Gaylord Diocesan Watch is excited to announce our second open forum on Sunday, October 27th, in Cadillac. The time and location will be confirmed soon. Additionally, from our first meeting, as well as via Email, we have received valuable suggestions and constructive criticism with regard to our actions. Because of this advice, we have launched a Facebook campaign to notify local Catholics (and others) of our existence. Thank you to all our benefactors. Please continue to support us with your prayers and financial support. We exist solely from the donations of concerned individuals.
Since our launch in February of this year, the overriding goal of Gaylord Diocesan Watch has been to assist the Diocese of Gaylord and Bishop Steven Raica in bringing souls to Christ. We have repeatedly reached out to Diocesan staff, including Bishop Raica, to discuss concerns of many faithful Catholics. The Bishop has refused to do so. Therefore, our method of undertaking this goal has been to bring to light important issues that affect the Diocese.
At the heart of all of this is accountability and transparency. This was reflected in the untimely indefinite suspension of Father Matthew Cowan after he went public with corroborated accusations of sexual harassment perpetrated by disgraced fellow priest Father Dennis Stilwell. The Diocesan investigation into this unfortunate affair was shrouded in secrecy (members of the Diocesan Review Board and their findings are not available to the public) and the Bishop has refused to discuss this with concerned members of Gaylord Diocesan Watch. Further issues with the Diocese have included the ministry of a former priest removed years before due to credible accusation of sexual abuse. Although removed from ministry, he was active at St. Francis Church in Petoskey for years. This activity included regular interaction with altar servers and as a prayer group chaplain. Gaylord Diocesan Watch readers and supporters have alerted us to New Age Diocesan staff (Marriage Tribunal Director John Amos) and radical political leaning priests (Fr. Michael Haney). We revealed the refusal of Diocesan personnel to accept a written correspondence from a member of the Diocese. A host of other issues have come to light with our apostolate. We look forward to hearing from you and giving us your feedback.