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Recent Comments

1. Could someone explain why a man who has committed fraud is not being dealt with by criminal procedings? Why is this situation qualitatively no different from the sex abuse scandals which have so shaken this Church? So it is ok if somebody commits criminal acts within the institution so long as nobody reports said acts to an outside authority?
   Oops, we all make mistakes, and never serious ones if made by a cleric, or if ministry is characterised by a particularly conservative hue?

   Posted By: MJ

2. Sounds like an ongoing mental problem. There is bound to be more problems in the future. Just what we need, another crazy priest among the flock!

   Posted By: Stanley J. Harris

3. This was a crime. It was fraud. Has the money been repaid to his parishioners? He has stolen money under false pretences. Until the church realises that some sins are also crimes and deals with them accordingly, people will continue to be abused in a range of ways.

   Posted By: Jan Tully

4. Dear MJ; Succintly expressed. Most organisations with accountability processes would try to give an account of has happened to the money appropriated by this man?
   Also the secret transfer of this bloke, undoubtedly with the consent of the respective Archdioceses is directly analagous to the conduct of the church with regard to clergy accused of sexual abuse.
   In each instance, there is utter disdain for the faithful both in Five Dock and Perth.
   Business as usual for the Catholic Church.
   Les Nasser

   Posted By: Elias Nasser

5. I believe in mercy and forgiveness. I am sure Richard Abourjaily, if genuinely repentant, will find Christ's salvific mercy. However, since his formation for the priesthood is based on lies,(and I believe he missed out on a complete formation programme), then it is insane that he continues as a 'priest in good standing'. Our Bishops will answer to Almighty God for this failure to carry out their duty as shepherds of the Church. God help us.

   Posted By: Zachary Uzzone

6. It's a wonder he wasn't made a bishop!

   Posted By: William Mallet

7. William Mallet: That was priceless!

   Posted By: MJ

8. This man deceived innocent, compassionate parishioners and now has been given another chance to do it all again. It seems just a case of geography not repentance!
   Anyone who has half a brain would know that cheaters and liars would do and say anything to have the opportunity to deceive and cheat again and again. Seems to me that this man went to extraordinary lengths (I witnessed it first hand) to make people believe in his illness. He is capable of anything in my eyes.
   Not only should he have been tried as a criminal but the Church should have ex-communicated him for his acts against the Holy Spirit at the time of consecration at Masses.
   The guy was the best con-artist. He had everybody fooled.
   I know of innocent Priests who have been persecuted and isolated for standing by Church teachings. Confusion? Absolutely.

   Posted By: Rosa Peronace

9. This priest needs to see a clinical psychologist. Not only does he deceive others he deceices himself. He is unfit to be working in a parish. Once again the church is 'shifting' the problem priest.

   Posted By: BG Parry

10. Richard has not only stolen and defrauded the people of God of an enormous amount of money, but he has stolen the priesthood and ministry from the Church.
    He does not have any academic qualifications or theological formation, and it is unjust to the people and to God to have a priest who is incapable of adequately guiding them towards the person of Jesus Christ.
    If such a person can be forgiven, not rehabilitated, and not given the formation he needs before sending him back to work, then why don't we bring back all priests who have got into trouble, be it theologically, or finding they can't live celibately. At least a priest who can't live celibately (and gets married) is not dishonest, a liar, or unqualified to be a priest.
    The Church needs to look long and hard about this situation. If all that Richard has done is told a few lies, then why has it taken so long to get him back?
    The list of bishops this now involves continues to increase, with Australia's highest ranking included.

    Posted By: JS

11. Wherever you go, there you are!
    Did he undergo professional assessment, and a few years of psychotherapy?
    Spiritual Direction is not enough especially if it is given by a like-minded cleric.
    If he belongs to Sydney then he should be put back to work there, not shunted of to another Diocese. Why should they have to take him?
    There should be no special treatment for clerics; that was the genesis of our problems with pedophilia, and that is another type of fraud!

    Posted By: david anthony davies

12. Fr Abourjaily should be sent to live in a monastery as a penance; that was always the Church's method of punishing recalcitrant clergy, even Thomas Merton mentions that there was such a priest living at Gethsemani Abbey when he joined in the late '40s. So maybe Fr Abourjaily should be put to work on the diary farm at Tarrawarra!

    Posted By: Bernard Gui

13. William Mallett: Your quip cracked me up. Good one! Reminds me of that old comedian Maurie Fields and his quick, off-the-cuff, onn-the-mark beauties.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

14. It seems the church makes it own rules yet the rest of society is ruled by the law. Why was this man not charged? Did he pay back the money?

    Posted By: Jonty

15. That's what Peter said! Pack him back from whence he came. We don't need that type of spiritual support.

    Posted By: peter

16. For this priest to be brought before a court, someone needs to bring a charge against him with the police, as I understand it. So if no one brings a charge of fraudulent behaviour, then there is no court. I think one of those defrauded would have to do that, but maybe I am wrong. Does any one know?
    

    Posted By: Desmond

17. Everybody who has a chance should watch or re-watch A Bishop's Gambit from the excellent series Yes,Prime Minister. Although that was in the Anglican context, not much seems to be different in the politics that go on in Catholic chancery offices.

    Posted By: William Mallet

18. David Anthony Davies, you have it right. Obviously Richard has a serious mental health problem which is causing him to abuse the trust of others, including all the parishioners, especially those who gave him money, and his own parish priest. Not only is Fr John Flader not a mental health professional, but I'm unaware of his qualifications in spiritual direction. Only lied? No such thing as 'only' lying - and Richard also abused the our trust. I too believe in repentance and forgiveness, but it seems to me we (I was a parishioner of Five Dock) are being told to forgive when we, the victims. have seen no evidence of real repentance or of anyone taking the abuse seriously. The old, old story.

    Posted By: Joan Seymour

19. Matthew Benns, the SMH reporter, is surely scraping the bottom of the barrel when he reports on Father Richard Abourjaily's resurfacing in Perth (SMH Feb 7, 2010) The incident occurred over two years ago, and it really is time for Matthew to get over it - and tell his anonymous priestly contact (mentioned in the original article) to do likewise. If it's victims that Matthew and his mate are genuinely concerned about, may I suggest that they direct their energies into researching the real damage to the Church, orchestrated by priests who have not been faithful to the Magisterium. They have left a trail of doctrinal confusion which has caused the loss of faith of countless Catholics in Australia. Their legacy will have an effect for generations to come. Now there's a story for Matthew Benns and his secret agent.
    

    Posted By: margaret o'hagan

20. The Cardinal needs to terminate this man's priestly faculties asap before more harm and scandal are caused to others and the Church. This is not a Progressive/Conservative issue - rather, we are dealing with a genuinely delusional and sick individual. I have personally known Richard Abou-Rjaily for over 20 years. I, too, was deceived by him multiple times without realising it. The public stories only scratch the surface. I believe Fr John Flader has become the latest to be hood-winked.

    Posted By: Michael Bernard

21. William Mallet: Shame. A bishop is not the wonder; he should be made a Cardinal!

    Posted By: Francis

22. Fr Flader is sure 'he will not lie about anything serious again'. The line one would xpect from a leading Opus Dei cleric!
    Is the Rev Abourjaily an Opus Dei member too? O.P.D. members seem to believe that the usual laws cononical and others are all open to manipulation. Why Perth? Less scrutiny?

    Posted By: moses obrien

23. Spot on, JS!

    Posted By: Zachary Uzzone

24. Michael: As far as the 'victims' issue is concerned, it is not a progressive/conservative matter. It's about the absolute truth.

    Posted By: margaret o'hagan

25. Those of you who think that the 'news' story about Fr Abourjaily is actually 100% true are as foolish as the journalist who wrote it! The original story two years ago was full of half truths, loaded with suspicion and unsubstantiated claims. Nothing has changed in this story and those who know about the actual real events (very few people, as everyone else is only interested in gossip) know that this is a complete beat up and simply an attack on the Church. And to those who are ready to condemn and crucify, I think there was some guy 2000 year ago who said something about casting the first stone.

    Posted By: BT

26. I am disgusted by most of the comments left here.
    1. The Archbishops of Perth and Sydney have been maligned unjustly. Clearly, both had more information at hand in making their decisions than all the armchair theologians and canonists who have left their clearly qualified and informed diatribes here.
    2. The accusations hurled at Fr. Flader are unconscionable. The attack on his character is pernicious.
    3. Some of the comments made here verge on defamatory and should be removed for legal reasons, if not for the sake of Christian charity.
    It is ironic that many of those who are unwilling to show mercy, forgiveness, or give this priest an opportunity to make amends, will seek forgiveness in the confessional through the ministry of a priest. Priests are human, not divine, and are just as deserving of forgiveness, mercy and support as other people. Furthermore, while I agree that Fr. Abourjaily’s original actions were serious, he should be given the opportunity to make amends. This report and the comments are hardly constructive in that regard.

    Posted By: FA

27. Has Perth suddenly become a dumping ground for priests? I don't mind rebellious priests who keep the faith but... People who steal should be charged, tried, and if found guilty, must go to jail.
    We should forgive Fr Abourjaily, but confessing is not enough. He might be absolved from sin, but he cannot be allowed to walk away.

    Posted By: Collin Michael Nunis

28. What is wrong with the bishops? Did they not learn anything from the sex abuse problem? Not only does this priest need to be drfrocked, he needs to be arrested for fraud, and his bishop needs to be removed also.

    Posted By: annie

29. JS comments on Father Richard's lack of any academic qualification and theological formation. I don't know where he got it from, but Father Richard delivered some of the most inspiring and intellectual sermons I have heard in many a year and as for formation.
    I have not met another priest of Father Abourjaily's vintage with his equivalent in formation.

    Posted By: margaret o'hagan

30. This is yet another case of the SMH getting it wrong! Fr Abourjaily remains a suspended priest. His suspension has not been removed by Card Pell or Archbishop Hickey. He is resideing in a Perth Presbytery but is not serving as a priest in Perth.

    Posted By: SJC

31. 'O see how quick to condemnation are they all, with quips for stones, and not a Christ-hewn heart among them!'

    Posted By: John

32. Margaret O'Hagan: I met Richard Abourjaily when he was a seminarian. I came away thinking he was a very smooth operator!

    Posted By: Cas

33. The SMH report was wrong. Fr Richard is allowed (by Archbishop Hickey) to live in the presbytery in Perth - but he is still suspended and has no faculties. If he is doing any work in the parish, it is in defiance of his suspension. Cardinal Pell has not reinstated him at all. This is why we were not told - because it has not happened.
    
    

    Posted By: Michael Bernard

34. Margaret O'Hagan: By your fruits you will know them.
    

    Posted By: Patricia Ryan

35. It speak volumes that this infuriated priest interviewed by the SMH February 7 2010 would speak out only on the condition of anonymity.
    Imagine the pressure placed upon them if they wanted to leave the priesthood to act in accordance with their conscience.
    All this rhetoric on human rights is overwhelming.

    Posted By: L Newington

36. The Church has encountered abuses from it's very foundation in the Old Testament, which even included great clerics such as the Patriarch of Constantinople.
    The actions of priests today are no different from that of sexual abuse, in a categorical sense of sin.
    We will obviously discover that there are priests who are angry, rude, selfish .... etc .
    We must take the time to reflect on the very fact that there is no impeccability with apostolic authority; they are two separate things and are the perfect example of God's immanence.

    Posted By: George Manassa

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