Support for priest

I’m appalled at the May 28 article Amid ‘slanderous gossip,’ pastor is asked to resign, reporting the problems at St. Rose of Lima parish. Its pastor, Father Pedro Corces, is one of the most enlightened and spiritual priests of our archdiocese.

As a former theology teacher at another Immaculate Heart of Mary-run school, I have known and worked with this inspiring priest. Has anyone checked with the IHM mother house as to why they are retiring their nuns? It is a well-known fact that many religious orders are short on nuns, who now represent less than 3 percent of the staff at Catholic schools. Therefore, some orders have redeployed their resources to other ministries.

Jesus surrounded himself with prostitutes and tax collectors in order to save them. Could not Father Corces, a compassionate man, have hired such people, considered undesirable by some, for janitorial posts to give them a chance for decent jobs? Is it sinful to have a meal with them as Jesus did?

The members of Christifidelis are the ones who aren’t familiar with the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Kudos to Archbishop Thomas Wenski for supporting this priest.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 8:15 PM with the headline "Support for priest."