Gallup's Bishop Discusses Divisive, Financial Issues

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Gallup Independent
December 10, 2012

http://www.gallupindependent.com/Independent/Index.html

GALLUP — Although Gallup Bishop James S. Wall would have preferred to talk about the Roman Catholic Church’s recently initiated Year of Faith, he agreed to sit down for a one-hour, no-holds-barred interview Nov. 16.

During the interview, Wall fielded a variety of questions, ranging from divisive issues affecting Gallup clergy to the ongoing legal quagmire of clergy sex abuse allegations. The bishop pledged to try to improve the Gallup chancery’s relationship with the news media but expressed frustration over some assumptions that he feels the media has made during his tenure and that of the late Bishop Donald E. Pelotte.

“I would say this though ... I think our relationship with the media could have been better in the past,” Wall said. “I think it’s difficult at times, I think it’s contentious at times. But that’s one of the reasons why I’ve brought Father Tim Farrell onboard, and he’s graciously accepted to serve as our media liaison because I want to make sure that we’re responding to those things as best as possible.”

Divisive issues

Responding to a need for healing among priests in the diocese, Wall said he held a gathering this past spring to address such concerns.

“This past March we held our first convocation, and the convocation was entitled “Healing and Hope,” Wall said. “And it was with intent of looking back over our past and making sure that we have good, healthy, honest discussion. ... If there are any hurts, any issues that needed to be addressed, that we were able to do that. And that we can do that looking forward with a great sense of hope. Because the primary reason is so that we can announce the Kingdom of God, that we can bring people into a closer relationship with Christ and his Church.”

Wall was asked about the unequal punishment — and seemingly unequal Christian forgiveness — that has generated discontent through the years. Wall was presented with a list of priests “in good standing” in the diocese who have been publicly or privately accused of a variety of misconduct. Some of the alleged misconduct involved improper relationships with adult men, boundary violations, sexual assault and sexual harassment. In addition, two priests were criminally convicted in Arizona’s Navajo County in the 1990s. One was convicted of aggravated assault and DUI, and the other pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana after he had the drug mailed to his church rectory in Winslow.

“I look at each priest on a case-by-case basis,” Wall said of the list. “I try to work with each priest on a case-by-case basis. And I try to help each priest to be active in ministry to the best of their ability.”

The actions of one priest, however, have not yet merited forgiveness — much to the concern of some fellow priests. The Rev. Gil Mangampo, who has claimed that he was twice sexually harassed by other Gallup clergy, left the diocese without permission in 2010 after learning chancery officials were building a possible criminal case against him for alleged embezzlement of church funds. Mangampo has yet to be criminally charged, but Wall described the allegations against Mangampo as “an ongoing legal situation.”

Forced from ministry

Conversely, Wall was asked about four well-respected priests who were forced out of ministry in the diocese because they came into conflict with Pelotte and his chancery officials over incidents and policies they believed were immoral, unjust, unethical or un-Christian. With their ouster, the Gallup Diocese — which is struggling with a priest shortage — lost the full-time ministry of the Rev. Pat Universal, the Rev. Jerry Mesley, the Rev. Dan Hussey and the Rev. Oliver Curran.

Wall said Universal is serving with the St. James Society in Boston. Mesley, he said, is a retired priest who is “able to serve anywhere throughout the diocese,” but splits his time between a diocese in Louisiana and part-time ministry here. Both are still Diocese of Gallup priests. Wall said Hussey and Curran officially joined the Diocese of Reno in Reno, Nev., but he couldn’t remember if he ever asked them to return to ministry in Gallup before their incardination into the Reno Diocese.

“You know, I can’t remember if I had or not,” Wall said. “I really couldn’t tell you. I mean, I could have or I couldn’t have. I don’t know, but it’s kind of a moot point now because they’re both serving happily and very well in the Diocese of Reno. And I understand they’re enjoying their ministry too.”

Wall said he also couldn’t remember if Universal and Mesley were invited to participate in the reconciliation program of the “Healing and Hope” convocation in the spring.

“I can’t remember if the invitation went out to Fathers Universal and Mesley or not,” Wall said. “I just really couldn’t tell you.”

Several priests who attended the convocation expressed concern that the two priests had been excluded.

Financial concerns

Wall was also asked about another subject of clergy concern — the reported lack of information regarding the state of diocesan finances. The bishop said he plans to start sharing that information with clergy in upcoming annual meetings.

“Well, what I plan on doing ... is to have a yearly meeting, and possibly that could be one large meeting or possibly could be a couple meetings to make it a little easier for everybody to speak or share concerns or insights that they might have.” Wall said. “This was something that I was part of when I was in the Diocese of Phoenix, and this is something I want to continue here. And I think it’s a good idea. I think it’s a good idea to be transparent. We ask our pastors to be very transparent with their parishioners, and I think it’s important that the diocese is very transparent as well.”

Wall also defended his chief financial officer, Deacon James Hoy. Through the years, many Gallup clergy have raised concerns about Hoy’s financial policies, his transparency and his professional expertise.

Wall said under the requirements of church canon law, diocesan financial officials have to receive proper approval and endorsement, and Hoy has received both.

“And I think he’s doing a good job,” Wall added. “And it’s a hard job. Especially it’s a hard job doing this in a diocese which is very, very poor.”

Wall was asked about Hoy’s professional qualifications — a question that has been posed twice before to the diocese. A 2011 diocesan newspaper article stated Hoy has a number of degrees and certification, but the article did not state from what educational institutions.

“You should ask him,” Wall said. “I know he has a financial background, a financial background in those degrees. But you should ask him yourself.”

On Monday, an email requesting that information was sent to Hoy via Farrell, the diocese’s media liaison. Hoy has yet to respond to the request.

NEXT: Bishop James S. Wall discusses issues surrounding the Diocese of Gallup’s ongoing clergy abuse allegations.