The accounts presented here are drawn from actual letters, emails or text messages received from validly ordained Catholic priests needing help. The priest's name and identifying information or location may have been modified to protect his privacy.
January 2020
In the current anti-clerical environment, Father Matt and some of his wounded brothers continue to be hounded by an insatiable media looking for the next great “sin-sational” priest abuse story. In this case, even Father Matt’s accuser is looking to cash in on “fictious allegations” to promote her own book.
“I am a priest “off the job” for about 20 years. During that time, I was able to live a life of prayer and penance. I believe that my accuser unjustly targeted me and brought forth many fictitious allegations at the time. There is no question that she had “an axe to grind” for my demise. This was 35 years ago.
“I was able to be reassigned as director of a spirituality center for priests which lasted for 8 years. She received compensation at the time for counseling. No criminal or civil charges were ever filed against me.
“I was able to achieve two small employment opportunities during these past 20 years: one as a grief counselor at a local cemetery, the second working in mental health at a local hospital. The latter position offered me stability even though it was difficult to pay my monthly housing and medical expenses.
“The diocese cut off all financial compensation around 2004.
“When the huge scandal of last summer involving the former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick surfaced, my accuser of 35 years ago contacted a local news reporter, who named the hospital where I was working. I was terminated from that employment the next month.
“My accuser’s statements were filled with false information. It was obvious her purpose was to promote the book she had written about her alleged abuse from me.
“I have tried to find employment (even though I have passed a recent FBI background check and other checks) but to no avail. I have used my limited funds to receive a license in the insurance industry, but this also had been met with no success so far (a quick Google search brings up my troubles.)
“I could really benefit from financial assistance, $385 a month would allow me to pay my housing, medical/prescription co-pays (I have type II diabetes) and other expenses.
“If MOM [Men of Melchizedek] could assist me it would be most helpful!
“Be assured of my daily prayers (and private Masses) for your ministry to priests. We certainly could use your help! Fr. Matt”
It is true that not every priest is innocent, but it is equally true that not every priest is guilty. If a priest is guilty, but repentant, seeking MOM’s help for healing and renewal, we are the first to help him in his desire to grow in holiness. If a priest is innocent, we want to be the first to come to his defense.
In both cases, we at MOM believe our dear Mary, Mother of Priests, is calling all of us to non-judgmental love and assistance to her wounded and suffering priest-sons. Our mission is not about enabling, it’s about authentic witness and prudential support. And, what mother wouldn’t remember those who helped her sons in their most desperate hour?
Do not speak evil against one another. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. If, however, you judge the law, you are no observer of the law, you are its judge. There is but one Lawgiver and Judge. James 4:11-12
November 2019
Our Partners in Missiongenerous financial support and prayers are crucial for our beloved priests, especially those suffering from mental health illnesses like Father James below. YOUR goodness provides the vital resources needed to offer them urgent supplemental funding when dioceses and health insurance programs fall short in their financial support!
“To Joseph Maher, president, and members of the board of MOM,
“Let me tell you a little bit of my background and my appeal for funding . . . I am a 55-year-old Roman Catholic Priest . . . I was ordained for the diocese [in] . . . 2000 . . .
“I requested from the bishop to discern joining the Franciscan Friars . . . in 2004. I and the order, after 1 year, discerned I didn't have a calling to the Franciscans, and so I requested from the bishop to return to the diocese.
“In 2005, after I returned from the Friars, I was never offered a permanent assignment. At that time, I was not given an assignment by the diocese, and they soon dropped the $500/month they were giving me for a while when I was helping out various priests throughout the diocese who needed help . . .
“I did have health problems but tried to help out where I could. The health problems increased, and they still refused to give me an assignment. The small amount they gave me ($500) came to an end in September 2006 . . .
“In 2009 I was diagnosed with bipolar disease disorder, and when the hospital diagnosed me as having bipolar disorder (which is a mental disorder) the diocese wouldn't help . . .
“Now the hospital has told me to live in a personal care facility. I also have fractured kneecaps, and have a crooked spine (scoliosis), and the kneecaps will put me in a wheelchair for six weeks, or a longer time.
“Without the knee operation I have the threat of a wheelchair for life . . .
“[The diocese] started financially assisting me in 2014, but not enough. It is only $1971/month which isn't enough for me to live in this personal care facility, which the hospital told me to live in.
“I pay $3220 for rent/month, and personal care. That makes me $1249/month short of what I need to pay . . .
“. . . whatever you can give would be most needed. I would appreciate it very much, pray for you, and God will eternally bless you . . . In Christ, Fr. James”
Father James’ mental and physical health struggles are terribly debilitating, but not unique. When a crippling illness like bi-polar disorder first manifests itself in our adult years, it can be extremely devastating and result in life-altering restrictions.
In Her wisdom, the Church must sometimes make very difficult decisions regarding the state of a priest’s mental health, which at times requires an assessment by the bishop on whether a priest’s mental health impedes him from continuing in ministry. With Father James, his bishop has determined that he cannot continue in ministry. However, with critical assistance from a canon lawyer in our network, the diocese agreed to provide financial help to Father James, although as his letter states, it is not nearly enough.
Now, Father James has reached out to us at MOM for additional assistance, and as is our policy, we turn no priest away, whatever the challenges he may be facing, if we have the ability to help him.
“While we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially those of the household of the faith.” St. Paul’s Letter to the Christians in Galatia 6:10
October 2019
Because of prayers and loving financial support for our beloved priests from our Partners in Mission, when Father Tony, like the Prodigal Son, was at his lowest point, huddled up and terrified on a hard bunk of a cold dark jail cell—while a guard from the other side of the bars told him to kill himself, and having nowhere else to go for help—he received kindness, caring and compassion in his time of desperation!
“Dear Joe, I just want to take a moment to thank you and your team for the truly life-saving work you do on behalf of priests who have been removed from active ministry . . . Beyond the financial support, though, you do something even bigger. Without judgment, you accept priests in our circumstances with the compassion of Jesus in the Gospels, and you assure us that we still matter, still have a place in Christ’s Church.
“I certainly don’t have to tell you what a rarity that is these days! When even some bishops are quick to abandon their accused priests, you stand by us, fighting to ensure that we are treated fairly and humanely.
“For years (in some cases, even for decades), we priests have forgiven sinners and visited the imprisoned, assuring them that, whatever wrong they may have done, they are not cut off from God’s grace or from Christ’s love, and helping them to find a way back. Who does that for errant priests? Only you, I’m afraid.
“I remember waking up on my first morning in jail, a guard kicking loudly at the door of my cell and harassing me with reasons why I should hang myself. He made me feel that I wasn’t even worthy to be alive. In complete contrast, you reached out, time and time again, with kindness and compassion, gently reminding me that I am still loved by God, that I still have a place in the Church, that I still have something to give.
“With remarkable faith and love, you stand ready to help any priest in need, regardless of his circumstances. There are times when it is hard to imagine how I will get through another day – but then, you and your team are there, unraveling the knots and helping me to take one strand of problems at a time, patiently helping me to find solutions and move forward. For the countless hours you have spent listening as I pour out my troubles, encouraging me and giving me hope, I simply can never thank you enough.
“I know there are those who oppose the work that you do, as though it is somehow an offense against victims, and I’m sorry for the indignities you’ve suffered as a result. The reality is that ALL of us want to see abuse and harassment wiped out from the Church entirely . . . But support for priests – even priests who have done wrong – is not an offense against victims; it is an expression of the mercy that is supposed to be a hallmark of Christ’s Church.
“I pray that God will give you the courage, wisdom, and strength to continue to act in ways that are countercultural, but that are very much at the core of the Church’s mission. And if there are ways that I can put my meager gifts at the service of your wonderful organization, I trust that you will let me know. In the meantime, you are in my prayers each day, that God will give you the resources you need to continue to help the most outcast members of our Church and our society. Blessings, Father Tony”
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was deeply moved. He ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you: I no longer deserve to be called your son.’” Luke 15: 20-21
September 2019
When our president, Joe Maher, called Father Pat after receiving his email below, Joe found him to be, quite literally, at the end of his rope. With nowhere else to turn, in panic and desperation he reached out to Men of Melchizedek(MOM).
Like most of the priests-in-crisis we assist, Father Pat has helped so many people during his years of priestly ministry. Now, he was facing a terrible physical and emotional crisis, feeling utterly abandoned and alone, and he was too embarrassed and humiliated to ask for help for himself.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Maher,
“I am in a very bad way at the moment! Last week on my return from the local food-market, I discovered that I had no electricity. I called the associates who manage the rentals where I live. The said there were no problems they were working on, and I should call my provider. So, I did, and I was told that they disconnected my service for lack of payment.
“In my preoccupation in getting a vehicle since my old car was finally beyond repair, I had put off paying my electric bill for three months to pay for my current used car. To get my electric back on, I had to pay it all to become up to date. I asked the Holy Spirit to inspire a solution.
“Since my small Social Security check had just been deposited in my checking account, which I need all of it to pay my monthly rent and having no other money, I had to use my SS to pay the electric bill.
“As you know, prices keep going up, so just to pay the ordinary expenses, such as insurance, utilities, etc., I need a minimum of $300.00 more per month now.
“God certainly has unpredictable ways of testing and deepening my faith in His Providence. I have exhausted all other efforts to secure the extra $300 a month I now need, and have no one else to turn to! To make this worst, two days ago the landlord just gave me a 30-day notice since he is ‘forced’ to sell this place.
“I can’t find a rent for less than $1,100.00 per month, which is considerably more than what I am presently paying. I didn’t know that prices had gone up that much. So now, I really am in dire need of help.
“Would MOM please consider helping me? I don’t know where else to go if you can’t.
“Your prayers and support to this end would be most greatly appreciated!” Father Pat (Hebrews 7:17)”
And there are so many more priests like Father Pat, priest-in-crisis, wounded healers, who are reaching out to you during their times of extreme difficulty and dire need, priests like Father Ed. He offered these words of gratitude and appreciation for the hope your life-saving donations offer.
“As you know, the circumstances in which we live makes it challenging to find the kind of work that would allow us to fully support ourselves. I, for one, live pretty close to the edge, and without your support I wouldn’t make it. When a major bill hits, like an unexpected car repair or medical bill, there’s simply no way to come up with that extra cash. I can’t tell you how much more bearable life is for me just knowing that you are there and you will do what you can to help. You give me hope of being able to continue on.” Father Ed
“There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
August 2019
When Father Larry called, he said he felt like the walls of his little apartment were closing in and that he had given up all hope. In this time of crisis, he turned to Men of Melchizedek (MOM) for help. And thanks to your prayers and generous financial offerings, Father Larry has been helped to move beyond the fear and terror he was experiencing. He is now renewed in confident faith and trust in Divine Providence!
“I am writing to you in sincere gratitude for the emergency gift of $500.00 that you sent to me earlier this week. Words are insufficient to express the depth of my gratitude. You literally have saved me.
“I had been involved in a car accident a couple of weeks ago which left my car un-drivable. My car is necessary for my new job . . . I really like the job, but it does not pay enough. I have scrutinized my budget and there is nothing extra in it. I am simply paying rent, insurance, car payment, phone and for a storage room until I can sell or give away all my belongings. (I moved from a big rectory into a tiny apartment and have nowhere to keep my belongings.)
“Recently I have been talking to an auctioneer and a consignment sales store to see what is entailed in using their services. This is very painful, as some of the things in storage were things I inherited when my Mother died. I also have my chalice for sale at a religious goods store. This is the most painful of all.
“I am currently looking for a part-time job for nights and weekends . . . Paying my bills is sometimes a great juggling act. In fact, even though I pay my insurance premium for my car every month, I was a little late in June and my policy lapsed by two days at the time of the accident. I was unaware of the lapse and had paid the premium that morning but apparently there is a 24 hour “download” time and my coverage did not pick up again until the morning after the accident. So the repair bill of $500.00 was left up to me to pay. Simply put, if I lost my car, I would lose my job (we have to make home visits and make monthly trips to . . .)
“It is no exaggeration to say that I was really feeling hopeless and depressed. Then MOM came as a true gift from God. Without your help I know I would now be on the street. Your willingness to listen to me, to pray with me and to be so generous in financial aid are truly a lifeline to me.
“It is very true to say I have experienced the love of God made real through you. Please know of my continued prayers for you and for MOM. May you, and your ministry know the blessings of Providence, whose agents of charity, prayer and love you are. With heartfelt gratitude and prayers, Fr. Larry”
Our love, generosity and caring support are desperately needed for our priests who have been accused, abandoned and cut-off. These are priests, like Father Larry, who have no one else to turn to for help, but MOM where they know they can count on our support to know the Providential Hand of God in their hour of crisis and urgent need.
What good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them, “Goodbye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed,” but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless. James 2: 14-17
July 2019
When Father Al was surprised by a visit from the County Sheriffs after celebrating Sunday Mass, and subsequently arrested because of a 30-year-old allegation, he found himself utterly alone, abandoned and terrified. Not knowing what to do next, or who to call, he turned to Men of Melchizedek (MOM)for help. And thanks to your prayers, Father Al now has the courage and renewed strength of faith to face this horrible, frightful ordeal, but not alone!
“I am writing to you to say that I want to thank you for all you are doing for me during this difficult time.
“The joyful happiness I had when I became a priest has been shared to the best of my ability over these 34 yrs. of ministry. The work that you started at Opus Bono and now continue in Men of Melchizedek is inspirational and so important that, without it, we would all be worse off than we are now.
“From . . . when we first came to talk and get to know each other, you were the only one to come to my aid, when all was thought to be surely lost. In the last months . . . you listened to me and undauntedly stood by me and came here . . . to be with me for my hearings. Each night when we talk, as you do for so many of the priests that you have taken under your wing, your love and compassion and zeal and understanding, are a definite credit to who you are.
“I am most thankful that you did not judge me as a Jekyll and Hyde, but rather as one of Jesus’ ‘broken’ priests who is truly sorry for what he did and remorseful to all those who have been affected and/or hurt. I have shared with you that I hope to see the glass right side up again when this is over, and thanks to your being there, as you have the last seventeen years, and now and for the future, I pray that God, Jesus, Mary, the Holy Spirit, and the angels and saints of Heaven give you much more Grace as you continue to stand for those fellows who have made mistakes and want to right them before God and the Church and Society.
“So, I want it to be known that the work you are doing is so very important . . . don't despair and don't give up since Jesus and Mary are certainly there in all the work that you are doing and have done. Continue the good fight, In Jesus Mercy . . . Now and In the Future. Respectfully Yours in Christ; Rev. Al, Jesus I Trust In You!!!”
Unfortunately, Father Al’s situation has become all too familiar. Every Catholic priest is now vulnerable to allegations that can be made, even from decades ago – true or false. In June, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishopsreleased the heartbreaking report that in 2018, 1,385 adults came forward with 1,455 allegations of abuse, which was up from 695 allegations in the previous year.
Every day dear and much-loved Catholic priests across our country make themselves available and accessible to countless people, and sometimes they become extremely vulnerable to allegations and accusations of misconduct. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for their many sacrifices and their selfless spiritual and pastoral service to the people of God.
“If anyone says, ‘My love is fixed on God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. One who has no love for the brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen.” 1 John 4:20
June 2019
When Father Jim heard the news that Opus Bono Sacerdotii was transitioning to a retreat center he became worried, anxious, upset and alarmed. Thinking the worst, that all the years of healing and encouragement Father Jim had received were now lost forever, he sent us this concerned and appreciative text message:
“A note on Holy Saturday to say thanks!
“More so, I continue to keep you and your family in prayerful intercession. This is my means of connection with you, so I’ll use it to reach out and thank you for “being there”.
“A quaint phrase, but the meaning is more than that.
“For years, I knew someone was out there. Someone who cared and was available.
“Out of the blue, you offered encouragement and support; aside from family and close friends, the like I’d not encountered for many years.
“I know from your stories that I’m not alone with these sentiments.
“Where the Lord calls you next, I trust that you will follow. I would be speaking falsely if I said that the OBS connection is still there.
“Nevertheless, for so much more than you might be aware, I am deeply grateful.
“As I approach the Lord, in the Holy Eucharist on Easter Sunday, I will offer Him my gratitude that He allowed me, for a time, to know tacitly, and tangibly that someone cared. God bless you, Fr. Jim"
It’s not surprising that priests like Father Jim were anxious when they heard that Opus Bono Sacerdotii would be transitioning to establishing a much-needed retreat center for removed priests. But now, where could they quickly turn in times of crisis, fear and hopelessness, desperate for the loving, generous support that gave them the hope and confidence to go on for another day?
The times we live in pose unprecedented challenges for our beloved Catholic priests. They are often overwhelmed with distress, anxiety, even a sense of terror. But thanks be to God through Men of Melchizedek (MOM), we are be able to assist our suffering priests, like Father Jim, who have nowhere else to turn for support – sometimes just to make it through the day!
We named the mission for the eternal priesthood we serve. And we think it fitting that our acronym is “MOM”. And, we are confident that Our Blessed Lady, Mary, Mother of Priests, will grant many graces to all of us who offer our ardent prayers and personal sacrifices of love to care for Her poor priest-sons through Men of Melchizedek.
Son though He was, Jesus learned obedience from what He suffered; and when perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, designated by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrew 5:8-10