Bishop Burbidge, Bring Father Escalante back to Saint Francis de Sales Parish NOW

My brother, Father Ron Escalante, was removed from his Church due to a lie. The facts have all been presented to law enforcement and the Diocese of Arlington. He needs to be reinstated ASAP.

Bring him home

Father Escalante has been a true shepherd to his Parish Family at Saint Francis de Sales. He deserves to be redeemed and restored to this parish that he has done so much for. In this month of our Blessed Mother, may the diocese turn to Mother Mary and swiftly recognize the lapse in fair and just policies and respond to its own parishioners just as fast as they responded to the Blue Ridge Leader Newspaper (gasp!) the other day. My goodness. How swift they were with their response! Why so quick to denounce the article? It sounded pretty accurate to me!

I believe Fr. Escalante to be a good and faithful priest. Please bring him back to us.

Please bring Father Escalante home to us!!! Our families and gods children miss him dearly!!!

We of the Catholic Laity have a responsibility in these times like never before to voice our collective pleas for fair and just oversight for situations involving these types of allegations. I respectfully ask for a review and re-evaluation of the facts gleaned from the investigation concerning this incident.

Fr. Escalante is a gift to the parish and the church. He needs to come home now!

After all the things that have been done to him, He deserves to come back and have his life back.

Father Escalante is a wonderful holy priest.

I am writing on behalf of father Ronald Escalante. Although, I understand the  hesitation involved, in light of recent events concerning priestly inappropriate behavior... in this case, it is clearly unfounded.   I have known Father as long as he's been at St. Francis.  He has united this parish, as no other before him. I joined the parish in 1985. My husband and I have 4 children educated in CCD at St Francis. As a result, their understanding of our faith is profound. However, as with all people, actions speak louder than words.  This brings me to Father Escalante. Each mass, his homily is prefaced by describing local events that affect the youth and the church as a whole. He can be seen all over Purcellville... parades, ball games, town fairs or any other community affair. He is known well, by not just parishioners, but all those around him. He is simply the best example of a life lived for others My husband and I had moved from the area to about 10 miles away. Our children were grown and it was time to relocate. Although my parish is 5 minutes from my current home I still frequently go back to Saint Francis just to go to mass by Father.  My husband, of 50 years, began to suffer from dementia and I lost him in early 2017. My husband was not Catholic although he attended mass regularly with our family. I was no longer a member of Father Escalante's parish. In the end my husband was hospitalized and 2 days before he passed away Father Escalante drove 45 minutes to the hospital to pray with me and to bless my husband .... This is one of the very best examples I can use to illustrate, to you, how this man cares.  When I first heard the accusations..... I was heartbroken because things like this can never be unsaid. I knew there was no way that this could ever be true....as it has been proven to not be.  I can also guarantee you, from the bottom of my soul, Father Escalante could have avoided all of this by simply giving in to the people who were t

Please, Bishop Burbidge, allow Father Escalante to return to his flock! Clearly he is innocent of the charges brought against him, and yet he remains in exile, while those behind the malicious scheme are still free (and in one case, still working at the parish – and with children!). I have worked with Father Escalante for almost four years and can vouch for his good and moral character. There is NO REASON why he was not returned to his parish months ago. The diocese was so quick to let the public know of the accusations, but where is the press release acknowledging Father Escalante’s innocence? He has done so much for our diocese – why is the diocese not supporting its own priest?

Praying for his return and that his good name is cleared. The scurrilous slander perpetrated by a couple of parishioners is unconscionable and the dioceses actions of pretending like there is some sort of real abuse investigation ongoing is gravely wrong. The professionals at the sheriffs office cleared Father in hours but yet the diocese has not cleared him in five months? Politics, not justice seems to be the MO here. I've been hoping and praying that it is otherwise and that they will do the right thing, but my hope is fading. Note to the diocese: Transparency and communication go a long way. It's unfortunate that it has come to this.

Praying for his swift return and full restoration.

Father Escalante has played a vital role in the development of all of our children. He has baptized all 6 of our grandchildren. We need Father back at Saint Francis. He is our spiritual leader

The truth is now overwhelming of father's innocence. Time to bring father back home to SFDS.

I have sent emails, a letter and repeated calls for the Bishop to please return. I have not heard from the Bishop. I sincerely hope, with our Lords Mercy, Father Escalante be returned to our parish

Please, I pray bring him back.

Fr Escalante deserves to return to his parish, exonerated by the bishop. Shame on the group of individuals who violated the 8th commandment in order to get a good and holy man placed on leave.