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

Keep being so outrageous and UNCHRISTIAN about keeping this man out of the church. He saved me from a dark path and changed my life.

We have known Fr. Ronald Escalante since we moved to area and joined the St. Francis de Sales parish community almost four years ago. Over the past year he has been Raul's spiritual director. Fr. Escalante is a dedicated, devoted, and caring priest/pastor. Considering the fact that he was legally exonerated and there is no evidence of any wrong doing, please Bishop Burbidge return Fr. Escalante to the parish. God Bless, Raul and Denise

Please do your due diligence to bring back Fr Ronald Escalante to his parish and clear his name. And we pray that those accuser realize the mistake they had done asks for forgiveness.

I support to bring Fr Escalante back to St. Francis de Sales.

I believe Father Escalante is being treated unfairly and we need him back at St. Francis. It seems ridiculous that this has been going on so long.

Praying for Father Escalante to return.

Bishop Burbidge, you have been a great shepherd for your people; please now stand up for one of your own pastors, Fr. Escalante, falsely accused and attacked, and restore him to his proper ministry!

The Code of Canon Law, canon 212.3 states,  "Christ's faithful have the right, and, indeed, sometimes the duty, according to their knowledge, competence, and dignity, to manifest to the sacred pastors their judgment about those things which pertain to the good of the Church." 

I have known Father Escalante since he was a teenager. He is an all around good person and a very good priest. He should be returned to his parish as soon as possible.

God sees and knows... everything. Let us remain upright and prayerful to obtain our Heavenly Fathers blessings. In the meantime, we must speak with dollar signs for attention to be gained in the Church. Sad but true. “Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops, like bishops, and your religious act like religious.” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, 1972 )

Please return Fr. Escalante to our parish swiftly. Amen.

We are praying for Fr. Escalante's swift return to his ministry and ours.

Praying for the return of Father Escalante. Our parish and our children need him.

Father Escalante is a God fearing, God loving, Man of God. Who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord & preaching his word! Please reinstate the innocent man! Don't let Satan win this battle! Satan is the Great Deciver. He is trying to ruin this man's life! Please don't let him win!

The way the Catholic church and specifically the Arlington Archdiocese has handled this is an absolute disgrace. To allow Fr. Escalante to dangle in the wind for all these months after a criminal investigation cleared him is abominable. I realize that the church has different standards, but it appears as though it just wants to let it linger in hopes it will disappear in the eyes and minds of parishioners who want justice. If there is something Fr. Escalante did wrong, release the details. Otherwise, bring him back to the folks who love and need him. The Archdioceses knows full well that not clearing him means destroying his reputation forever. I can't stress enough how disappointed I am with the church in the way they have handled this. Either bring him back or tell us why you won't!

Shame on those who lie and try to ruin someone’s life. Honesty and transparency are so important in the environment we now live in. Find out the facts and follow the direction they lead you.

I am appalled by the Archdiocese's handling of this investigation, and your 5/4/19 letter to the parish in no way helps. Your letter implies that our skepticism towards the accusations "will deter others from reporting their experience of abuse to the Church." Not only does this statement imply that Father Escalante has engaged in abusive behavior (an allegation without any legal basis, per local law enforcement), it puts the blame for future abuse scandals on us, the parishioners. Really? Our skepticism about your investigation will prevent future abuse victims from coming forward?!? The bottom line - Father was framed by an employee who was stealing money that WE parishioners donated to the church. Now there are "others" alleging inappropriate behavior? I simply don't buy it. Attendance and donations at SFDS are WAY down - you are losing your flock. Father Escalante is an honorable and holy man. We want him back as pastor at SFDS.

7 years ago Featured

Fr Escalante is a wonderful priest and has worked tiresly for St Francis. He has done an outstanding job of pulling the parish together and building Our Lady of Victory Hall and rebuilding the Church. We are praying that he returns to St Francis.

As a catholic I am appalled that this has happened. I would hope the church reinstates him immediately in light of the overwhelming evidence that is in Father Escalantes favor. These parishioners should be held accountable for their lies and false accusations against him, and they should be kicked out of the church!

I think it would be a good idea to let this amazing Father back into the church!