Priest, Money Missing from Zuni

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Gallup Independent
November 10, 2014

http://gallupindependent.com/

ZUNI — Officials with the Diocese of Gallup are investigating the sudden disappearance of one of its foreign priests, as well as allegations surrounding his abrupt departure.

The Rev. Ravi Kiran, aka Ravi Kiran Dasari or Ravikiran Dasari, a native of India, reportedly left his assignment at St. Anthony’s Indian Mission on the Pueblo of Zuni Oct. 9, according to Zuni parishioners. A multitude of allegations surround the priest, including allegations of possible misuse of parish funds.

Questions emailed Tuesday to Bishop James S. Wall and his chancellor, the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, have not yet been answered. Questions were left Thursday for Zuni Gov. Arlen P. Quetawki Sr., who was out of his office.

A request for comment from Kiran’s provincial superior in India has gone unanswered.

Suzanne Hammons, the media coordinator for the Diocese of Gallup, confirmed Kiran left his priestly assignment without notifying the diocese.

Kiran, who was recruited to the Gallup Diocese by Wall, had served briefly as the diocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools. Wall assigned him to St. Anthony’s after the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had a longtime ministry in the Pueblo of Zuni, withdrew from the mission in 2011. Financial accounts established by the Franciscans are at the center of some of the allegations.

Interviews with parishioners from St. Anthony’s reveal Kiran’s tenure at the mission has left the parish deeply divided. A number of Zuni church members have left, claiming Kiran pushed them out of their own parish. Other Zuni church members continue to support Kiran and believe the allegations against him are untrue.

Hammons said the Diocese of Gallup’s investigation into Kiran is still in its preliminary stage.

Wall’s chancery officials reportedly conducted an audit of St. Anthony’s financial accounts soon after Kiran’s departure. According to parishioners, Finnegan read a letter from Wall during a Mass at St. Anthony’s Oct. 26, but that letter did not explain Kiran’s disappearance nor did it address any of the allegations. Diocesan officials have not released a copy of that letter to Kiran’s supporters, his detractors or to the Independent.

—Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola can be contacted at 505- 870-0745.