This year marks the sixth year since establishment of Gaylord Diocesan Watch. We launched this endeavor in February 2019. Our apostolate is simple: to assist the Bishop, clergy, and faithful of the Diocese of Gaylord in proclaiming the truth.
Our work was born out of adversity: a priest in the Diocese lodged credible accusations of sexual harassment against a senior priest of the Diocese. The accused priest was never removed, even temporarily, from ministry. The priest who voiced his assault was taken out of ministry, banned from saying Mass in any church of the Diocese, and was eventually returned to ministry after a lengthy bureaucratic process. He is now fully restored to a pastorship in the Diocese. The fallout from all of this led to the transfer of the Bishop at the time, Bishop Raica.
The experience Gaylord Diocesan Watch gained by being a voice for truth, accountability, and transparency in the Diocese led to its continuation as a source of information and reflection for the Bishop and faithful of the Diocese. We are completely dedicated to the truths of the Catholic Church. We are open to dialog with the Bishop of the Diocese regarding issues that should be addressed and managed. Unfortunately, the bishops of the Diocese of Gaylord have refused to meet with us despite numerous requests and offers from Gaylord Diocesan Watch. We will continue to invite clergy and Bishop Walsh to get to know us and discuss their concerns regarding the Diocese and our apostolate. Our work is necessary in large part precisely because we have been denied the ability to discuss Diocesan concerns with the Bishop. This is a blatant violation of his vocation of shepherd, spiritual father, and leader.
It not just the right, but the duty of concerned Catholics to voice their concerns when issues contrary to Catholic teaching are not appropriately addressed or addressed at all. Since the founding of Gaylord Diocesan Watch, we have been at the forefront of a myriad of problems, challenges, and outright wrongdoings on the part of Diocesan members, including the bishop, clergy, and faithful. We have pointed out positive aspects of the Diocese. We have also discussed points of reflection and Church teaching that we believe are especially pertinent for the current times.
As we move forward, we will continue to monitor and comment on a host of issues. Some of the most pressing include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The continued support of the Diocese for the corrupt Catholic Campaign for Human Development
- The vocations crisis of the Diocese
- The lack of evangelization and loss of Catholic churchgoers
- Corruption among the clergy and Diocesan administration
Please pray for the continued blessings on the apostolate of Gaylord Diocesan Watch. We appreciate the support we have received over the years and will continue provide this service for as long as the Diocese needs our assistance.