The American Papist blog is carrying a post on Fr. Francis Mary Stone & EWTN as well as periodic updates on the “situation.”

The Young Fogey pointed to that article as well as to his comment on it, which is reasonable and balanced.

It appears that Fr. Francis, the key host of EWTN’s Life on the Rock TV program has taken a leave of absence which is quickly morphing into a permanent leave of absence.

On a recent show a letter from Fr. Francis was read:

Dear Family,

Regretfully, I have a message that does not come without significant pain to both you and me. I have to tell you in all honesty and truth, that I have been personally involved with helping a widow and her struggling family. Over the course of time, the mother and I have grown very close. As a result, I am compelled to take some time off to prayerfully and honestly discern my future.

I am truly sorry of the impact this may have on so many. I am not unaware of the gravity and magnitude of the situation, yet after much wise counsel, it is really something that I must deal with now for the good of all.

With that said, it is best that I deal with it away from EWTN. Therefore, I have asked for and graciously been granted some extended time to prayerfully discern my vocation.

To those who are part of the EWTN family locally, and others throughout the world, especially all those who have supported me so faithfully in my priestly vocation and ministry here on Life on the Rock, I sincerely apologize. I ask for your prayers and understanding during this time that is so very difficult, but yet so very necessary.

Please lift me up in your humble prayers to Jesus through Mary, our Mother, in Grace and Mercy.

Fr Francis Mary, MFVA

As my regular readers know, the clergy of the Polish National Catholic Church are allowed to marry. They would also note that I have long stated that the vow of celibacy is an imposed discipline which is unworkable from a grace or discipline perspective. You cannot demand such gifts from the Holy Spirit, only encourage and support those with that gift while not foisting it upon others.

The American Papist blog immediately gets into requesting prayers for Fr. Francis, as well as a discussion of the “grave situation.” They remind us that all men are sinful (agreed), that [Roman] Catholics should not be scandalized (do not agree), and how this is a teaching opportunity.

Now I freely admit that the Roman Church has its own discipline. I do respect that. While I respect it, that does not imply that I or my Church agree with it. We think there is a better way.

I offer the following from my perspective:

I am saddened to see the rare mention of prayers for the woman and her family at the American Papist website.

They note that the subsitute anchor at Life on the Rock went on to say in reference to Fr. Francis’ situation:

“evil and sin do not have the last word – there’s always hope”

Of course that is par for the course. She is the sinful Eve leading good Father Francis astray. Not said outwardly, but implied by words like scandal, grave, temptation, and by Fr. Francis’ apology itself.

If I were the woman involved, that sort of apologizing would lead to a long cold silence. She is relegated to second class status, and is marked as a cause for apology and shame, even evil, the cause of sin.

That said, those sorts of reactions are trained in, gut instinct for Father Francis and others. Not exactly psychologically healthy when you are in that situation.

The grace of celibacy should be self perpetuating and not a cause for internal conflict. Here you see internal conflict — painful, and cause for an expression of regret which will later lead to more regret.

In a certain way this speaks to the fall of the many, which is often a fall well out of the limelight. Is the Roman Church’s clergy imbued with the grace of celibacy or are far to many left without the gift, left harmed by a discipline imposed by men?

As I noted, [Roman] Catholics may have good reason to be scandalized. Not so much by Fr. Francis’ decisions but firstly because EWTN has expunged Fr. Francis from its website.

He, and whatever good he did in his ministry, have been relegated to non-existence. If anything was learned from other recent scandals, covering-up is to be avoided. Were all his homilies, the programs he hosted graceless blather?

Secondly, on the issue of covering-up. Fr. Francis was somehow “helping” this woman (counseling?, spiritual guidance?, I can’t imagine financial support). That sort of relationship demands a duty, and might imply that the woman and her family were vulnerable, perhaps even taken advantage of.

Love can happen in stressful situations – but care must be used to ensure that the love is real, and not driven by need. As such, the helper must be careful. This goes back to the prayer issue – perhaps she and her family are more “in need.”

If I were to offer a prayer (and I do), I would ask that the Lord keep watch over Fr. Francis, the widow, and her family. That He protect them and that He allow them to heal and discern His will.

I wish them well and hope that they can see past the immediate to the long term. There is joy in a loving relationship between a man and a woman, if that is what they are called to. They should know that it is a special grace from God that is open to all who are called to it.