Please see the updates below:
The head of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Las Vegas has been suspended pending an investigation into the finances of the Church.
From the LVRJ: Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, pastor of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, has been placed on leave while an "allegation of a financial nature" is investigated, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas announced Monday.
The diocese is using a certified public accounting firm to perform a financial audit, according to a statement from diocese spokeswoman Rachel Wilkinson.
The allegation involves only St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and does not touch on accounts belonging to the diocese, she said.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/st-elizabeth-ann-seton-pastor-placed-on-leave-while-finances-investigated-124204714.html
I know Monsignor McAuliffe as I used to go to the Church, taught Catechism there and got to know Father Kevin because he used to be a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese and I believe at St. John Vianney to be more specific. He has been out here in Vegas for many years.
Msgr. McAuliffe is also Vicar General, Chancellor, and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Las Vegas -- the #2 man in the diocese, after only the bishop himself.
I would be shocked if we find out that Father Kevin did anything wrong. He is a good man and has a real quiet way about him, from what I saw.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a church in Summerlin and is probably the richest church in the Las Vegas diocese. It's hard to teach humility in this Church when people come to church in their very fancy cars wearing their bling. I attended the Church for about 2 years but never felt I was really accepted by very many of parishioners, but I was accepted more at St. Elizabeth than other Catholic churches I have been to. (I have been to many Catholic Churches in Las Vegas, and it really is hard to be accepted- a lot of cliques)
At this Church, they do not have a rectory or parsonage. The priests live off Church grounds and probably in their own homes. Hopefully, this had nothing to do with what is going on here.
St. Elizabeth brings in a ton of money. A couple years ago, they finished building a secondary chapel which cost about $1 million to build They operate a gift shop 7 days a week and they get huge donations every Saturday and Sunday. It is very possible that someone besides Father Kevin did something wrong but they are holding Father Kevin responsible.
For more on St. Elizabeth's: http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/parishes_st_elizabeth.html
For more on the Las Vegas Diocese: http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/index.php
Updated information 8/22/2011: It appears Monsignor McAuliff has been removed from the Church. For more inofrmation:
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2011/08/las-vegas-priest-removed-from-church.html
Update: 10/1/2011 There is a new story in the LVRJ about this case. Apparently Monsignor McAuliffe is being investigated by the Feds and not local law enforcement.
http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2011/10/update-las-vegas-priest-monsignor.html
Update: McAuliffe has pled guilty for stealing $650,000 from SEAS: http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2011/10/breaking-news-monsignor-mcauliffe.html
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I was at Mass yesterday when Father Jim read Father Kevin's letter. When a priest starts out with "There have been some allegations," your heart just sinks.
ReplyDeleteFather Kevin volunteered to take the leave. It certainly didn't sound like the diocese coming in to clean house. And the tone was...not defiant, but certainly not guilty. I agree with your assessment of Father Kevin. The charges seem vindictive in nature.
You're right, St. Elizabeth's is very well off. And we were assured that the parish is financially sound and more than able to continue. Purely speculating, there are a lot of donors. One of them could have disagreed with the way money was being spent. Or, as you said, someone was misbehaving and Father Kevin is taking the hit because he's in charge.
My friends go to Our Lady's. One pastor assaulted a woman and the next robbed them blind. The diocese sent their enforcer, Father Tony, in to clean up. If I see Father Tony at St. Elizabeth's (he started the parish), I'll know we're in trouble.
The letter was careful to state that Father Kevin will continue his ecclesiastical duties elsewhere in the diocese. First, I pray there's nothing to these charges. Second, I hope Father Kevin will be allowed to return.
Thanks Shannon for the information and background.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there are people already finding him guilty. If he is innocent, where does he get his reputation back?
I would hope that once the investigation is complete and should Msgr. Kevin be fully exhonerated that the names of the accusers be published as well. How convenient they get to be nameless while the accused gets to be villified before we even know what the facts may truly be. John 8:7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone (at her)." Bless you Msgr.Kevin. You are praying for you!
ReplyDeleteMsgr. Kevin never was a priest in Wisconsin. He was ordained for the Las Vegas diocese. He is from Milwaukee and applied for the priesthood there but was not accepted. Ten years later he was accepted for the Diocese of Las Vegas. He admits this himself. Most parishes in the Diocese of Las Vegas own homes in the neighborhood which serve as rectories. They are owned by the parishes, not by the individual priests. Of course, civilly, all parish and diocesan property is owned by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Las Vegas, a Corporation Sole. Msgr. Kevin has long administered the parish finances in a secretive manner, handling all expenditures personally. While that behavior is not in itself probative of guilt, it certainly is a contrast with a spirit of transparency and openness. Another issue is how he has been permitted to continue in this manner for so long without an audit or other needed vigilance being exercised by the Diocese of Las Vegas.
ReplyDeleteIf Msgr. (since I was a kid, all priests are Father-Someone to me) Kevin is exonerated, the parish would gladly have him back. Not just because Fr. Jim (who is from Milwaukee, or thereabouts) is now our only parish priest, but because we like him.
ReplyDeleteThe commenter that said Msgr. Kevin has long administered finances in a secretive manner is right, inasmuch as I've never belonged to a parish that practiced transparency and openness to the satisfaction of its parishioners. "Being allowed to continue in this manner...without an audit," however, is a statement that tells me the commenter knows something I, a butt in the pews, doesn't. If you can enlighten us, great.
Without specifics, we all have to go by gut instinct. Mine, which has sometimes been known to be way off base, tells me that there's something not right about the allegations. Normally, you hear rumors first. Or see dissent. There wasn't, as far as I saw, any of that. I've been in churches on the verge of falling apart (Our Lady) and you could FEEL it. That's why I find this all so unbelievable.
Dan, you asked how, if innocent, he'll get his reputation back? My first thought was, regardless of the outcome of the audit, he was gone (folded into another parish, shifted out of state). I still fear this because now, there is doubt.
Painful as it is, we'll have to wait for the investigation to play out.
To anon at 10:23, thanks for the info and perhaps I was confusing him with another priest or perhaps misunderstod? That certainly is possible.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sure there is a lack of transparency to a certain extent. Who really knows where the money goes from the collection plate? But I am still shocked that this is coming out now, especially after all the fund raising that had been going on with the new Chapel. If something was going to happen, I would have thought there would have been the time to do it.
Frank says
ReplyDeleteFather Kevin is a good man. built an empire in summerlin. its a class organization, from the school, parish hall and the newly built chapel which provides its parishioners with 24 hour adoration. Some of you should crawl on your knees in that chapel to the Lord and ask for forgiveness in judgment.
To Anonymouse who said "I wouldn't call him Father he's a phony" - is so wrong, that comment should be deleted. Monsignor Kevin is not only honest, intelligent, an accountant by trade (in Milwaukee), and a holy man of God - he is a giver, not a taker. I personally have seen him give money to poor people who asked him for money. Out of his own pocket too. This all came about by either a wealthy parishioner or another priest who does not like Monsignor Kevin because he is an orthodox priest, one who sticks to the teachings of the Church. He kept a fully perfect financial house, and that is why he could leave right away, and say "come and do an audit" knowing all will be fine. He walked away with his head held high. Fr. Jim said he was inheriting a "well oiled school and church". It is. I saw Msgr. Kevin in his office at 1 AM on Saturday mornings - and then head into the Adoration Chapel to pray for another hour. He was seen in their often. He IS a Man of God. There is a Novena that many of us are praying now for him. It is the Litany to St. Joseph. All for Msgr. Kevin. He deserves our support.
ReplyDeleteIt is true in criminal law that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But that is not something that binds all people morally. It is reasonable to be suspicious. If these charges against Msgr. Kevin were truly frivolous, would this public action have been taken? The church has other ways of handling these things quietly when they don't have much merit. After his apx. 25 years as a priest, he is entitled to a sabbatical. He could simply take a short sabbatical, the audit could take place while he is gone, and then he would come back exonerated. If it turned out then that he was guilty, his crimes could then be reported to the police. Why do such public damage to his reputation and to the church unless it is likely that there is merit to the accusations? This is very serious and sounds like it likely includes embezzlement.
ReplyDeleteBecause of all the secrecy surrounding the priest pedophilia scandal years ago, the pendulum has swung so far the other way in the "name of transparency." Bishops don't want to do ANYTHING that even hints at cover-up . . .yet, the downside is there is no proof, no charges -- NOTHING (at least yet - if ever) that can be proven that Fr. Kevin took the money. The sad truth is that is his reputation has been ruined -- even if nothing is ever uncovered or proven that he is responsible, it is impossible for him to prove he didn't take it (unless someone else is proven to have taken it). Basic Logic 101 - you can't prove a negative.
ReplyDeleteThe public statement by the parish/archdiocese has just thrown him under the bus. . . "See - we really are being transparent." No other company or organization would dare do that to an employee (i.e. name someone publicly) before there was a full investigation and charges were issued.
Let's hope the audit team (and police if they are involved) truly look at ALL the likely scenarios -- not just the one that targets this priest. And, if the Archdiocese can figure this out and deal with it internally, more power to them.
The hallmark of our faith as Christians is forgiveness. . .
What's forgiveness have to do with this yet?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you're assuming he's innocent. You can rightfully get angry at the people who think less of him now, but you can't get mad at the church heirarchy because you have no idea why they removed him. He has been thrown under the bus by people who make assumptions, people like yourself.
If the church never tells us what happened, then you can get mad at the church.
And it seems they've had enough time to find out if something's going on.
As far as corporations go, they're the institution of Satan, of course they don't publish the names of the thieves they employ.
Fr. Kevin is a good man. He is very "black and white," good vs. bad, and I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams that he intentionally did anything illegal or immoral. He has no patience for "bad" priests and an allegation against him must pain him immensely. Many people don't like him because of his strong views, but the strong conservative views are what have kept our Church alive for 2000 years - it's not a buffet where you only take what you want from the faith, and Fr. Kevin is very clear on that. He doesn't sway to popular opinion, but has always stayed true to Church teachings. People who criticize him for this should find another church - there are plenty out there who cater to people's wants. My heart goes out to him, and people should reserve their judgement and negative comments about him until this is settled. Just because someone doesn't like a priest does not mean he is a criminal!!
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know if he is back at the church?
ReplyDeleteIt is a know fact that Fr. Kevin REFUSED to be audited. And the Bishop let Fr. Kevin get away with that. Simple good business dictates an audit. The FBI is involved, and Fr. Kevin WILL be going to prison. This is not a conspiracy. Blind devotion to a priest is similar to a cult in my opinion. Those who simple mindedly refuse to consider his guilt are the reason why the abuse of children was enabled for years. The Bishop would not have removed him based only on rumors. But of course, the Bishop will try to cover this up. I go to church to worship the Lord. Those who blindly worship Fr. Kevin should question why they do.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that he is going to prison? Doesn't he have a right to a trial or something? Are we not still in the US where there is a presumption of innocence. Personally, I believe that if the FBI is involved, a wrong has been committed. Your other points are great but you devalue them when you predict future events that you could not possible know for sure.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I heard, he is still at the Shrine.
ReplyDeleteReason FBI is involved - gambling with stolen money on internet - across State lines. Federal crime. Period. Not even a chance Bishop can say he does not want to press charges. FBI will press them. Yes, he has right to a trial. And if Casey Anthony can be found not guilty, Fr. Kevin can also be found not guilty. That it the great thing about our justice system. So many loopholes for guilty people to be found innocent. So I stand corrected - he may not go to jail. I'm just tired of all the "he's such a great priest, no way he would ever do anything wrong" comments. Kind of like Nazi Germany. "I don't know why anyone would say anything bad about Adolph. He's such a nice guy, and he's done so many good things for the economy. Why would anyone say bad things about him?"
ReplyDeleteUntil there's a trial, I think Mr anonymous should leave his accusations to statements of opinion. If you're going to openly accuse someone, the accused has a right to know your name and so do we. You're as bad as any false accuser, regardless of the truth.
ReplyDeleteIn reading these blogs it seems that there are two camps on this subject. The first camp appear to blindly follow and believe in the man (ordained a priest) and due to their own naiveté, seem to believe that a priest,or specifically this priest, is incapable of having a gambling addiction and stealing money to pay for the sickness. Would they have us believe this priest, or any priest is incapable of having an illness or of committing sin? Do they really believe that priests can't have a private gambling or substance abuse problem, just because they are a priest? So what are they capable of? Just venial sins? Can we, as an educated people, actually and blindly believe that priests are the gods that this camp has elevated them to? The answer is obvious and unchanging. Children were abused and defiled by these same priests, who did so while BOTH laity and clergy covered for them! This is a dangerous mindset for all.
ReplyDeleteThe second camp, is not so understanding. They have tried and convicted the man. Many of their statements indicate that they have a higher level of knowledge and information about this priest, information that is not common knowledge. How do they know? If their statements are to be believed, they should be backed, BUT THEY ARE NOT. According to this camp, he is a gambler, an internet gambler, a thief, homophobic, vindictive, etc. They want us to think that they have personal first hand knowledge of the minutes of his life. So if they knew these things, did they all report this priest, or should have? Did they watch all this happen and say nothing? Would it not be fair and Christian to wait and see what the proof is before we speculate, accuse and try this priest. We would all deserve this much, why not him? After all he is just a human, not a god.
ReplyDelete"How do they know?"
ReplyDeleteSure, let me tell you who I am and what my source is. LOL!
"So if they knew these things, did they all report this priest, or should have? Did they watch all this happen and say nothing?"
I didn't know it was going on, but I now know what WAS going on.
I work at the Diocese. If you don't want to take what I say as true, I don't care.
Wow,seems I backed you in a corner. It must be hard to work there right now. BTW, I wasn't directing the comment at 11:54 at just you. You are not the only one who "knows".
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what is going on with the audit?
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous from today at 3:29.....Do you think, or know that Fr Vivona is involved?
ReplyDeletePriest's have always been held in too high esteem by a certain "type" of Catholic. A fear-based, immature type of spirituality. They fail to see that Christ himself challenged the religious authority of his day. Jesus questioned religious authority. Hours of praying after work in the chapel is not necessarily a sign of holiness as (Catholic Monk) Thomas Merton once said: "What passes too often as spirituality, is guilt, turned inside out." A clear conscience keeps many a good man sleeping soundly in the wee hours. A bit of a struggle there in the chapel? Hmm. I too worked for this diocese, for years. I KNOW of some uncharitable things done by both McAuliffe and Vivona. The rest of you are fooled. Yet, while nobody should condemn McAuliffe, for this latest of diocesan priest drama's, this diocese does have it's problems. Priests here are on a long leash. If there be any leash at all. This Bishop (like many American Bishops)treat serious matters with a "slap on the wrist." (i.e. CTK and the Fr. Bill Kenney incident. Many are still left amazed that this priest is still active, but it's politics, you see. Kenney knows the right people.)The folks herein who speak of McAuliffe as a holy man, may be surprised. By the way, that term, "holy man" when applied to Las Vegas diocesan priests, is laughable. You use it too loosely. He has a history, not so attractive-and yes, his "pal" Vivona was connected to this past also, when a parish here rallied with a petition and had them both removed. Oh yes. So, the inquiry above is legitimate about Vivona. Many who are employed by the diocese will tell you that monies from McAuliffes Parish have, over the years, found a way of "assisting" Vivona's "Byzantine Empire, I mean, "Rite" church here in town. Perhaps? Maybe? Who's minding the cookie jar? McAuliffe should have NEVER been permitted to solely manage all that money. Parishes should have an outside agency do this, with consistent audits. Why is it they don't? Ah, gee..um..ah..would it have to do with not wanting you to know, what I'm doing with your money? At the very least, many employed by the diocese will tell you "all is not as it appears," there at the Holy of Holies on Pueblo Vista." When one looks closely at the Bishops Office, hardly is there anything admirable about the way justice has been meted out to wayward priests. It's not just here, it's nationwide. Catholics with backbone and a true sense of love for Christ and Church, challenge priests and bishops. And Jesus turned to the crowds and said: "I tell you truly, many will come in my name..but beware..for they will appear as wolves in sheep's clothing." In the last analysis, Bishop Pepe has some hard questions to respond to. That is, if he is not "on leave" or "sabbatical" when you come knocking. Wake up people. And for those here who follow blindly? Grow up. Find the Christ in you that was, and is still, a revolutionary of all that tarnishes Gods House. Some of you people worship these priests more than God. You have yet to mature spiritually. You have yet to realize the Kingdom Within.
ReplyDeleteI hear things about this priest and his friend Fr. Vivona, and what is said is not very positive. I know that people from SEAS were upset because a number of open jobs at SEAS were given to people from Fr. Vivona's Byzantine church. I know that Fr. Vivona strongly influenced this parish and he is not very well liked. He drove some people away. He is sort of rude and loud mouthed. I did not care for this parish. I was a parishioner there many years ago. I saw Fr. Kevin gambling up at the Rampart a few times, but does this mean he is a sinner? Or, does it mean he has an addiction, like they said about that priest at Christ the King who spent all that money in casinos too? Does the woman above ever wonder that Fr.Kevin may be up late gambling on his computer and not working? Addiction is not just for the rest of us. Does anyone know why Fr. Kevin could not be a priest in Wisconsin? I left the catholic church and I'm happy now. I have a new church, Christian, with many good people. We do volunteer work, feed the homeless, have prayer groups, bible study, etc., and a team of people oversee the money that comes into our account, not just the pastor. Why was this wealthy church allowed to go so long without audits? I blame the bishop.
ReplyDelete"Deal with it internally..more power to them.." What planet are you on? A crime is a crime. "More power to them!" Power? The misuse of POWER, is EXACTLY WHY there is so much scandal at the diocesan level. You did well to remain anonymous, or you'd really look like a fool,an enabler and contributing voice to priestly misuse of authority. As it is, one priest got away with swindling an elderly parishioner and her poor family in this town out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.If a non-professed religious did that,they'd be in prison!And here, the priest did not even report his actions to the IRS!! Power? It's called Grand Theft.
ReplyDeleteYou (above:July 9th)need to re-think where your comments come from. What are you thinking? HANDLING MATTERS INTERNALLY HAS RESULTED IN CHILD ABUSE AND THE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN!!
WAKE UP!!!!
If Fr. Kevin is guilty, he should be punished according to the law. Like all of us. End of story. He's a man,not Jesus. If he is found innocent, he has nothing to worry about. The verdict will exonerate him as such. However, with the history of Bishops nationwide and especially the one in this city, rest assured, a cover up will be attempted. It is wise and just, if in fact the FBI is involved, because the Bishops Office could have retained an accounting/audit firm that may be there to protect Fr. Kevin and this diocese from yet more scandal.
Some of you people here just don't get it. When will you stop this infantile and ignorant view of priests?
Pathetic.
To:Anonymous:July 13: 3:59 PM.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I respect you as a Christian and also for your personal opinions, yours is a viewpoint largely based on externals. You do not know Fr. Kevin, no more than he knows you. You are not an intimate of the man. You know of a certain priest and what this priest chooses to allow you and his parish to see and hear. That's all. An image. None of you know what this man does in his free time. Fact. Many criminals, on the surface, appear conservative and aligned with ethical and moral values, in the public eye. It's part of the disguise which allows them to live a double life.
Yet, their personal,private lives contradict that which is an exterior facade. You are very naive. I'm not saying he is guilty or innocent. I'm simply saying that your view and others here,goes uninformed and is solely based on externals and an emotional attachment to an image of Fr. Kevin..and not what is the total person of Fr. Kevin.
To those who say that they would be shocked to learn that Fr. McAuliife may be guilty, you are in need of a hard life's lesson. Which is, the most apparent best among us are capable of the worst.
I'm from the camp that would never be shocked at what a priest is caught doing. Not because I think priests are bad. No. It's because they are human, flawed people. They are capable of sinful acts and should never be assumed holy until after their work is done and they are laying in a coffin. Only then can we assess a life that was holy or not. At the very end. Right now, we all have a way to go. Including Fr. Kevin McAuliffe.
@Frank/June 21st.
ReplyDeleteMcAuliffe did not "build and empire" in Summerlin. Wealthy benefactors, good and generous familes like the Kilduffs did, not McAuliffe. He just happened to be there. McAuliffe had timing on his side when he started out there when the place was a trailer park. Then, and only then, did a need for a Catholic church appear for this part of the city. The Diocese, due to the influx of Catholics from around the nation moving to Las Vegas, needed to construct a parish in Summerlin. (A Wealthy part of town, Frank.) Geographics,(location)necessity of Catholic parishioner worship demand and wealthy contributors built that parish, not Kevin McAuliffe. Frank, I'm afraid you are a tad delusional.
I notice a running thread here with many of Fr. McAuliffes supporters. They speak either from highly emotional and affective places, or from grounds lacking the substance of fact, and worst of all, from a submissive, almost a brain-washed mentality, too often given over to imaginative and delusional perspectives of a man who is given far too much recognition. Has McAuliffe walked on water lately? Right now, he's walking on thin ice.
The Church is comprised of three types: The Politicians, The Wealthy Benefactors and The Authentically Holy. The last of which are the rarest. God's favor rest's on them. The second keep it in motion and influence both it's structure and progressive destination-powers behind the throne. The first are similar to the second, they just their lack money. Their role is more underground-aligned with ingratiating themselves towards Priests and Bishops-playing roles of sway and influence whenever their skills are needed to promote an agenda or venture within the framework of the parish-or-such as this business here with McAuliffe-Frank is a good example. Here, he promotes an image. You may have influenced little old white haired ladies clutching rosary beads Frank, but we know better-and we are a growing number.
Posting opinions such I am now doing serves no purpose, just as yours do not. I have attended Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe's parish over the years, while vacationing in the Las Vegas area. He has presented himself in church as a very knowledgeable and dedicated priest, who serves both God and man. That being said, no one is without flaws or sin. Let us pray he is vindicated of any wrong doing as I believe he will. Just as a side note, it is interesting how such a corrupt government as we now have is investigating anyone.
ReplyDeleteI was a SEAS member for 11 years. SEAS is cold and unfriendly. Consistently, cold and unfriendly. The school and the church, period. I was actively involved in both so don't say it's because I wasn't involved! It reminded me of the military!!! March on and don't ask questions!!!!
ReplyDeleteFather Kevin is extremely unfriendly. Unfriendly and unapproachable. After a zillion encounters with him, he still had no idea who I was nor did he care! And, I was even on his payroll!!!!!
Keep the money flowing -- that's the motto of SEAS! Well, it's probably the motto of the Catholic Church!
Why I converted 20+ years ago escapes me today??? I only did it because I loved the rituals.
What's turning me is the holier than though routine! Do as I say and not as I do -- dah??? Preaching to us like they're the almighty so free from sin and like we are guilty, worthless human beings! All the while, they're raking in the dough, and guilty of far worse than we are doing! Shame, shame, shame.
To tell you the truth, anon on 8/29, there is a lot of truth to what you say. I met some good people at SEAS, but I also felt left out of the parish community, even though I taught Catachism. With most of the parishoners, our family was dirt, even though they did not know us.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is not the worst church in the Diocese. The Church by Charleston and Christy Ln in the Northeast area of town, is just horrible to new people. They never reached out to me or others and we soon left after a couple of months.
And like you, I enjoy the rituals and 99% of their beliefs.
I've only met Monsignor Kevin a couple of times. I know he was very busy in the Diocese because of his position and i don't want to see him brought down, unless it is for good cause.
The Diocese is not doing itself any favors by dragging this out and keeping everybody uninformed. If he didn't do anythign wrong, then say so. If he did do something, tell us and so we can get this behind us.
Bishop Pepe participated in two masses over weekend at St. Anthony. No mention of Fr. Kevin. No mention of how much money Diocese has. His message - if you want to see a church ever being built at St. Anthony, you need to open your wallets. This is your "cross to bear".
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad Fr. Kevin can't hide under the identity of Anonymous like all of you profligate Christians.....
ReplyDeleteGeorge
Whats your last name?
ReplyDeletewhoever left the Church because of their dislike of the people or priest, did not know what the Mass was about.
ReplyDeleteHey, anon, that's easy to say but hard to practice.
ReplyDeleteI tried to attend Prince of Peace on the east side of Vegas. The people were so rude to us. They wouldn't say hello to our family and at times, they didn't even shake your hand during the service.
Then we went to a st. Patricks Day dinner sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and no one said hi and we ended up sitting by ourselves. You would think, since we were new to the Church we would have had someone greet us, say hi or something. But that Church was just as cold as North Dakota in January.
So, you can com[lain about people leaving the Church, but sometimes, there are good reasons.
I might add, this is the main reason why I have not been to a Catholic Church in the Las Vegas area. The way I was treated at Prince of Peace and just a little bit less at SEAS more or less traumatized from attending a Catholic Church in the area. I still believe int he Catholic Church beliefs and I would like to attend Church again, I just don't want to go through the same crap I went through at POP and also to put my family through the crap as well.
ReplyDeleteI never found SEAS parish or it's priests to be spiritual-religious perhaps and rule makers-but far from holy. It's a cold place and MONEY is the name of the game at SEAS. I am astonished by the infantile beliefs expressed here on a faith level. Too many here identify with priests-the church is Christ and your experience of God in Christ. This is what is essential-NOT where you worship or who is in leadership. Leaders fail. I am from another State and I must say, I have never seen so many angry Catholics, or a Diocese with such a love for money. In the last 6 years here, this is what? The 5th priest to be brought into criminal or suspected criminal behavior. This is fact and in itself speaks clearly of the Catholic leadership in Las Vegas. You have problems here. People, it starts with your Bishop. He has failed all of you. McAuliffe, SEAS sources say, liked to gamble? Not gossip either. Employees say this behind his back. Confirmation. The writer above is correct. Addiction can happen to anyone. I will not be surprised if McAuliffe is in trouble. I stopped being naive a long, long time ago. The person above who said McAuliffe "built an empire" needs his head examined. What a joke!
ReplyDeleteDitto to Anonymous, September 25, 2011! You said it very well!!!
ReplyDeleteFaith is in our hearts and so is love! No building is needed for that to occur. No priest is needed to say it's there or it isn't.
Anyone can pray and they can pray at any place and at any time. No church is needed for prayer to occur.
All you have to be is a good person and treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. I'ts not rocket science.
The thought of asking for forgiveness from another person (i.e., priest) makes me sick. How can you look this person in the eye and ask for forgiveness when they have committed these kinds of wrongs???
SEAS is cold. SEAS is all about status. SEAS is all about show. The $500k crucifix says it all! SEAS is all about money.
I sometimes wondered if I'd see select pews and/or portions of the parking lot roped off for the "special people" and their "fancy cars!"
To Frankd-Ed and all the poor but good people here who had McAuliffe on a Throne, I regret this and as one who worked for the man years ago..I told you so. He is a thief. He lied to all of you on Gods Holy Altar. As for "building empires" Frank, SEAS built another one:
ReplyDeleteOur Lady of Wisdom Byzantine. I suppose all of you will deny this also? Wait..the phone is ringing..it's God..he has a message for McAuliffe Fans:
"WAKE UP!" Told you so. Vivona needs to go next. FBI now needs to audit his finances. I just saw him..he was sweating profusely. Oh, the July 13th Post above is laughable. You need help whoever you are.
Thief. Criminal. Liar. This is your Holy Man McAuliffe.
So father Kevin has a gambing problem like all humans commit sins fo all types. We should pray for people of God like him who struggle with addictions instead of throwing stones as if we were perfect. This is not about throning or being a fanatic, this is simply being forgiving as Jesus told us to be. In this type of sin, the one who hurts is the victimizer as the rest of the parish even though victims will only suffer the desilusion or anger of what he did but it is he who carries the biggest burden which is guilt.
ReplyDeleteAs far as father Vivona, relax people, relax all of you who have a hidden agenda about a priest who tells it as it is without sugar coating. I was a member of OLOW and St. Crhsitopher's before I moved and I know in person several of the Byzantine families who are very wealthy and have made gigantic donations. I also have seen the books. Father Vivona and father Kevin were roommates and very good friends. Remember that addicts lie to families and friends so it is hard to tell most of the times if that person is having a problem.
Nothing on earth is hidden until God decides to uncover it. Let us pray for a priest who even though he sinned, he also did wonderful things for the people.
"Hell is paved with priests' skulls"
ReplyDeleteSaint John Chrysostom
It is reasonable to believe that these sculls, St John is referring to, belonged to priests who abused and deceived innocent followers. No soul is transparent to anyone, only to it's Creator. Only God knows what is in the heart of a priest. No Catholic or blogger can ever know for sure. Jesus was not liked by everyone, even his own people, but he was never accused or suspected of molesting boys, hitting women, burning or stealing money from the Temple. He was not credited for building a mega church in an upscale neighborhood or building an empire. He loved children. He protected them. He loved all people; Jew or Gentile, Roman or Byzantine, man or woman. He gave everything he had to the poor. He did not steal from the poor. He did not collect treasures of the world. I could go on and on. The point is that if a priest is holy, he will be recognized for his holiness, in spite of his humanity. I have yet to read a blog, or hear a single Catholic claim the holiness of just one of the most recent cast of characters of our Sin City Diocese who have been accused or convicted; McAuliffe, Vivona, Kenny, Audette, Stoenig, Chenin, Mark?.......... I apologize if I have left anyone out. I am sure that there are many more as the Diocese has done their best to keep us in the dark. Thankfully, history has gifted us with thousands of books published (so we don't loose hope completely) describing the lives of holy men and women who can inspire us. I have yet to find an example of holiness among our priests and Bishop. There seems to be rumors and questions about most of them including the person who's duty it is to shepherd them. Again, I apologize if I left anyone out.
But there is hope. We need to stop settling and expect holiness! That will free us up to be inspired, so we will have no need to waste time defending priests that are, will be, or should be, in prison.
How many souls have our priests saved? They can't even save themselves.
Iliana, You might as well just drink the Kool-aid.
ReplyDeleteIliana above: Delusional. Yes, she should drink the Cool Aid. If she is tied to Vivona, well...if the shoe fits..let's remember McAuliffe did "wonderful" things for his Parish. It's OK Iliana that he stole and lied. You need help. He never did a damn thing that's how much you know. Wealthy benefactors built SEAS-not McAuliffe. He just happened to be there during it's growth period. He's a felon. A thief. a liar. End of story. If this was about some white guy from a civilian business firm or a black man who was addicted to drugs or gambling: you'd hang them. You are one of those types, priest groupies. Anyone associated with Vivona is missing a few screws anyway.The guy is a big mouthed, greedy, bully. Tell like it is Iliana and stop acting like you are a saint. No one is. Certainly not Vivona or McAuliffe. SEAS built OLOW. You know NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteHow do you like Father Bob Kiefer now at your parish? He was our pastor for years.
ReplyDeleteKevin McAuliffe's release date is 12/17/2014. That's slightly less than 3 months. He has been moved from the La Tuna Correctional Facility in Texas to a Residential Reentry Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is, as far as I know, suspended from the diocese of Las Vegas. Just an update as I've been watching for some time now.
ReplyDelete