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	At a Troubled Connecticut Church, Another Pastor Is Disciplined By Alison Leigh Cowan The New York Times May 24, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/nyregion/24priest.html?_r=1&oref=slogin DARIEN, Conn., May 23 — About 200 protesters gathered at the town's oldest Roman Catholic church to protest the Bridgeport Diocese's demotion on Tuesday of a priest, Father Michael Madden, who was put in charge of their parish only last week. The change in Father Madden's responsibilities at Saint John Parish followed the unexpected announcement he made at Mass on Tuesday morning that unbeknownst to the diocese, he had helped hire the private investigator who cataloged instances of financial impropriety on the part of the previous pastor, Father Michael Jude Fay. Those findings embarrassed the diocese and became part of the criminal investigation swirling around Father Fay. Parishioners smarting over revelations that Father Fay may have been living the high life at their expense were angry that Father Madden, or Father Mike, as they call him, might have paid a price for having tried to put an end to it. "We're all here protesting," said Maria Taylor, 19. "Father Mike is an absolute inspiration to me. He was frustrated, and I don't blame him." Bishop William E. Lori, the spiritual head of the Catholic Church in Fairfield County, announced last week that he had demanded Father Fay's resignation. The reaction to Father Madden's demotion was swift. By 5 p.m., the diocese had issued a statement noting that the bishop had "agreed to the request of Father Michael Madden to relinquish his role as acting administrator of Saint John Parish." It said that Father Madden would be allowed to remain as the parochial vicar temporarily. But once a new pastor was appointed, it said, he would be asked to step aside for a "period of rest and reflection." According to a diocese statement, Father Madden acknowledged hiring the investigator with the parish bookkeeper. "They did so out of their personal funds," the statement said, "even though Father Madden had been working closely with the diocesan officials and knew that a thorough internal review of Father Fay's stewardship of the parish had been under way." The Diocese said it had been unaware until last Tuesday that the investigator had been hired. It also released the text of a letter from Father Madden in which he expressed regret for hiring the investigator. Parishioners started streaming into the church about 4 p.m. About 6:30 p.m., the bishop arrived, accompanied by Father Madden. Most of those at the church spoke out in support of Father Madden and challenged the bishop's handling of the matter. They complained that Father Madden was being punished for trying to do the right thing. Approached for comment, Father Madden ducked into the rectory.
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