Priest Sues Reno Diocese after Dismissal by Bishop, Martha Bellisle, Reno Gazette Journal, October 15, 2009

Priest Sues Reno Diocese after Dismissal by Bishop

By Martha Bellisle
Reno Gazette-Journal
October 15, 2009

http://www.rgj.com/article/20091015/NEWS/910150335/1321/Priest-sues-Reno-diocese-after-dismissal-by-bishop

*DIGITAL IMAGE* *PLEASE DO NOT CROP* 10/6/02. Father Richard DeMolen sprinkles holy water on various pets and their owners during the Blessing of the Animals Sunday at Shoppers Square in Reno
Photo by David B. Parker.

A Catholic priest fired from his position at a Zephyr Cove church for seeking a protective order against a deacon after receiving a death threat has sued the Diocese of Reno and Bishop Randolph Calvo.

The Rev. Richard DeMolen, former pastor of Our Lady of Tahoe Church, said in the lawsuit that Calvo forced him to withdraw the protective order and failed to investigate the death threat. Calvo then fired DeMolen, the suit said, and sent a letter to parishioners that contained "false and defamatory statements."

Calvo's actions have caused "emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, harm to reputation, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment ... and harm to career," the suit said. Damages were not specified.

DeMolen's lawyer, Jeffrey Dickerson, said the priest also hopes to be reinstated but doesn't know if that's possible given the relationship with Calvo.

"He loves his parish, he loves his job, he loves what he was doing," Dickerson said. "The difficulty is the bishop and whether he'll be in the way of the father's good efforts."

Brother Matthew Cunningham said the diocese does not comment on pending litigation.

David Clohessy, national director of the St. Louis-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said he did not know the particulars of this case but said he supported any efforts "to rein in the often autocratic actions of bishops."

"Sadly, both priests and parishioners in the church are often essentially powerless, while bishops seemingly possess limitless power," he said. "Theoretically, bishops are supposed to report to the Vatican. But practically speaking, each bishop is the lord of his own kingdom and answers to no one."

Although the threat was not signed, DeMolen said it was sent by a deacon in the church. It called DeMolen a "child molesting pervert" and said he should leave the parish.

Bishop Calvo and Tom Dolan at the Bishop's Benefit for St. Vincent's.

"It will be well for you to remember the accident that can befall the elderly and their dogs in Tahoe's waters," the threat said.

Restraining order

In response, DeMolen prohibited the deacon from entering church property, including the parking lot, parish hall and rectory and filed for a temporary restraining order.

When Calvo learned of the priest's actions, he sent DeMolen a letter ordering him to revoke the restraining order and said "you should have consulted with me before you took this action."

In a subsequent letter Aug. 14, Calvo said he had warned DeMolen against making any unauthorized moves. Even though he relieved the deacon, the bishop said the deacon remained in good standing with the Catholic Church.

Calvo told DeMolen he should submit his resignation effective in September.

In the suit, DeMolen said he had a right to seek protection from a death threat by seeking a restraining order and said Calvo has not followed canon law in the way he handled the termination of a priest.

He said Calvo has "directly, intentionally and tortiously" interfered with DeMolen's "contractual and prospective economic relationship with the diocese," by using false accusations and "ignoring settled church procedure for such matters."

Contact: mbellisle@rgj.com