Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are you?
- We are active parishioners just like you. We love the community of St. Peter's and believe the faithful of our parish have been blessed by the presence of a holy priest in the person of Fr. Ian. We believe it is an injustice to our community that he has been asked to leave early by our pastor.
- How many of you are there?
- There are many who have contributed to this website! Some have donated their technical expertise, others their ability to write, others their research, some have given their ideas, and then, there are people like you who use the site and ask questions prompting more information to be added.
- Why didn't you sign your name?
- We didn't sign our names because this is not about us. We want the focus to stay on the issue.
- Did Father Ian approve of this website?
- The website was set up without Fr. Ian's knowledge. He has not interfered in our endeavor to get the truth out. We are merely exercising our right to free speech, which is valued so much in our country.
- The diocese is on the verge of approving the full amount of construction costs for our new church. Won't writing him letters affect the outcome of his decision for the building?
- We must keep our hearts and minds on the eternal. Which issue has an eternal consequence? The building is secondary to justice and truth.
- Should we withhold our weekly contributions?
- This is a personal decision on your part and requires prayer. Many people who have contacted this site are doing just that. If you feel you are called to withhold funds, it is important to let the pastor know why you are doing it, otherwise he may not make the connection between this issue and the drop in donations. Just a quick note in the collection basket will do.
- Why does the Bishop's office say, "Fr. Ian is on sabbatical and the diocese does not deal with this…it is up to the individual parishes. Go to Fr. Kaicher with your concerns."
- This response is puzzling to those who spoke to the Chancellor early on. At that time he said that they needed letters in order to do anything. The Bishop should certainly have an interest in helping us seek justice because "In governing their dioceses, bishops must take the good of the Lord's flock as their main objective." (Christus Dominus 25 § 1) If he chooses not to act we do have the right to appeal to Rome via the Nuncio in Washington, DC.
- Is Father Ian a priest in good standing?
- Yes! He is a priest in good standing in his diocese. As is usually the case, there are documents on file to substantiate the fact. There are also documents on file from our Bishop allowing him to preach in this diocese. If you hear otherwise, quickly correct the person making the statement and remind them that slander is a sin.
- Wasn't Father Ian's only here to help while Fr. Mel and Fr. Charles recovered from their surgeries?
- It was a two year process to get Fr. Ian here for his sabbatical. Fr. Mel's and Fr. Charles' surgeries are not related to Fr. Ian's time here with us. To imply that it is, obscures the truth.
- What is Modernism?
- "A working definition of Modernism: (1) the heresy that holds that the Catholic religion, its faith and morals, must be brought up to date in the modern world. (2) All revealed doctrines are called into question (skepticism), many of them denied. Modernism results in a loss of grace, which breeds even more skepticism and a further loss of grace." [Rev. Paul A. Wickens, Christ Denied (TAN, 1982) 10] Also see the Catholic Answers website, www.catholic.com, and type the word "modernism" into their search box for a list of articles giving a quick overview and history.