Danny Colla
PMB 2 Mail Center
GEELONG VIC 3221

Bishop Denis Hart
St Patricks Cathedral
East Melbourne VIC 2002
Facsimile: 03 9926 5698

24 October 2001

Dear Eminence

I have lived in the Meredith parish for many years now, and I assist at Mass on almost a daily basis if it possible for me to do so. Father John, unfortunately does not take too kindly to me. I have in the past, and even to this very day, received Our Lord sacramentally kneeling and on the tongue. Father does not approve of this practice at all and makes it plainly known. He has, however up until the recent past, allowed me the right to faithfully maintain this practice. I commend him for this.

In the past, I have asked for his assistance in spiritual matters on numerous occasions only to be met with complete and utter silence, presumably due to his dislike of me. He disappoints me greatly as a priest in that I should be able to look to him as a shepherd, a guide, ‘the salt of the earth’. Rather, it seems to me that he would rather be among the flock and offering no real direction at all, at least not to family or myself when we have needed it the most. I thank God that I do not have a fragile faith, as I am sure I would now have lost it due to Father John’s past inaction.

Unfortunately, when it comes to me, and other members of my family, Father John’s ‘charity’ does not even extend to a cordial greeting on arrival at church. This seems to be the case with anyone who disagrees with his ‘methods’ of tending his flock. Father seems to maintain a long and drawn out grudge once you have crossed his path, hardly the example of one who is meant to be the guiding light. It is unfortunate that he does not seem to realise that the everyday laymen will and does see right through this incredible hypocrisy. The most damaging effect of this is that it scandalises souls.

By no means do I think being a priest in today’s world an easy task, and I am in no way attempting to criticize Father John nor do I wish to bring him any harm. I pray for his immortal soul daily so that he will be able to fulfil his vocation according to God’s Divine Will. However, I openly criticize his actions when what I know and believe it is against the True Faith and practices of the Church, and particularly when it scandalises other souls who attend Mass.

Last Friday, October 19^th, I was denied Holy Communion by my own parish priest at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lethbridge. The reason this has come about is simply outrageous.

A week prior to this unfortunate incident, Father John had decided, in his wisdom, that the pews in the church should be rearranged, allegedly to attract more people to Mass. This is in itself a noble thing to want to do, however, the means of bringing it about has no foundations that I can see. The pews, instead of facing the tabernacle and the alter, now face the opposite sides so that the people are facing each other during Mass. This is extremely distracting as I am basically forced to look at others, and in effect takes away from my concentration on the Mass. Something which I consider ridiculous to say the least. Apart from that, the lectern is now placed at the entrance to the church. I made it quite known to Father John that I disagreed with this by doing as I have always done, faced the tabernacle throughout the entire Mass. And to add to it, Father John has also allegedly obtained approval to do so by you yourself Eminence.

Upon entering the church to commence Mass, Father John spoke aloud saying that anyone who did not participate as a member of the community, in other words, by standing in the pews and not facing the tabernacle, that they would be refused Holy Communion. As it so happens, noticing that others of my family who also expressed their disapproval were refused Communion, I did not proceed to the alter to receive but made a spiritual communion instead.

As far as I am aware, I am a baptised Catholic in good standing, I am not a public sinner nor am I excommunicated, therefore I do not believe that there are any grounds upon which this should occur.

As my bishop, I respectfully turn to you for guidance in this matter as I submit myself to the authority of the Church. If there are grounds for this to occur, please point it out to me, but if there are not, what is to become of this scandalous situation? I make it quite clear to you that I have not changed the manner in which I have assisted at Mass, and did not alter it even when Father John made the changes to the pews. Therefore, why now should Holy Communion be withheld? It just does not make any sense at all. Am I wrong to continue to do so? Am I wrong to wish not to offend Our Lord wholly and truly present in the tabernacle by turning from Him in irreverence? Am I wrong to want to give all the respect that is owed to Him alone? Am I wrong to raise an objection to Father John’s scandalous behaviour? Am I wrong in seeking direction from you Eminence when there is a lack of it from my own priest?

Your Eminence, where do I stand in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church? I need to know one way or the other as this situation just seems to be getting worse by the day. I ask this not only for myself, but also for the other souls who attend Mass who witness this outrageous act each time Communion is denied. These souls have unanswered questions also and I am sure that their souls are the most in danger. I look to you in humility and await your gracious response.

May God Bless you at all times, and may the Holy Spirit guide you to always uphold the Truths of the Church.

Yours in Jesus Christ