Keep Father Paulo as a permanent priest at St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis
- Target:
- Catholic Diocese of Fall River
- Region:
- United States of America
As you are aware, following the Vatican II, a diocese was highlighted as an important and essential part of relationships. The described relationships that are mostly a concern for us here are those between the diocesan bishop, parish priests and the people entrusted to their pastoral care. As described and highlighted on the document: A diocese is described as "a community of the faithful entrusted to the pastoral care of the diocesan bishop, with the help of priests" ("Christus Dominus," 11; see also "Pastores Gregis," 47, and Canon 369). The relationship between the diocesan bishop and his priests is at the service of the faithful. Bishops and priests together share in the pastoral care of the Christ's faithful and must collaborate for the good of souls. Sadly, we were forced to conclude that your Excellency’s continued silence may be interpreted by many as a charge of negligence in the exercise your duty of confirming your brethren in the faith and directly solve the matter disclosed to you many times in the past.
Therefore, as a community, we demand the act of Justice, in the process of our parish priest demanding the return of father Paulo Barbosa to his daily pastoral activities immediately. Additionally, we request the full extension of his labor, pastoral and community leader rights to address the need of the community. According to the above document our request must be heard to assure the overall good of this Church Parish and the Brazilian community of Cape Cod.
As a proud Catholics, active St. Francis and Xavier of Hyannis parish members and a concerned citizens, we wish to express one more time my profound gratitude and full support for the courageous initiative of Father Paulo Barbosa of as he has respectfully shared with many of us, parish members the based for his decision to write you a letter requesting better support for actively performing his services and asking for clarification on why there are many differences among the Brazilian priests compared to the current American priests in our parish. I have to confess that I was extremely disappointed with your decision in having a different priest formally disclose Father Paulo's last day in our parish. As you aware, many of us have been trying to contact you and received no response. As I listen to your justification, I was shocked that you used only the last sentences of Father Paulo's letter to justify your decision and chose to totally ignored or address the reported issues in our parish so well described by Father Paulo in his letter. Please be assured of the St. Francis Xavier community prayers for your recognition of an immediate intervention need is in place, especially at this time. However, the community already has started to notify the media and other organization regarding a failure of your decision and will not hesitate to advocate for what is right and just by looking to find all measures available to solve the presented problems and the basic needs rights of father Paulo as brought to your attention in his letters. May we remain united in our Lord Jesus Christ and ever dependent on His divine mercy and infinite love.
Sincerely in Christ,
St. Francis Xavier Brazilian Community Parishioners
Hyannis, MA 02601
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The Keep Father Paulo as a permanent priest at St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis petition to Catholic Diocese of Fall River was written by Raffaella Almeida and is in the category Religion at GoPetition.