BishopAccountability.org
	Suspended Priest Accused of Sex Abuse Defies Diocese and Leads Non-Denominational Prayer Services By John Connolly Lifesite January 7, 2008 http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2008/jan/08010706.html PHOENIX, Arizona — Despite warnings and requests from the Diocese of Phoenix, a suspended priest who faces criminal sex abuse charges has been leading prayer services attended by his personal devotees. Monsignor Dale Fushek, who faces multiple sex-related misdemeanor charges, holds non-denominational prayer services at the Mesa Convention Center. The diocese has requested that Catholics not attend the services, because of the scandal caused by them. "We're actually encouraging Catholics to refrain from attending We would hope that they don't," said Jim Dwyer, a spokesman for the diocese. "I think most leaders in the church would say your devotion should be to Christ, not an individual leader." The Diocese considers Fushek a disobedient priest on administrative leave, while Fushek said after the December service that he resigned from the church in November. "It's not that simple," Dwyer said. "This is not a job. It's a vocation. It's a way of life." Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted eventually will decide whether to initiate church proceedings against Fushek that could strip him of his priesthood, with the ultimate decision made by the Vatican. Bishop Olmsted is well-known for his courageous stance against homosexuality and its proponents in the priesthood. He suspended a priest for refusing to remove his name from a document from clergy in favor of homosexuality. Fushek was removed from his role as a pastor in 2004, and was placed on administrative leave following the accusations. He resigned from his position as pastor in 2005. He was arrested in 2006, and faces one count of assault, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and one count of indecent exposure for allegedly engaging in sexual discussions during teen confession and exposing himself in a hot tub. The accusations stem from his relationships with five teenage boys from 1984 to 1993. The Arizona Supreme Court heard an appeal in the case in December but has not issued an opinion. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, hundreds of people still flock to Fushek's prayer service, an event that draws an estimated 600 weekly.
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