Canonization Cause Commences for Beloved Jesuit, by Matt C. Abbott, Renew America [Springfield IL], April 10, 2007

Canonization Cause Commences for Beloved Jesuit

By Matt C. Abbott
Renew America [Springfield IL]
April 10, 2007

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/abbott/070410

The earliest stage of the cause for beatification and canonization of the late Father John Hardon, S.J., is underway. (The lengthy process is described here.)

I have written about Hardon in recent times; he was a great priest, theologian, writer, and fighter of priestly corruption.

He inspired the founding of four apostolates: Eternal Life, the Real Presence Association, the Marian Catechists, and the Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Media Apostolate.

He also assisted Stephen Brady, founder and president of Roman Catholic Faithful, Inc., and the subject of a recent column of mine.

The following (slightly edited) article, by Stephen Brady, is from the winter 2006/2007 issue of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, RCF's newsletter (not yet available online).

In the November 12, 2006 issue of the Catholic Times [newspaper of the Springfield, Ill., diocese], as well as on a local Catholic radio station, Bishop George Lucas suggested that Roman Catholic Faithful, Inc., has no right to oper-ate as a Catholic group without his permission. Using Lucas' reasoning, RCF would have never been allowed to expose Bishop Daniel Ryan's corruption and sexual abuse of teenage boys without Ryan's permission. Lucas seems to believe he is above reproach. How convenient for him, and all bishops, were that true.

Lucas has also said that 'no competent authority or pastor supervises' RCF's work. In fact, RCF worked under the direction of Father John Hardon, S.J., until his death [in 2000]. Hardon answered directly to the Vatican. Hardon helped RCF with the Ryan case and went to Rome in 1997 on our behalf. It was Hardon who directed RCF to use the services of Father Alfred Kunz, who was murdered in 1998. The murder is still unsolved.

As president of RCF, I met with Father Peter Mascari (of the Springfield diocese) on a weekly basis for direction. It was Mascari who met with Fr. Hardon, myself and several others in 1997 regarding the Ryan case.

What is Lucas afraid of? RCF believes the faithful have a right to the truth, especially when souls of the faithful are at risk. An article that appeared in the February 5, 2007 issue of the Springfield State Journal Register may hold the key to why the bishop came after RCF. Our mailings to area Catholics over the years may have brought about a drop in donations to the diocese.

The article, 'Diocese reports losses of $2.3 million,' pointed out that the diocese had an operating deficit of more than $5 million since 2002. As is the case in many dioceses across the country, Catholics are becoming fed-up with the lies, theft of funds, heretical teaching, and abuse of children that has been commonplace within their dioceses.

Lucas has covered up much of the corruption within the Springfield diocese. He has released small bits of information only when public pressure has been applied. Not one priest who has stolen parish funds has been charged or prosecuted.

Those who knew Father John Hardon are asked to fill out this questionnaire.

An article I wrote about the Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Media Apostolate can be found on the Web site for The Hibernian magazine, published in Ireland.