In Priest Psych Unit: Part 1, I gave an introduction to what happens to Catholic priests who are sent to psychological behavioral centers. Some men request a sabbatical there. But other priests (usually the conservative ones) are sent there by a bishop to break them of their orthodoxy (usually hung on the red-herring of “rigorism” or “scrupulosity.”)
Today, I interview a priest in the latter category. In the below interview, he will go by the pseudonym of “Fr. Paul.” However, he is a friend of mine and he is a priest from a different diocese who was sent away for “treatment.”
Before this interview, let me give a brief legal notice: If the mental health center described by Fr. Paul in this article would like to attempt a lawsuit of libel against either of us for this interview, go for it. Be our guest. We are confident in our publication below for at least two reasons. Firstly, Fr. Paul and I will able to prove everything in this interview. Secondly, we have discovery on our side. We would remind you that “discovery” grants that our civil attorneys, even those working on a defense case, have access to the files of the opposing team. That includes all the files of the criminal Catholic priests who have been through your corrupt system.
Fr. David: Even though we are keeping you anonymous, can you tell us a little bit about being ordained as a mainstream diocesan priest before you were a traditionalist?
Fr. Paul: During my seminary years and my short time in priestly ministry, I was beloved by the faithful in my diocese and had many priest friends. I was seen by many as a bright hope for the future of the Catholic Church in the Southern United States. I considered myself part of the movement in the seminary at the time, “To restore the Sacred.” I would say that I was a charismatic conservative, and I was too trusting and naive that the institutional apparatuses of the Church were altruistic.
Fr. David: When were you asked by your diocese to go from active ministry to a psychological care center for priests? To which center were you sent? Why?
Fr. Paul: I was told to go St. John Vianney Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I was sent there only 9 weeks after my priestly ordination. Without getting into the details of why that was the case, I trusted my bishop that this was the only way I could show good faith and obedience to my superiors given the circumstances. I trusted that they had my best interest in mind as much as well as their own. My intention was to “do what I was told” and then be admitted back into priestly ministry at the end of this exercise in obedience to my bishop. Even though my bishop warned me before I went, “there are no guarantees, and this is very serious,” I still had certain hope that I was to remain a priest and go back into ministry. From the start, there was no other option in my mind that I was not going to be allowed back into public ministry.
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