PETITION IN SUPPORT OF FR. JOHN M. DUFFY

Have known Fr Duffy for a long time and respect him for all he has done in the church and the parishes he has served. Please help him to clear his name.

Mr. O’Conner (I hope that that’s your real name). HUMILITY is concerned with WHAT IS RIGHT. In Fr. Duffy’s case, it is to tell the TRUTH, for the TRUTH MUST BE KNOWN so that he will be the last (as he is not the first) to suffer injustice, partiality, from the very people who are supposed to be shepherding the faithful in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Why treat Fr. Duffy’s case differently? The Archdiocese enumerated the offences of ex-priest Joe Gorman, why not do the same in Fr. Duffy's case? WHY HIDE FR. DUFFY’S OFFENCES IF HE IS REALLY AT FAULT? So, I don’t buy your argument that "The Cardinal isn't going to reveal the details because it isn't for us to know." A person who holds strong to his convictions tells the story, so people would know the truth; because WHEN TRUTH IS WITHHELD, PEOPLE SUFFER. The very first one to suffer is the VICTIM. In this case, the faithful who know Fr. Duffy also suffer - they are discouraged, disappointed, disillusioned with what’s happening in our Church. I applaud Fr. Duffy for having the courage to tell the truth. It "takes a MAN to tell the truth"; Fr. Duffy knows that Jesus, "the perfect Man, has his back". The Archdiocese doesn’t have to spend millions of dollars to revitalize our Faith if only they will WALK the TALK. And as Pope Francis recently tweeted, “…words without actions are empty”. No matter how hard the faithful pray for an increase in religious vocations, if the Shepherds don’t walk the talk and just talk and talk from the pulpit, not much will happen because ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS. They should SPREAD THE GOSPEL WITH THEIR LIVES, the way we are told at every Mass. "Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility.” Robin Morgan

The news of Father John Duffy being "suspended" has deeply saddened our family. Fr. John is known and loved by our family for years. He has always been there for us as spiritual guide and we are indebted to him for the years he has served us and the parish. For priests that have committed crimes, the church removes them quietly but still protects them. We are appalled at the treatment that Fr. John had to endure. He is a dedicated, kind and compassionate priest and we trust that the Lord will bring to justice the people that have brought this disgrace on a good priest.

I hope and pray that Fr. John receives a fair hearing.

I read the final sermon and it saddens me at the treatment Father John Duffy has received . Fr. John is known and loved by our family and I will trust that the good Lord will bring to justice the people that have brought this disgrace on a good priest. For priests that have committed crimes the church removes them quietly and still protects them. I am appalled at the treatment the Archdiocese of Toronto has given this committed priest.

It is my opinion that PART of the problem may very well be the vow of obedience!! Ms. Bunting are you now slandering the Cardinal? Leaving the parish quietly is not his style. For a priest, if they have humility then their honour wouldn't be a worry. Going away quietly is what a man of the clothe would do. The Cardinal isn't going to reveal the details because it isn't for us to know. Statement from the Archdiocese of Toronto re: Sacred Heart Parish, Uxbridge Over the past several years the Archdiocese of Toronto has been working closely with Fr. John Duffy to address a number of issues concerning his responsibilities as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. We have also been deeply concerned about his personal health and well-being. After numerous discussions, Fr. Duffy commenced civil litigation against Cardinal Thomas Collins. After mediation involving a retired Superior Court of Ontario judge and legal counsel, Fr. Duffy decided to retire from active ministry, effective July 13, 2015. We are working with Fr. 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. Fr. Joseph Rodrigues has been appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and will arrive this week to begin serving the faithful. We pray that he will be welcomed with open arms. We extend our thanks to the parishioners of Sacred Heart for your ongoing support and engagement in your faith community. We pray for Fr. Duffy and Fr. Rodrigues with the hope and prayer that your parish will continue to serve as a beacon of faith, hope and love to all.

The Archdiocese has become weak. It seems that they want to take the wide road than the road less travelled. Instead of fighting and standing up for what we as Catholics believe in they are putting their tails between their legs. They don't have the guts or courage like Father Duffy to say - Enough is Enough. This is what we believe in and we will not change our teachings!' We need MORE priests like Father John. "The Church will have much to suffer" Sister Lucy of Fatima

I am so sickened by the Archdoicese of Toronto. Father John Duffy is the most passionate priest I have ever met. I was born and raised a Catholic in Ireland. In my 57 years of being a Catholic I have never met a priest like him. For the first time in my life, Father Duffy made me feel like I was a very special person in his parish. After my first time meeting him, he always called me by my first name. On the day that Father made his farewell speech, the church at first was silent, then came the sobs of the parishioners who could not believe what they were hearing. Father Duffy was suspended for life. He is neither a criminal or a pedifile. Why is he being treated as such????? I wrote a three page letter to Cardinal Collins stating my feelings. I also called him on sending a Monsignor to our church to stand on the Holy Altar and lie. Father Duffy was "suspended" and literally put out on the street. The Archdoicese still imply that Father Duffy retired. Here is the response I got from Cardinal Collins Dear Ms. Bunting. The allegations upon which your indignation is based are simply not true. To provide you with accurate information, I am enclosing a copy of the statement that was read at Mass, which is accurate. I ask you to reflect upon it. May God abundantly bless Fr. Duffy at this difficult time in his life, and may Our Lord bless you always. So, I heard Father Duffy's farewell message to his parishioners. HE WAS SUSPENDED! If Father Duffy was guilty of anything, he would have left our parish quietly. The fact that he didn't proves his innocence to me. He is an amazing person, an amazing priest, and is one of the most Christian people I have ever met. What I get from Cardinal Collins letter to me - in not so many words - is that I am a LIAR. I am not a liar - I speak the truth. Father Duffy, I support you 100% and I would lay down my life for you. I know that 99% of the parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish feel the same. We, as good

I have known Father John Duffy for over 20 years. He is and has always been a most dedicated, committed, and extraordinary priest with a very big heart. I will never forget when Father John visited the children at St. Thomas More Catholic School. He never came empty handed. There was always a token for each and every student, such as a rosary or a lovely prayer card of the Blessed Mother. Father Duffy has been a wonderful friend to me and my son. He has helped me through some of the most difficult trials in my life. His faith in God gave me the strength and courage to carry on. I have never met a more faithful servant of God. I believe that justice will prevail, that the truth will come out and that those who slander Father Duffy's good name will eventually come to light. Father John, I am praying that this nightmare that has been inflicted upon you will soon be resolved. May God Bless You.

Prayers are with you.

My prayers are with Fr. John. I hope and pray that the church, at all levels of bureaucracy, acts in ways that is keeping with the dignity of the human person first and treats cases such as these in a just manner.

10 years ago Featured

We knew Fr. Duffy when we were parishioners at St. Thomas More Parish. He is a good and holy Priest whose guidance helped us to stay on the right path. May God send him the grace and strength to help him through this ordeal. Fr. Duffy you are in our prayers.

There is a shortage of GOOD PRIESTS and Father John Duffy is one of them. I pray that the archdiocese will be guided by the Holy Spirit to reinstate him. Why does our archdiocese always fail to look after our welfare and allow injustice like same sex marriage and sex education at elementary schools pass without a fight? They retain bad priest like Father Octavio Beltran and remove faculties on excellent priests like Fathers Dias, Fernando Suarez and John Duffy. WHY. I am losing trust in you due to the bad examples and injustice you show us,

This is horrific. What is going on with this Archdiocese? First Father Joe Gorman in Aurora and now this bull shit. We need a way to go higher than the Cardinal. Someone needs to get to the Pope. Don't laugh - I am serious.

The comment posted by Alban Mendonca at the bottom of this blog http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/statement-from-archdiocese-of-toronto.html about the FAMILY of FAITH CAMPAIGN is a Great Revelation! Check it out!

Father Duffy is one of the most generous priests I know. His orthodoxy has been a breath of fresh air to our family in this watered down environment our Church exists in in Canada.

Father John Duffy is the most amazing priest I have ever come across! I can't believe this is happening to him?! I find this utterly unjust... I find this impossible to believe... he is the one who baptized my parents in 97' at St. Tomas More. He did a lot of great things during his time at St. Thomas More Parish. He was so involved with the youth group and parishioners to make sure they are cared for. He was also the one who met Blessed Mother Theresa, did missionary work with her. To have a chance to do missionary work with her face to face is truly a blessing. Not everyone is worthy of doing that... Justice For Father John Duffy! My prayers are with him!

I known Fr. John Duffy when he was at the seminary. I'm a parishioner of St Thomas More in Scarborough when he was an associate pastor and pastor. I could not believe that this is happening to him since I find him to be the man of the cloth and of God. Who ever had done this to him will answer to God our Almighty Lord. Your days of Judgement is coming and with our God.

Stumbled across this website. If you ask me, the Archdiocese isn't giving much of an explanation. http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.ca/2015/08/statement-from-archdiocese-of-toronto.html

My mom wanted me to sign this petition on her behalf. She feels Father Duffy is an extraordinary Priest. She is Praying the Rosary everyday for him to be reinstated and his name cleared. God Bless Father Duffy from Elva Corcoran