindness." Prov 19:22 God bless and keep your church family and you, dear nancy.
ftw, it speaks for you that you stick with your friend, some one who helped you before and was good to you. I'm glad Fr. Eversole has good friends. However, you are lucky, Fr. Eversole is very selective in giving his friendship, or even his time. But I feel sorry for him, it looks as if he will take away a permanent scar over his right eye from this unfortunate incident. Also, the trauma of being attacked and beaten will stay with him for a while. And he did not deserve this. No one deserves to be beaten so brutally. I don't know what could have happened to cause Fr. Smith to lose it, you may know as Fr. Eversole's friend. But it gives those of us who were relatively close to both priests a frightened, insecure feeling: we have been traumatized too, and dont' really know where to turn with this. I feel like I'm still scared, and helplessly groping in the dark to find an answer to this. You are right, Fr. Duesterhaus is a blessing there, he seems strong, resolute, and his presence gives the parish a sense of stability. I think Fr. Eversole and Fr. Duesterhaus work well together. I know that everything is supposed to happen for some reason, and they tell us that nothing happens to us which is not for our good. Well, maybe things got shook up, things that should not have been taking place. who knows? And maybe now people are taking stock and changing their ways. Let's hope that this has some good coming from it for all of us.
Yes, Jimmy, that is what I meant by "something must have been wrong for some time." I lived on the wrong side of life in the early '90s and one person who saved me during those struggles was Fr Paul Eversole. I know what I know, and I am sure his parishioners feel the same. If old friends don't hold you tighter than ever when things are wrong, who will? He was a faithful friend to me and my family during what can only be called a living hell. Fr Deusterhaus' presence is going to be such a good thing. Both Fr Paul and Fr Smith are in my heartfelt prayers. This is where a bishop practicing his headship is called for. The situation boiled over into something unbearable for all concerned. Blame, shame and despair can kill. Compassion and patience can heal. God bless all who are caught up in this. There is no way either of these men involved would've dreamt this could happen. God is bigger than all of us. He can make something good come from this. My life is proof of that, and Fr Paul is one reason I can say that. It's biased, but that is what friendship is all about. He is my friend and I pray for him and Fr Smith and Fr D. What a long road ahead for everyone. God bless.
To fwt Everyone thought they knew Tiger Woods before his latest revelations. Anyone is capable of falling at any time which is why we need to pray for each other especially our priests who are subject to special attention from the adversary. If anyone has any sense this case should never find its way to the court room.
Fr Eversole is my daughter's godfather. I have known this man since we were in jr high together. I don't know how anything like this could've happened, I am so sorry for him and for Fr Smith, whom I've never met. Fr Eversole has never been my pastor, but he's been a true friend when I've had calamity strike my family more than once. He is the one we sought out when things fell apart. To think of him being punched and to think Fr Smith reached the stage where he could come undone to such an extent - it's very very sad. All I can say is that I have had public shame about my life choices, and I am the last who can point fingers at either of these men. One I absolutely cherish and one I do not know at all. Both are in my prayers. Something was wrong and might've been wrong for some time. Now it is up to these two men to sort this out, whether in court or behind closed doors. None of us know their hearts, none of us know their burdens. Two men that are trying to serve God are having a rough time. Anybody out there had rough times before? Fr Paul tended to my family when my little brother shot himself to death, and his voice was on my parents' answering machine when I went into that broken, dismal house for his funeral. His father was my brothers' principal. It's a small world. You should be careful where you throw stones. My heart breaks that a man who's been a shepherd to my family is being called such names. Yes, I've had priests abandon my family and I've gone to other parishes, too, to avoid him/them. It happens. I didn't get on public message boards and possibly libel them and spread scandal. I was a convert from some of the most legalistic "Christian" insanity on the planet. To find the same thing in posts here about two men whose worlds have fallen apart - you want your son's name dissected like this with uninformed people vilifying him, either side of it? Please remember both of them have hearts. Whether you agree or not, remember the Golden Rule. It's a joke to the outside world, but it can be the breaking point for those involved. Please don't push it that far. I'm speaking up for my dear friend Fr Paul. I am praying for Fr Charles. I don't know what else to do.
The floodgates were open to this corruption when Humanae Vitae was essentially rejected as teaching to be lived by. That separation between unity and procreation has done all the damage. Even Roe v. Wade was the fruit of reasoning in the Griswald case.
Sad that a person in a position of power expecially a person of God would take advantage of any individual. Thank God this priest did not molest a child. No ware for the worst , it doesn't make the situation any better. It doesn't matter if it's the Catholic Church or any Church , sexual assault, or consensual sex with a person that is setting the example is wrong.
CC, I'm sure you are right. It makes one shudder to see how much filth is going on in religious organizations. HOwever, I care most about my church, and one priest molesting a child, engaging in homosexual behavior w/ another adult or child, or a fornicating or adulterous priest is one too many. Just because others do it, does not exonerate our priests. And I know you didn't mean to imply that, but to know that others do it too, does not help heal the hurt that was done to us in our parish.
5,000 priests worldwide, the catholic church 1/6 of the world's population. Thats one billion people. No one should be abused, the percentage is small considering the size of the church.Report: former Episcopal priest was convicted of molesting a 14-year-old boy, a Baptist pastor from South Carolina was starting a 60 year prison center for molesting 23 children, another Baptist pastor was dismissed from his church in upstate New York over allegations of abuse, a pastor in DeKalb, GA, was found guilty of 25 charges of molestation of a male teen-aged church member, and an Orthodox rabbi was about to go on trial for groping two teenage girls. " According to one study of eighty-nine married Mormon women from "very religious" homes, 26 percent had been sexually abused as children. OMG,I thought it was just the catholic church.
Robert, I agree wholeheartedly with you. My husband would have done the same if somebody had tried to mess with me. But then, I would never have let a priest come close to me that way. Some priests are hugging women constantly, to the point of offending onlookers, as it was in OLA where the slugging took place. I wonder sometimes why some of the husbands are so spineless when they see priests touching their wives too much.
Granted, the Haley case was handled poorly. We as laity have to do the lion share of the policing since priest are hamstrung by bishops who just want problems to go away. If some priest had monkey business with my wife I would punch him myself. And if the bishop refused to discipline him the bishop would himself taste the floor. We must not take no for an answer anymore.
Robert, as I read Fr. Haleys case, one of the priests he had reported impregnated a married woman, who's husband sued the diocese and the priest. Fr. Haley, who had a gag order from B. Loverde, was called as a witness by subpeona to testify in the husband's case. If he did not testify, he would have been in contempt of court. He did not voluntarily go to the press. But after he did the deposition, the Bishop defrocked him, even though it was not his fault. The woman got divorced and later married the priest, who had to leave only after things became public. The bishop left him in place even when this woman came out of his bedroom for all to see what was going on. There is cover up for the actions of homosexual priests, when they run out of "fresh Meat" they go after the young. And there is cover up for the adulterous priests, it is sickening. And I am worried that JImmy may be on to something when he asks Robert in his 3. sentence, "does the existing church still contain all the means necessary for our salvation?"
I mean Why would My priest father charles smith punch another priest like i mean why would they take him to jail THEY WERE MY FAVORITE PRIESTS!
What's all this nonsense about the church being "perfect?" Seems that priests are put on too much of a pedastal, they're just humans. It is odd to me how quick people are to bring up pedophilia whenever clergy is in the news,though. We should take into account the overall ratio of priests who don't abuse kids compared to those that do. Unfortunately, the sin that as bad if not worse than the abuse is how the church becomes complicit by covering it up and helping them get off easy. The problems aren't with christianity itself, it's with the Vatican, Catholicism, and some of the devotees.
To Robert: Thats easy enough to answer when someone has an axe to grind the reality trail is a bit obscure. Anger and resentment explains many comments here. The only question to answer is whether the Church that exists still contains all the means necessary for salvation? After that no real room for complaints from the peanut gallery, at least in my book.
Just how does this web site on a lamentable incident between two priests morph into a tirade against homosexuality? Fr. Haley's case while tragic could have been handled in a different way. He threatened to take his case to the press, executed the threat, and then was executed himself. Reckless, without the restraint he demanded in others.
The problem has been escalating in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and around the world since Vatican II. The continued ordination of homosexual priest's in overflow numbers will continue to be a scandal and blight within the Church, until such time as "Rome" sees fit to end the madness that has been perpetrated by unprincipled and wayward church hierarchy. The reason these bishops have covered up for these homosexual pedophile priests for decades is because "they" themselves are flaming homosexuals! This is a reality and anyone with half a brain stem who has been active in the church and especially if they have ever been a seminarian or former religous can attest too. It has been almost a prerequisite before entrance to the seminary or a religious community that you are gay. The people who are screening you and admitting candidates are homosexuals and despise heterosexual conservative Catholic men and women! The old-boy homosexual network of throwing out the wheat and retaining the chaff, has been going on for decades in this country, and shall we say" the proof is in the pudding". Scandal after scandal, shame and mockery by the media and cynics of our Church laugh us to scorn and are revelling in the negativity that has been swirling around the Church, due to the horrific actions by a score of men who should never have been ordained in the first place! What powers of discernment do our Catholic leaders have when they continue to see this problem and yet do nothing to ameliorate it. I am a devout Catholic and am repulsed, shamed and disgusted with the leaders of my Church, who have stood by idly while children were violated and there faith destroyed. How dare ANYONE ever blame the child or victim of clergy abuse for speaking out and seeking settlement for these monstrous acts.
Houston, I am so sorry to had to witness a priest carrying on with a married woman, especially one you knew. This must have been a terrible shock and burden for you. But as much anguish this causes all of us, he has a problem here. I'm not sure how this will be corrected, but duty tells us to report it. Even if Fr. Eversole did not respond in the correct manner the first time, I think we should try to alert the Bishop. The problem here is, homosexuality is no longer punishable these days, but pedophelia is. The evidence in court papers in poor Fr. Haley's case and other organizations which delt with problems in the catholic church tells us that mostly homosexual priests exploit very young boys. Unfortunately in some cases, you will find contaminated clergy all the way up the ladder to archbishops and even cardinals, at least for coverup. So when molesting a minor becomes public knowledge, the priest gets prosecuted, hopefully and will be punished by the law and the church. On the other hand, adultery and fornication is no longer looked upon as punsihable by our law. So the adulterer gets off scott free, he can prowl around and look for victims, which usually involves children if the perpetrator likes married women, as this case does. We can see above that 5 children were involved for many years. I can only imagine the psychological scarring that took place in these poor children. This is lamentable, especially when unsuspecting couples with marital problems look to the priest for some guidance and consolation. with the best intentions I can't see any priest with this kind of affliction able to give sound counsel to these people. The only chance we have of stopping an adulterous priest is to hope that the bishop is catholic and decent enough to want to stop this kind of hurtful, scandalous behavior in his diocese.
Betsy /Jimmy, one and the same. once you have to resort to argumentum ad hominem, which usually happens when someone of low intelligence can't carry on a reasoned out discourse, this becomes just too boring. It feels like trying to argue moral values with a 3rd grader: "Your mother wears combat boots" I regret wasting my time with you, I can't pour wisdom and intelligence into a non-existing vessel. Sort of reminds me about the pearls thrown before the swine. I hope the Lord forgives me for this somewhat unkind remark.
Betsy, Hannibal is a cowardly troll who does what he is told not because its the right thing to do but because he doesn't want to get into trouble. Perfect character for a guard job at Auschwiz. He has gossiped his way through life judging and injuring others. An odious troll! To look at his posts is to fall into sin. Like Lot's wife it is better to look away.
Hannibal: Your posts shows you are a gossip with little regard for the "right" to a good reputation that exists in canon law and little understanding of authority and obedience under the Code. You stink with pride...Big mouths like you are the proverbial salt in ecclesial wounds. Review the catechism on the sin of slander and detraction and get to confession.
Hannibal2, Believe me intervention was attempted by some one in the church and Fr. Eversole ignored and swept it under the rug As for Fr. Smith camoflaged his action by hugging every young woman he met. But there was this one married woman who had her clutches on him. I know this woman for several years and she was so out of character when she was in these meetings with Smith that both their behavors was as if it was in a bar.
Hi, Betsy, you are a funny person! You make me laugh. Anyway, I find it interesting that people can get so upset over the issues of obedience, and humility. Shows how hard this is for all of us to even understand. I can see there is a strong aversion to obedience, and of course a stonger one to humility. And I can assure you, Betsy, that if you bucked your immediate supervisor at work, and did not obey, you'd be out of a job. Forget even getting an "appeal" in to the higher up in the company, haha. Get thee behind me, Betsy, for spreading the seeds of selfserving pride and hedonism, even on a slight and insidious scale. By the way, have you followed sweet peas advice and googled Father Haley? That might tell you something about how abuses of authority can be appealed. And what effect it will have in some cases, especially in this diocese. I believe his case was appealed all the way to Rome. Similarly, sexual abuses in the American Catholic Church were appealed all the way up to Rome, by good clergy and by victims, before the big scandal broke, when J.P.II was still alive. For several years they landed on the desk of now Benedict XVI, then the "Rottweiler" of the Doctrine of Faith. The bottom line of the directive from Rome was, this should all be kept secret under any circumstances. Wow!! If the priest in question was fearful for his life, I believe, just like in the law of the land, he had the right to haul out and defend himself. Why would you make a difference w/ the priest, who hit another under any other circumstances? Notice I'm not addressing the wrongs of the "victim" here. That's another story altogether. In fact, I think he's an odious man. But consider without bias, how would you feel if you had a permanent, disfiguring large scar over your eye, sinus problems, and maybe even retinal problems for the rest of your life resulting from an attack from this priest? Would you hasten to withdraw the charges, or, if it goes to court, stand there and say, O Judge, don't convict this person, he is a priest and yes, he disobeyed me, but he has been good to many people? I bet you would go after him for as much money as you could. Providing, you did not ask him to break a commandment or a law of the church, I say it again. so let's not have 2 standards here, hm, what do you think? The thing w/ the libel, would you want to know if any priest in your parish has the compulsion to molest a child? Or do you think the church should just keep this quiet and let children get into harms way? I bet mothers and fathers would say, we want to know, he should register like any other sex offender. Would you consider this helpful and a duty in fact, to tell and warn people about what this priest is doing? Or would you say it's sinful to spread these kinds of truths? Do you not believe in warning the unsuspecting population of a sexual preditor of any type in their midst, that can potentially hurt and injure lots of families, including children? Have a Happy New Year!
Hannibals understanding of servile obedience is exactly what gave the Church the child abuse scandal. Everybody looked the other way. No one, including bishops, paid any attention to canon law. Their answer was to write a new law called the Dallas Charter when the problem all along was non compliance.
I don't think Hannibal understands that a priest's obedience is given to the bishop not to the pastor. Definitely a faulty understanding of the law.
Hannibal: Jimmy is correct. Obedience to a bishop is circumscribed by canon law. Abuses of authority can be appealed by recourse to the bishop's superior. Authority in the Church is not like military obedience which becomes abusive. Also, while truth is a defense in libel or slander case in the moral order, detraction is a sin. Check the catechism genius and stop pontificating in ignorance. While Fr. Smith should be punished for his acts the other priest is not without fault. I heard Fr. Eversole forgave Fr. Smith publicly and still is pressing charges. Tells me something about his management style and "gotcha" use of authority. I'll bet you sided with Captain Blye in Mutiny on the Bounty.
Jimmy ("correction", take a bath) Oh Man, what can I say! I should have known there are people out there that lack the words "obedience' and especially "humility" in their vocabulary. These concepts are virtually unknown these days, and, as I can see, not very much in demand. However, they hit a nerve with the two of you. Like it or not, any priest must obey and be humble at all times. So do we all as good christians. The priestly "obedience" stops only if the pastor or any one else up the ladder asks a priest, from the vicar on up, to break a commandment or church law. That's where it stops. But Sweet pea is correct, much gets swept under the rug in this diocese. That goes both ways, for both priests involved. The prognosis is dismal. Commandments are broken continuously and no one puts a stop to it. Those who try are disgraced, and sometimes even defrocked. If to state that a priest must at all times be humble and obedient to his superior causes offense and is a thorn in some people's side, and is to be compared with malicious gossip, then I'm afraid, we are living in god-less and sad times. Please explain to me, if you can, where the gossip comes in? You need to know the difference between discussing a concept that applies to all in that situation, and a direct attack on a person. This is a concept I set out, and pertains to any priest. And yes, when you swear an oath, you are expected to keep it. that includes the vows of chastity. They are to be kept, just like marriage vows, are you in the habit of breaking yours maybe? Is that why you are so offended by the concept of keeping an oath, even the one priests must swear at ordination? Do you also approve of adultery and fornication perpetrated by a priest? Did you read the posts above on that subject? And, I state again, if indeed the posts above are true ( and this will be investigated) than Fr. Smith has a much bigger problem than just lashing out and must be stopped. Do you not agree, Jimmy? No gossip is malicious unless it's untrue or is true and is spread needlessly. The comments above are not the only ones on this subject, there are others that assert the same thing. They seem to be based on facts. If true, then this person has the capacity to hurt many more people. Besides, this attack smacks of an anger management problem. No matter how good Fr. Smith has been to parishioners, or is - and no one doubts the posts above on this subject - the fact remains that he lost it. No one can just lash out and hit another, although many of us are provoked. We would like to strangle some people sometimes, but can't do it because common decency, our christian convictions and fear of the law (usually) keeps us in line.
Jimmy, Your right Hannibal is blowing smoke up his ass. " oath of obedience and humility." So this means he can't punch the priest? Ya right. Humility!!!!!
Hannibal, you have no idea what you are talking about. Even in the bishop asked a priest to jump through a rose bush he is not obligied to do so. Canonical obedience is not the same as religious obedience and has limits inscribed in canon law. Your post is nothing more than malicious gossip directed at a priest. I suggest rethinking that approach and get to confession.
SweetPea your right on target, I saw this priest engaging in flirting with a married woman and she took the bate. It was done in front of serveral people. In front of male parishners and this male encouraged him. This married woman carried on with him for over 2 yrs.
SweetPea, we are very alarmed over your comment about Rev. Smith and his affairs w/ married women. You only spoke of one, one lady/w 5 children, and how much damage and pain was done by R. Sm. to the family and the parish. Other people have also written comments about this affair, having seen Fr. Smith w/ this same woman after ordination. Moreover, there are rumors that this practice has continued w/another at OLA. And yes, why was there no intervention? If this bears true, then it's an intolerable, and much more serious problem than just slugging your superior, which Fr. Smith is not allowed to do under ANY circumstances by the oath of obedience and humility he took before the Bishop at his ordination. If Father Eversole asked him to jump into a rose bush, by the law of the true catholic church the vicar has to obey. So compatibility between priests is not even an issue. Just as in the Government, you cannot just slug your superior because he harrasses you constantly. You would be fired from your job, and never get another Government job in your life. The saints have endured much more humiliating and painful treatments both from their superiors, and from ordinary people. They cannot selfservingly and in pride strike out, they cannot "revenge" themselves, they must humbly obey. Such is the lot of a true catholic priest, a good one, and he knows exactly what is expected of him. He has plenty of time to get used to this during his training in seminary. But to get back to the problem this priest seems to have w/ married women, if he follows this pattern unchecked, no parish is safe from him. He is a preditor , not unlike a pedophile, who seeks the company of children, just as the womanizer seeks the company of, exposure to, and lots of physical contact w/ women. So, men watch out, the one who "saintly" counsels you in your duties to obey the marriage vows, might be the one who breaks up your happy home.
This guys my cousin and they decide that it's cool to attack his reputation via internet. Shows how truly Christian the writer of this paper is.
After Fr. Smith's problem is settled legally the bishop should call in every associate Fr. Eversole has ever had to see if there is a pattern in abuse or authority wielding. I am sure there will be corroboration and Fr. Smith will not remain the only monster in the room. Life just doesn't happen with no regard to causality. There is enough "smoke" here on this blog to suggest that the provocatuer here was the pastor himself and he got, as they say, what was coming to him. A mutiny on the Bounty scenario so to speak.
Look I have known Fr. Smith my entire life. Before he was a priest, when he was deacon and have come into contact with him much after his ordination. He is a good man. Not only aa good man but a peaceful one. I am not saying ohhhh... I thought he was a good man but that I know he is a good man. Trust me I know the difference between the two. He has only ever tried to help people. I know that there is a second side to this story, and it will eventually everyone will know the truth. Fr. Eversole was stationed at my parish for a long time and I never really got to know him that well but it is impotant to remember that everyone is a gift from God. I honestly believe there was some provacation but I can not know right now. All we can do is pray for both of them and all priests especially during this the year of priests. It is a shame that this will tarnish Fr. Smith's name but everything happens for a purpose. One last thing, when it comes to the situation of priests who are pedophiles it is important to remember that it is not the establishment that is to blame but those specific people. If a man in a suit did something even similar not all buissness men would be looked down on as scum nor on their company. This topic also has nothing to do with any of this. Why he even brought it in I do not understand. As was said above- Non-Sequitur. I beseech everyone especially those thinking the worst of Fr. Smith to pray for him. God Bless.
David spared the wicked Saul because he was the Lord's annointed and the lord's problem.
I think more arrogant priests should be served a knuckle sandwhich if just for the sake of their salvation and humility.
I can't imagine in my wildest imagination how a pastor who said publically that he has forgiven someone would be a witness against a fellow priest in a criminal case. Seriously, who is the REAL problem? I understand that the new associate assigned to our parish is not a man to be trifled with.
Sorry spike but good men don't lose it in this way without suffcient provocation. Get angry?... yes, but frustrated to the point of physical violence. I have my doubts. By all means pray but don't check your reason at the door of inquiry. That certainly is not Church bashing!
Enough of the Church bashing! That is just ignorant stereotyping. Fr. Smith is a good man who lost it for whaterver reason. I find it hard to believe that Fr Eversole, also a good man, could have provoked this, although stranger things have happened. We need to pray for for both of them and bring peace to the parish.
What is Fr. Smith's ecclesial status? Is he suspended? I recall a priest from the diocese who was suspended for allegedly shouting at a deacon. What circumstances exist in this case for disparate treatment?
True but we do know that a priest, with no history of violence, was provoked to the point of physical aggression. It at least tells you that the pastor was no St. Francis and something less than a paragon of peace. Smith needs to do some reparation but Eversole shouldn't walk scot free. Part of thinks the civil court will give more justice than the Church but we will see.
Pete Kotz, Gina, Heres Dumb Dumb's statement Pete Kotz( "But this being the Catholic Church, Makers of the Largest Organized Pedophile Ring The World Has Ever Known (TM), it should be considered a step forward when priests are attacking each other instead of little kids.) Gina, you are not very smart, you have nerve to pick on Larry. The Catholic Church is 1/6 of the WORLDS POPULATION, 1 BILLION MEMBERS. 14,000 alledged charges were brought against the catholic church child abuse, over 1/3 were settled out of court or dropped due to all of the media crap, like the dumb shit you Dumb Dumb, Pete Kotz are saying. Get your facts correct. There is no information to go by here, such as what started the fight, why.
Enough! Stop with the all the Anit-Catholic crap, the pedophilia cross.....and focus on THE story regarding Fr's Smith and Eversole. There's a story here if one digs deeper. Here's the clues: A) who's had OTHER run-in's with other priests? B) who's been transferred around a lot? and why? C) who has a superiority complex and who doesn't? there's a common denominator here ~ just look for it.
Dorinda: A call to 911 is a call to the police! When that call was made was Eversole in danger? I think not... he was man a man finishing his mission against a fellow priest. Why do you think the last priest asked to be tranferred? I am sorry that Fr Eversole was hit but he did not find himself on his ass because he was a saint but rather because he "pushed" things to the point of the intolerable. If this goes to trial you will understand. And if it goes to trial it will be Eversole's fault. As I understand priests are refusing to be assigned to this neanderthal.
To clarify: Father Eversole did NOT call the police to report being attacked. He called 911 as he had recently had retina surgery, and Fr. Smith gave him a black eye. The 911 dispatcher notified police, and Fr. Smith surrendered himself to the arrest. I know both priests personally and can vouch that both are good, honest, human beings. Let's all just pray for the healing of both priests, as well as peace in OLA's community.
Sweatpea: St. Paul explicitly said that christians should not run to the law to enforce their rights. They should turn the other cheek. I understand that Eversole said he forgave Smith from the pulpit. What forgiveness involves pressing charges? The CommonWealth will do nothing even in cases of domestic violence without witnesses. Again you are naive to believe that Eversole is without fault. One of the parishioners noted that the last associate asked to be moved. You must be on Eversole's payroll. Fr. Smith is not the monster you have made him out to be. Get to confession! It is also absurd to maintain that the bishop would not have acted had Fr. Eversole called him. Fr. Smith was immediately moved to another parish.
Peter Kotz ought to work for the New York Times as yet another anti-Catholic writer. Nothing like being "set-up" at the beginning of an article! Good thing Kotz didn't attack Jews or he would be out of work. Not to worry..he and others like him will always be welcome at my table. Anger is a tough think to live with Mr. Kotz.
Jesse, Father Eversole did the right thing to call the cops when Father Smith attacked him. Just because this happened on Church property does not mean the Commonwealth should not be involved or that it was un-Christian to call the cops as you suggest. To the contrary. As a priest, Father Smith is still subject to the same laws you and I are -- its a crime to assault people. Ask yourself - if someone attacked you, wouldn't you call the police? Father Eversole is a child of God and nobody ought to be assaulted like that. Father Smith owed Father Eversole respect. You are judging Father Eversole and insinuating he provoked Father Smith -- that is uncharitable and un-Christian. What is troubling is that Father Smith gave Father Eversole two black eyes and a cut -- in other words, Father Eversole did not fight back, he turned the other cheek. He had to call the cops so they could protect him. Who knows how much more Father Smith would have beaten him if the police did not arrive. I will tell you why Father Eversole was better off calling the cops and not the Chancery. Our bishop would have swept this under the rug like he did when Father Haley reported problems. If you do not know about that, Google Father Haley and you'll understand that our bishop failed to do anything when he knew there were some serious problems with a couple priests Father Haley worked with. If there were serious personality conflicts between these two priests, one of them should have asked the bishop for a transfer... but then again, I seriously doubt the bishop would have done anything even if he had been asked. I hope Father Smith is man enough to accept full responsibility for his horrible, viscious behavior and not try to weasel out of it by attacking his victim in court and trying to spread blame around.
Ronnie- The ultimate responsibility resides with the bishop who makes the assignment. Doesn't he interview these men before asking them to live and work together? If this is not done then it is part of the dysfunction. I have seen in the past mismatched pastors and associates and have thought that bishops put incompatibles together(as punishment) and marvel at the human spectacle that follows. I hope I am not too cynical. In the end it is the people who suffer.
Seems a dubious proposition that this is entirely one man's fault. Perhaps but we will only know when this goes to trial. My guess is there is enough blame to go around.
Sweatpea, your not being fair to jesse suggesting that her reluctance to not immediately take sides with the alleged victim flows from ignorance. It might flow from the fundamental fairfairness and justice that judges actions by the totality of circumstances(which may mitigate without excusing the act)some of the background is described above by a parishioner. If this unfortunately goes to trial as your disposition suggests more people will be scandalized. Haven't you seen enough blood at your Church?
I am a member of Our Lady of Angels. Fr. Smith is a pious and devoted hard working individual. He is devoted to Our Lady, The Eucharist, and the entire parish. He is constantly praying the Rosary. He is the "work horse" of the parish. He goes into people's homes and gives their homes special blessings and he is a strong supporter of homeschool families.He does all the things Fr. Eversole doesn't want to do. We have lost a wonderful Traditional Priest. What we have left in that parish is nothing. Today I went to the First Friday mass. It was canceled because Fr. Smith is gone and Eversole doesn't care. Fr. Smith used to say that mass and Eversole will most likely get rid of it now.I have known them both. Never seen a Rosary in Eversole's hands. Never seen Eversole praying in the Adoration Chapel but Fr. Smith used every spare moment to pray there.Eversole had a Spanish speaking priest this year after he booted out Fr. DeRosa and he basically left Fr. Smith and the Spanish priest in the confessionals all year long, hearing confessions, 20 people in Fr Smith's line and a couple people in the Spanish priest line.But where was Father Eversole? Why couldn't he help Father Smith with his excessive workload? The one time he did say confessions this August I looked out the window of the church and Father Smith was helping the air conditioner repair man work on the air conditioner. It was a hot day and he was dressed in work clothes and helping out.Fr. Eversole figured it would be easier to hear confessions than to sweat it out outside with the repair man.Father Smith had to turn away 10 people from the confessional when mass started on numerous occassions because he had to say the mass. Last Saturday I went to confession with Eversole and he was in Fr. Smith's confessional and I thought it was odd. He never rarely hears confessions. He's too high up. He put am excessive load on Fr. Smith and pushed him over the edge with more and more work. But Fr. Smith had already been arrested so he had no choice he actually had to work that day.Fr. Smith had to help the Spanish priest who could not speak English and the stress was being piled on.He even had to assist the Spanish priest at daily mass because he couldn't speak English. So he was like am English tutor to him also. I will tell you one thing. If you were on your deathbed wanting to have the last rites administered to you, you would not want to call Eversole because he would never get there for you. You'd be six feet under and still waiting for the Last Rites. Fr. Smith would never let you down. Eversole ignores your phone calls and call notes. A friend of mine invited him to dinner, 2 years later she is still waiting for his rsvp phone call. He refused to bless my son. My son cried and was deeply hurt by Eversole rejecting to bless my son in public.He stood in front of my son, callous and cold, waiting for my son to "move along". My son is six and he will never forget that day. he crossed his hands bowed his head waiting for Fr. to bless him and Father pretended he didn't exist. This made me very very angry. We had to attend the Spanish mass to avoid Fr. Eversole. We got tired of him giving his "money talk" each Sunday. We wanted to hear a real sermon for spiritual development but Eversole is so concerned with money and power that it turns people off.He told us that he would retire in that parish so we have to just wait it out.The Bishop promised him that he would let him retire at OLA. He provoked Fr. Smith to anger. Fr. Eversole was not wearing a neck brace nor did he have even a band aid on his face in church when he read the Bishops statement in Church last Sunday. I couldn't see a scrape on him. He did this deed smear Fr. Smith's good reputation because I feel he is jealous of Fr. Smith popularity. I could write a dissertation about how much Father Eversole has hurt me. To him , my children and I are invisible. I once donated a book to his library collection and I received no thank you from him even though the secretary told me that he would call me to thank me. We have not heard Father Smith's side and it is unfair for everyone in the parish to hear Fr. Eversole and the Bishops comments while Fr. Smith is not there to defend himself. I am not afraid of bad priests. I grew up with them. They will not step all over me now that I am older and they will not hurt my son and turn him off to Catholicism. I wish I had something positive to say about Father Eversole. I wish I could dig deep and find one good thing he has done for us but I can't think of anything. This corruption of the Catholic Church is from the top down and everyone is be on a heightened state of alert. We need to love our priests even if they hurt us and we need to pray for them. But I truly feel that quality not quantity should be what people need to focus on. The devil told Saint John Vianney that if there were just four priests like him in France he would be overpowered. Bad priests are a chastisement from God. The devil knows that if there are evil priests that that one priest can drag more souls to hell than anyone on earth can. The laity will be the one to save Holy Mother Church because the priests have been overpowered by their passions and the evil one. The good ones are persecuted and those that Love Our Lady walk the road to Calvary everyday. I hope Fr. Eversole humbles himself and steps down from being pastor and goes to Banica to serve the poorest of the poor in reparation. I pray for priests but it will take thousands of us banning together doing Penance for them to make a difference. I am not afraid of evil priests.I am not afraid to tell people how much I am saddened by the fact that Fr. Smith may have had his buttons pushed one to many times by Eversole. Jesus knows how much Eversole has hurt me and my family. i give it to God.
Wise souls will not leap to any conclusions while assessing a sad situation like this. Wise souls will pray for the Bishop, the pastor the priest and the people that God's rightgeosness and merciful grace may heal wounds. St. Paul says stop judging each other before the appointed time. Jesse has this much right-it does take two to tango.
To parishioner: Anyway you look at it the incident is lamentable. The fact that Eversole called the police and involved the Commonwealth in a Church dispute is problematic to those who are dedicated to solving problems in our fallen world according the wisdom articulated by Our Lord and St. Paul. "He needs to face the music". I hope you are not on the jury. Our Lord will remind you that you said this when you face your own judgement before his tribunal. Why didn't Eversole "man-up" forgive Smith and go to the Chancery to solve the problem? He chose against the christian wisdom to call the cops. How heroic is that? At least give Smith some benefit of the doubt before hanging him for responding to some form of provocation. Situations like this take two to tango.
I also take offense to Jesse's post. The only abusive person here is Father Smith, for Christ's sake, he assaulted the other priest. If Father Smith were a decent Christian, he and his friends would not smear and attack his victim, Father Eversole. The pastor does not decide to press charges either - the Commonwealth of Virginia (District Attorney) brought charges. I, for one, am glad Father Eversole called 911 and the cops arrested Father Smith. I am also glad he will not be given a free pass just because he is a priest. He needs to face the music.
Sweatpea: Regardless of what you say there is two sides to every story. If you had such information and did nothing to resolve it with Church Authority then you have omitted a duty. I was dismayed with the one sided approach used from the pulpit that canonized "your boy" Eversole. You are naive if you think this is simply about a "vaction dispute". Do yourself a favor and pray for them both.

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