Diocesan Memorandum

Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
August 27, 2015

http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/wpfb-file/september2015diocesan-memorandum-pdf/

WARNINGS: USCCB- RE: FR. ANTHONY NACHEF

The Eparchy of Newton of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Fr. Anthony Nachef. Fr. Nachef was previously a priest of the Basilian Salvatorian Order who was removed from the several ministry positions and subsequently was expelled from that Order and incurred excommunication. He was later permitted to return to the priesthood while at the same time operating a private travel agency in Massachusetts, and in 2010 the previous Eparchial Bishop of Newton had agreed that Fr. Nachef was a priest in good standing for certain limited purposes.

However, the current Eparchial Bishop of Newton advises us that he has now revoked all faculties that Fr. Nachef may have had in that Eparchy, following subsequent reports of misconduct, and that the Patriarchal Exarch of the Melkite Eparchy in Mexico has also withdrawn Fr. Nachef’s faculties. The previous Eparchial Bishop of Newton, Archbishop Cyril Bustros, now the Metropolitan of Beirut and Jbeil (Lebanon) has declared that Fr. Nachef is not a member of the clergy of that Archdiocese, either.

As a result, the Eparchial Bishop of Newton advises that Fr. Nachef is not in good standing with the Church and cannot celebrate the liturgy in public, but rather is attempting to promote the business of his “Catholic” travel agency through use of his priesthood. Those needing further information should contact the Office of the Bishop of the Eparchy of Newton at (617) 323-9921.

WARNINGS: USCCB- RE: FR. KRIKOR GREGORY SUHEL CHAHIN

The Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the United States and Canada has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Fr. Krikor Gregory Suhel Chahin. Fr. Chahin is said to be a priest ordained in the Armenian Rite but incardinated in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockholm (Sweden), and the Eparchy advises he is not in good standing in the Eparchy. It relates that Fr. Chahin had been directed to leave the Eparchy and return to Sweden, but he applied unsuccessfully for ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Eparchy further advises that Fr. Chahin has now returned to the United States from Sweden and that he may be applying for other ministry positions in dioceses in the United States. Those needing further information should contact the Most Rev. Mikael Mouradian, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg, at (347) 981-1801.

WARNINGS: USCCB- RE: FR. MANUEL GALLO-ESPINOZA

The Archdiocese of Newark has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Fr. Manuel Gallo-Espinoza, a priest of the Diocese of Loja (Ecuador) who had previously ministered in the Archdiocese in 2003, but whose faculties were removed following accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor. The Archdiocese relates that it understood that Fr. Gallo-Espinoza had then returned to Ecuador. However, the Archdiocese advises that it now believes Fr. Gallo-Espinoza to be living in Maryland, and that he does not have the permission of his diocesan bishop to be in the United States and does not have faculties from the Diocese of Loja. Those needing further information should contact the Office of the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Newark at (973) 497-4002.

WARNINGS: USCCB- RE: FR. ALBERT MLIGO

The Diocese of Marquette has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Fr. Albert Mligo, a priest of the Diocese of Mbeya (Tanzania). The Diocese of Marquette advises that it has received a credible allegation of misconduct by Fr. Mligo which is said to have taken place during a fundraising trip to the Diocese of Marquette in 2011, when Fr. Mligo was purportedly raising funds for a mission parish and hospital in Matamba, Tanzania. The Diocese of Marquette also states that questions have arisen relating to the fundraising practices used by Fr. Mligo. The diocese of Marquette advises that Fr. Mligo no longer has its permission to enter into or practice priestly ministry there, and that it no longer supports the mission parish and hospital in Matamba to which Fr. Mligo’s fundraising activities related. Those needing further information should contact the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, at (906) 227-9115.

WARNINGS: USCCB- RE: FR. PETER BALILI

The Diocese of Belleville has advised the Conference of its concerns regarding Fr. Peter Balili a priest of the Diocese of Tagbilaran (Philippines) who had previously served as a fidei donum missionary in the Diocese of Belleville. The Diocese of Belleville informs the Conference that it has dismissed Fr. Balili from this position, and has requested his bishop to direct Fr. Balili to return to his home diocese, and that it took this action based on instances of what the Diocese of Belleville viewed as inappropriate conduct regarding certain of his parishioners. The Diocese of Belleville also indicates that it has learned of similar inappropriate conduct in Fr. Balili’s previous assignments. Those needing further information should contact Fr. Von C. Deeke, liaison for International Priests of the Diocese of Belleville at (618) 277-8181.