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	Text of Priest's Letter The Advocate May 23, 2006 http://www.norwalkadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-fay-archive- letter,0,7070198.story?coll=nor-news-local-headlines Dear Parishioners: I am writing to you today to apologize for my recent actions and to ask for your forgiveness. At Mass this morning, and in conversations with many of you, I spoke way out of turn and suggested things regarding Bishop William Lori and the Diocese of Bridgeport which were not true or factual, in reference to the investigation of Father Fay's financial stewardship of our parish. I also assumed the Diocese knew things about Father Fay's personal life, which in fact the Diocese did not know but had a right to know. For all of this, I am deeply sorry. Despite the fact that I had been working closely with Diocesan officials on this matter, and knew that a vigorous internal review was well under way, I rushed ahead and joined our parish bookkeeper, in hiring a private investigator, using our own personal funds. The Diocese had no knowledge that I hired an investigator. In hindsight, I realize I made a huge mistake which has further complicated matters. In my actions and words, I betrayed your trust and the trust of my Bishop, who has been working diligently to deal with the situation at hand and to arrive at the truth of these matters. I also misled you into doubting that the Diocese is fully engaged in vigorously working for a just and prudent resolution of this matter. I want to apologize sincerely to Bishop Lori, Msgr. J. Peter Cullen, Nancy Matthews, Norm Walker, Father Bill Platt and my brother priests, and all the people in the Diocese who have been working on the investigation. I also, in a personal and heartfelt way, want to apologize to you for how I have contributed to the problem instead of working to resolve it. Under the circumstances, I voluntarily asked Bishop Lori to release me from my appointment as acting Administrator. Bishop Lori gave me the option of remaining with the people of Saint John's as Parochial Vicar as a new Pastor is appointed and settles in, followed by a much need time of rest and reflection, or immediately taking a period of rest and reflection. I chose to remain as your Parochial Vicar for the time being, and Bishop Lori has agreed to this. I hope that I can in some way rectify the difficult situation I have created and restore unity to the parish. In closing, please pray for me, as I will remember all of you in my daily prayers. Father Michael Madden
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