Fr. Francis Mary Stone takes leave of absence to discern vocation

[fin]

LOTR was definitely one of the major factors that I became interested in the Faith, an instrument God used, and of course, EWTN at large.

I was watching another channel , waiting for LOTR to start. I clicked Jump, then I saw Fr. Mark reading the letter. I was really surprised. I wasn't able to hear to beginning of the letter, so I didn't know what it was all about. I watched the replay hours later, so I finally knew.

I was thinking about this often after hearing the news. All these thoughts came into my mind. Why would Fr. Francis apologize? Was it something bad? Fr. Mark and Anthony looked and sounded so somber. It was so different.

Another thing, just this week, maybe during Wednesday, I went to the EWTN website. I wanted to listen to the past LOTR shows.

I couldn't find the recent ones. I just realized later that ALL episodes hosted by Fr. Francis Mary was deleted. Shucks. And there's a lot that I want to listen again to.

His picture on the website was also deleted? WHy?

My feelings? Weird &

I am praying for him.

[Shoshana]

By the way guys, you are on Spiritdaily.com!!!!

[chicago]

Originally Posted by fin

I couldn't find the recent ones. I just realized later that ALL episodes hosted by Fr. Francis Mary was deleted. Shucks. And there's a lot that I want to listen again to.

His picture on the website was also deleted? WHy?

I can understand them taking down his picture, as he is no longer a part of the network. I wish that they would not have removed his episodes, however. Certainly, they have a lot to offer in what was genuine ministry. All remembrance of him can not be erased nor can they simply move on by taking this away and pretending as if it never existed. It has to be taken for what it is, in proper context and honestly acknowledged for the greater good.

[nonsumd]

I join with everyone in praying for Fr. Francis Mary, for his fellow brothers, for EWTN, and, yes, for the woman with whom Father has become involved.

But I would also ask that we also pray for all the Catholics, especially our young Catholics, who may have their faith shaken by this news -- and for the non-Catholics who watch LOTR, that they may not be turned away from Catholicism or from Christianity or from belief in God or from striving to live moral lives by this news.

It was good for ETWN to be up front about what Fr. Francis is going through. I myself do not wish to speculate beyond what was announced. Fr. Francis has become emotionally attached to a widow he has been counseling, and this attachment has made him question what his vocation truly is. It is right that he should take time off from his public ministry to re-consider his vocation.

I prefer to assume that he has "crossed the line" only in his heart and that he is showing wisdom and self-honesty in withdrawing himself from public ministry at this time. The temptation to keep up appearances must be overwhelming for someone so much in the public eye.

What I hope we can all learn or relearn from all this is that we should not hang our faith on any celebrity, on any personality, save that of Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

In my parish, we have a wonderful pastor, and we all feel so grateful to be blessed to have him. Sometimes I wonder to myself how horrible it would be if this inspirational priest were involved in some scandal, I wonder how many of his "fans" would drop the Church if their hero "dropped the ball," as it were.

But when I worry myself over such a scenario, I remind myself that my faith in Christ and in the Church He founded is not based on the conduct of the sinners who make up the Church and for whom the Church was made: it is founded on Him who was like us in all things but sin. I think of myself and of how far I fall short of what I believe and indeed of what I preach to others through my words.

May we all be strengthened in our faith, however all this turns out. Father Francis, we are praying for you!

Laudetur!

[Charlesartiste]

Time will heal the wound inflicted on the Friars. The leaders of EWTN have knowledge that we do not have and have taken the actions they feel appropriate for the moment. The Friars and the EWTN network are probably in the same 'shock' as we are.

Remember Father Francis Stone did not become a priest over night or on the spur of a moment. Nor did he become a Friar in a short quick manner. Years of discernement usually pass before a man or for that matter a woman are allowed to pronounce vows.
Years usually pass before a man is allowed the awsome priviledge of priesthood.

Not only are the actions of Father Stone shocking, they are intensely shocking because he was a television personality to boot.

I am sure his discernment is simply or complicatingly mind boggling one of whether he will remain a Friar and a Priest.
His vow (covenant) relationship is injured but can be healed.

One person wrote he can "simply rescind his vow." I was so shocked by the statement. A simple perusal of scripture reveals that covenants with God are not 'simply rescinded.' There is a process to end active priesthood granted by Mother Church but one must do it correctly and appropriately. Then the Vatican decides the answer as to 'rescinding' a vow or priesthood.

Remember the Church is a hospital for sinners not a museum for saints only.
Pray for all priest.

[Mike King]

Dear Father Francis I write to you as a person who has too many times been ruled by my emotions. All of us in our small Lay Missionary Movement here in Slovakia www.redletterkids.com are absolutely devasted by hearing your news. For us and for thousands maybe millions you are a roll model in a world which is ruled by emotions instead of allowing God to rule. I wept for this situation this morning as we said the Rosary together pleading with our Mother to pray strongly for your return. Please Father Francis reconsider and stay faithful to your Priestly calling. In the long run i.e. eternity you will reap such a great reward for returning to your vows. We will continue to hold you up in our prayers remebering the story of the Prodigal Son and the great joy there was when he returned. I would love to see you reinstated and maybe a much wiser and more humble person than ever before. From all 17 of us we sayWE LOVE YOU Come back home!!!

[SeekerJen]

Originally Posted by fin

I couldn't find the recent ones. I just realized later that ALL episodes hosted by Fr. Francis Mary was deleted. Shucks. And there's a lot that I want to listen again to.

That is indeed strange. I wonder if he requested that they be removed, or perhaps the demand for his old episodes was too high and EWTN didn't have the bandwidth so they pulled them.

[Pani Rose]

Originally Posted by Shoshana

By the way guys, you are on Spiritdaily.com!!!!

Yep, just saw that myself
while I was reading spiritdaily.com

Guess we will get some new CAF readers & members
WELCOME!

God bless you all

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by Mike King

Dear Father Francis I write to you as a person who has too many times been ruled by my emotions. All of us in our small Lay Missionary Movement here in Slovakia www.redletterkids.com are absolutely devasted by hearing your news. For us and for thousands maybe millions you are a roll model in a world which is ruled by emotions instead of allowing God to rule. I wept for this situation this morning as we said the Rosary together pleading with our Mother to pray strongly for your return. Please Father Francis reconsider and stay faithful to your Priestly calling. In the long run i.e. eternity you will reap such a great reward for returning to your vows. We will continue to hold you up in our prayers remebering the story of the Prodigal Son and the great joy there was when he returned. I would love to see you reinstated and maybe a much wiser and more humble person than ever before. From all 17 of us we sayWE LOVE YOU Come back home!!!

Hello, Mike...Just went to your website at redletterkids...and found it so interesting and INSPIRING! Very open and honest testimony, too! Suffice to say, this may be one of the first positive things to have come out of this (Fr. Francis') sad, sad situation - i.e., knowledge of your group's evangelical work - and hopefully donations to help you in Slovakia and wherever else you may go. Romans 8:28 ALWAYS prevails!!!
I know your prayers, and those of the beautiful children, will help Fr. Francis!
We must all PRAY very, very, very, seriously for a GOOD and proper decision by Father, and hopefully soon.
By the way, if you haven't read the letter from the woman in Japan (VerOnica) - or also the one in Australia - on this thread, then I encourage you to do so. SO excellent! I think it shows us what a far-reaching positive effect EWTN, and LOTR is having across the whole world!!!
Fr. Francis is missed - His ministry will hopefully continue somewhere, somehow, to youth - and old folks like me!
God bless you all.

[chicago]

Originally Posted by SeekerJen

That is indeed strange. I wonder if he requested that they be removed, or perhaps the demand for his old episodes was too high and EWTN didn't have the bandwidth so they pulled them.

While I, obviously, can't comment upon their reasons here, history has shown that they tend to pull programs involving any sort of controversial statements or persons from their online archives. It would appear that this is just a continuance of that practice.

[mary12]

Sad news. Even if he wanted them to read the letter, they should only have announced a leave of absence to discern vocation, not the reason, in my opinion. It is no sin to fall in love, priest or not, only an opportunity for sacrifice. It would be wrong to break chastity. And wrong not to avoid occasions of sin. But we don't know if any of those happened. We should all pray for him. EWTN gave opportunity for scandal where none needed to be given.

[BIGFATSINNER]

Pax Christi!!! John Paul II made a comment on priests leaving their vocation saying "God does not take back what He gives". Fr. Francis Mary will eventually experience this. My mother was a widow and we grew up benefitting from the special grace God reserves for widowed mothers and their children. We're all here to learn humility--yes, even those on EWTN. I'm sure the prayers of uncountable faithful of EWTN will cause God to shower all involved with His Grace. It will be interesting to see if the secular media carries this story at all. The last thing the enemy wants is more public awareness of the existence of EWTN ! Once again, the Almighty will draw good out of chaos. Worry about nothing, is She not Our Mother!!!

[Gala]

Now that another poster mentioned it, revealing details in the letter did seem to give it a sense of finality. Who knows why EWTN chose to handle things the way they did, but I know for a fact that much prayer and discernment went into their decision.

I'm in the process of converting to Catholicism and don't have the knowledge that other posters do, and anyway, I am the biggest, fattest sinner of all (so there!). Please don't take offense at my uneducated and clumsy remarks. But I was abashed by Father Anthony's excellent homily of the November 2 Mass in which, with his trademark gentle humor, he reminded us to avoid succumbing to the temptation of gossip. It certainly hit home.

It is a difficult time for all involved. All I can do is pray for everyone who is affected by the situation. Peace to all, and enjoy your weekend.

[marymol]

Is it not amazing how God is already using this ...

Here are people from all over the world - in a house of mourning ....

In this month of Nov. when we esp. remember and celebrate death and sainthood ...purification .....departure of loved ones ...all the times when persons who were to be there, could have been there also departed .....or did not care ....

All the prayers being raised , even if only in inexpressible groanings ....The Spirit, sighing Abba ....and He is there ...

The One Rock that would satisfy all our hunger....and all these temporary pains only urging us forward ..to that One Truth ...

that He Is our Father ...

Times of purification .... may be of repentance ...that any Father figure would be given the respect and reverence ...esp. those such as Bishops ...even if they seem fallen like Father Noah ....that any bit of scornfulness towards such anointed is against God's own Sacredness , who has anointed them ....

That any glorification of values of the world against the supreme gift of Priesthood is a foundational defect that has to be torn down and rebulit ....

Our Lord has revealed through the diary of Divine Mercy , how the grace for the faithful flow when we relate to the priests as Father figures .....

And how it wounds His Heart ( may be because He knows that such sinful traits are going to wound us , His beloved children when esp. persons such as nuns and priests cast even one glance at others that is against the roles and faithfulness called for their total relaionship ....and His Promise that His yoke is light and the burden not heavy ....may be when it is that of a child , in its Father's arms...gazing at the Mercy and Goodness of that Father ...who shares so much with us ...


Can see how this incident is probabaly already helping many to search their own ways ..and bringing repentance....for the tremedous joy it brings , to heaven ...

May that Father coninue to pour out His Mercy ...and win hearts

There is the promise of The Divine Mercy Feast , where the Father's Mercy is esp. procalimed ...and promised ... to recieve graces like that of in a Baptism ...

Yes, He can make all things new ...

Today , The church celebrate the Feast of St. Martin De Poress -who was also a friend of St.Rose of Lima - a holy virgin ; may their prayers help us all from the slavery of passions , of vain glory ...to experience our true poverty ,and of dependance on God , at every moment ...

[mags99]

[QUOTE
I am truly sorry of the impact this may have on so many. I am not unaware of the gravity and magnitude of the situation, yet after much wise counsel, it is really something that I must deal with now for the good of all.

With that said, it is best that I deal with it away from EWTN. Therefore, I have asked for and graciously been granted some extended time to prayerfully discern my vocation.

To those who are part of the EWTN family locally, and others throughout the world, especially all those who have supported me so faithfully in my priestly vocation and ministry here on Life on the Rock, I sincerely apologize. I ask for your prayers and understanding during this time that is so very difficult, but yet so very necessary.

Please lift me up in your humble prayers to Jesus through Mary, our Mother, in Grace and Mercy.

Fr Francis Mary, MFVA [/quote]

We really have no right to judge Fr. Francis or the widow. None of us have walked in their very same shoes.

This letter sounds like someone who is experiencing much pain and remorse, letting his family down.

Let us humbly pray that God's will be done and continue to love these people in our hearts.

I am going to Medjugorje soon and will joyfully offer up my prayers for this situation.