February 2008

 

BRIDGEPORT, Monday, February 4, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - The Diocese of Bridgeport has issued the following statement regarding Father Michael Moynihan:

" In January 2007, Father Moynihan's resignation as Pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish was obtained as the result of the Diocese's discovering off-the-books accounts that he previously hid and repeatedly denied existed.

"Previous to that, allegations of an improper relationship with an individual were vigorously denied by Father Moynihan and could not be substantiated. Nonetheless, Father Moynihan was asked to end all affiliation with the individual to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, so as not to undermine the Church's mission.

"Father Moynihan agreed to end that affiliation but failed to disclose that he was leasing an apartment in Manhattan occupied by the individual.

"When, in the last few days, the Diocese learned, and then confirmed, that the individual occupies an apartment leased by Father Moynihan, Father Moynihan's authorization to function as a priest was withdrawn, including his longstanding service as Chaplain at SUNY Maritime College.

"The systematic investigation of all aspects of Father Moynihan's financial administration of Saint Michael's continues. The Diocese and the Parish Audit Committee expect to report on the results of this investigation to the Parish in the very near future."

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Annual "White Mass" on Sunday, February 24 in Danbury honors the service of Catholic health care workers in Fairfield County; breakfast talk after Mass will discuss "Plan B" controversy

 

DANBURY - Noted Moral Theologian and Ethicist, Father J. Daniel Mindling, O.F.M, Cap., will discuss the ethical issues surrounding the "Plan B" controversy at a breakfast following the 15th annual "White Mass" of the Diocese of Bridgeport on Sunday, February 24, at 9 a.m. at Saint Joseph Parish, 8 Robinson Avenue, Danbury. Bishop William E. Lori will be the celebrant and homilist for the annual Mass which recognizes the contributions of Catholic physicians, nurses, dentists and other health care professionals in Fairfield County. Breakfast will follow at the Ethan Allen Inn in Danbury. "We welcome Father Mindling's talk on a topic of great concern to so many," says Bishop Lori. "With his knowledge, grace, and good humor, but most importantly with fidelity to Church teachings as well as considerable experience as a hospital ethicist, Father Minding will help us understand the care and medical treatment to be offered to victims of sexual assault." Father Mindling, who serves as a consultant on medical and ethical issues for the Catholic Conferences of Maryland and Pennsylvania, will explore the medical and ethical issues surrounding Plan B and the new Connecticut law requiring all hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. Current Law is Seriously Flawed Catholic moral teaching is adamantly opposed to abortion, but not to emergency contraception for victims of rape. However, the bishops and other Catholic health care leaders believe that the new law is seriously flawed because it does not allow medical professionals to take into account the results of an ovulation test. "The distinction between ovulation and fertilization is monumental in making a prudential judgment about the use of Plan B," Father Mindling explains. "If fertilization already has occurred, Catholic hospitals view themselves as treating not one patient, but two: the woman and her newly-conceived child. Emergency contraception would cause the death of one of those patients." Father Mindling has been a Capuchin Franciscan since 1973. He holds a master's degree in theology from the Washington Theological Union, and a licentiate and doctorate in moral theology from the Lateran University. Since 1988, Father Mindling has served as professor of moral theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, where he was appointed academic dean in 1993. Defending the Vulnerable With 20 years of his priesthood as a clinical consultant, Father Mindling deeply respects the commitment and day-to-day experience of health care workers. He also feels he has something important to bring to the table as an ethicist and moral theologian. "Just war, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia -- all of these issues capture our moral imagination with varying degrees of urgency," observes Father Mindling. "Each of us has different touch points of moral indignation.""At the same time," he continues, "we have to talk about the Church's central preference for the defense of the vulnerable, people who have no voice to speak in their own defense. Jesus has a clear preference for the most vulnerable. It's difficult to think of anyone more vulnerable than someone attacked by his or her own mother."All are Welcome to Attend; RSVP required for Breakfast Invitations to the White Mass have been mailed to members of the health care profession throughout the diocese.All are welcome to attend the White Mass at Saint Joseph Parish, but tickets are required for the Ethan Allen Inn breakfast. Cost: $25; seating limited.

To download a reservation card and directions in Microsoft Word, click here. RSVP by Wednesday, February 13 to Donna Schmidt: 416-1457, or e-mail dschmidt@diobpt.org.

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