PETITION IN SUPPORT OF FR. JOHN M. DUFFY

We should demand our Priest back! Bring back Father John Duffy!! http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/02/03/aurora-parishioners-want-their-suspended-priest-back.html

Father John Duffy is a great priest who had a profound impact on the community during his time at Sacred Heart in Uxbridge. He opened his door to all, led by example and was truly a pillar of strength and faith. It is with great sadness that I recently learned of his suspension. I am baffled as to how this could have have unfolded? I read Father John's final address to the parishioners at Sacred Heart where he stood up in front of all and explained in detail what had transpired over the past few years leading up to his "suspension". His heartfelt farewell shook me to my core. I waited to hear the Archdiocese of Toronto's position before commenting as there are always two sides to the story. After reading their statement dated July 18th, 2015 I am left scratching my head. "We are working with Father Duffy to provide the financial and pastoral support he needs. We are grateful for his many contributions both to the Sacred Heart community and in his previous assignments". Really? How? By bullying him? By attempted strong arm tactics? By abandonment? The Archdiocese of Toronto's hollow written statement has failed to shed an ounce of light on their harsh treatment of Father John. However their actions speak volumes! Shame on those at the Archdiocise of Toronto who have put their own political agendas ahead of foot soldiers of God like Father John Duffy and others like him. And for those in the Archdiocise standing by silently while witnessing these injustices, I pray that they may find the strength to speak out against such acts. God bless you, Father John Duffy. You are in my thought and prayers. Sean Morrison Barrie, Ontario

We have known Fr. John Duffy before he was ordained. We came to know him when he was made Pastor of our Parish . St.Thomas More Parish. Fr. Duffy was a very good friend of our Family and also celebrated our daughter's Wedding Mass. He also celebrated our first Grandson John's Baptism. He also helped lots of people in their needs. We also attended his Ordination at St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto and attended his Party in his parents backyard. Party was well attended by lots of Parishioner's and Knight's of Columbus and everybody had a good time. We cannot believe what we reading about him on the emails we have received. When he was Pastor of our Parish young and old liked him and supported him every occasion he organised. We cannot understand as to where he gone wrong and what he done wrong.. Cajetan & Cecilia Gonsalves

Disgraceful and hypocritical of the archdiocese to preach catechism of love and faith on one hand yet practice hatred and turn their back on a good Christian. There is no reverence in the Catholic Church today if this is allowed to happen. It is a business that preys on emotional blackmail and harassment of a few bitter and selfish parishioners. Reinstate Father John Duffy now or at least compensate him for his years of service. We attended a funeral which Fr Duffy said mass over. My wife is of the Zoroastrian faith (look it up). She listened to Fr Duffy throughout the mass and had nothing but respect and praise for him. She said he makes you want to engage in a spiritual conversation with him. That you could talk to him about anything without fear of shame, ridicule, judgement. I will no longer contribute nor encourage others to contribute to the Archdiocese of Toronto's fund raising campaigns. Treat this man fairly and as a fellow Christian.

I have always known Father Duffy to be a good and welcoming pastor in our church and school community.

It is truly sad, and justice must be served. We must fight and not allow satan to win.

I only know Father John by his reputation as a caring and involved leader of the church . It amazes me that this series of events lead to his Suspension . I pray for him and admire his courage of conviction to clear his good name

I did not sign this Petition which was initially labeled as TEST, pending, and blank until after I read Alban Mendonca’s audacious comments on http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/statement-from-archdiocese-of-toronto.html. He gave a very confident personal comment about Fr. Duffy, and a daring comment about his Cardinal. But what shocked me was Mr. Mendonca's revelation of the 9 million dollars the Archdiocese is paying the one-man consulting company the Archdiocese hired for the Family of Faith Campaign. 9 MILLION IS NOTHING, just a drop in the bucket compared to the total amount the Archdiocese had raised. But that 9 million is the COMBINED SWEAT and BLOOD of each average household! What a hefty price to pay for the Family of Faith slogan “TO LOVE GOD and TO SHOW THAT LOVE BY SERVING OTHERS”. I’d like to quote Fr. Scott Lewis’ thoughts for next Sunday’s (Aug. 23) readings and Psalm which appeared in the Aug. 16-23 issue of the Catholic Register: “FIDELITY to GOD is MORE THAN LIP-SERVICE - it must go hand in hand with JUSTICE, MERCY and COMPASSIONATE ACTION”. I don’t see any of those three given to Fr. Duffy by his superiors in the Archdiocese. I reiterate what I wrote earlier: How can you SINCERELY love others if you cannot even give that love to your own household?

10 years ago Featured

Fr. John Duffy is a selfless person who was always there with unconditional love and kind words when our family needed support. He's a man of the community and should never be taken away from his priestly life. We are lucky to have him as our parish priest.

My thought and prayers are with fr. John. As for the Archdiocese, it is shameful and disgusting of the act that they have committed. As of today any kind of support, monetary or otherwise, to the archdiocese will be terminated.

Dear Fr John, Please know that i am praying for you. You are a thoughtful, spiritual and holy priest. I feel so blessed to have had the privilege to walk beside you on our pilgrimage to the holy land.. You will always be a catholic priest. GOD BLESS YOU.

Well said, would not surprise me if it was someone from the Archdiocese.

Thank you Father, whoever you are, it is encouraging to see that there are still priests we can rely on, who are true followers of Christ. I myself have unfortunately a very negative outlook on our Archdiocese and Cardinal Collins from personal experience of the past several months. The faithful are being thrown to the wolves, are being abandoned by those who should be shepherding us. God have mercy on us all !

Interceding and Praying to Our Lady for you, Fr. John Duffy! May The Lord give you strength, wisdom, courage and perseverance!

God bless you Iverine I'll pray for you. Please pray for me. Caroline Rose Duffy

This action by the Archdiocese of Toronto is DIABOLICAL. In due time Our Lord Jesus will take care of it. Woe be to those who misplace the Children of God. I would suggest to the ecclesiastics of Toronto to repent and convert or be lost for eternity. Your immortal souls are in grave danger.

Caroline Rose Duffy Hope you receive at least 30 pieces of silver. Shame on you.

Mr. O’Conner, I was reviewing today my comment to your comment yesterday and realized that I got carried away on Humility and Truth that I forgot to address the other item you raised: Vow of Obedience. VOW of OBEDIENCE is NOT BLIND Obedience. Although I can read the Code of Canon Law on the Vatican website http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM, I cannot claim that I know it. But my COMMON SENSE tells me that everything about CANON LAW boils down to what is LAWFUL, PROPER and RIGHT before God - Obedience is expected for as long as what the superior is ordering is in accordance with God’s will, not contrary to God. "St. Joan of Arc was known to have NOT OBEYED her bishop Cauchon who was said to be more interested in POLITICS than in religion.” "She listened to God’s voice alone and paid no attention to what her bishop was ordering her to do. She accomplished her mission successfully." "St. John of the Cross suffered similar travail: 'On the night of 2 December 1577, ST. JOHN of the CROSS WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY HIS SUPERIORS in the calced Carmelites, who had launched a counter-program AGAINST JOHN and TERESA’S [of Avila] REFORMS. JOHN HAD REFUSED AN ORDER TO RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL HOUSE.’ 'He managed to escape nine months later, on 15 August 1578, through a small window in a room adjoining his cell. (He had managed to pry the cell door off its hinges earlier that day)." St. John of the Cross DISOBEYED HIS SUPERIOR’S ORDER BECAUSE IT WAS UNJUST, therefore, immoral. For disobeying he was imprisoned, but then escaped since he knew the actions of his superior was not God's will for his life." "Probably the best example of obedience is ST. FRANCIS of ASSISI, who told his friars that the only time they could disobey was if they were ordered to do something sinful.” Honor thy father and thy mother is one of the Ten Commandments which Jesus summed up into two Commandments of Love, and which the Archdiocese of Toronto clearly expressed in their FAM

May The Lord walk with you throughout this terrible time. those who started the evil rumours will get what they deserve!

Hang in there Father Duffy. We are with you all the way through! Darkness is always followed by the sunshine.