Father Leatherby is returning to active ministry. Thank you for your persistence.
December 5, 2018
Final supporters
---NOTE: This petition reached its goal of 1,000 signatures on 9/26/2018 in less than 3 weeks. Further information will be posted online at the Our Voice in the Diocese website. ---
---
A Press Release about this petition as well as the cover letter sent along with this petition and export report of signatures and comments is posted on the Our Voice in the Diocese website. ---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- http://OurVoiceintheDiocese.com ---
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Bishop Soto, Diocese of Sacramento, we add our signatures to the attached letter from Sally Leatherby requesting that you return Father Jeremy Leatherby to active ministry.
---- begin ---
To: Rev. Mark Richards, Vicar General
From: Sally Leatherby, Fr. Jeremy's Grandmother
Subject: Response to your letter dated August 31, 2018
I don't have much knowledge on the details of what has occurred in Fr. Jeremy's case, but I do have many concerns about the information in your letter that raises more questions than answers.
QUESTIONS:
1. Two and one half years for a hearing? (Missed family weddings, baptisms, first communions, confirmations)
2. "Formal canonical process"? Have other allegations been processed this way?
3. Who selects this "panel of canonical experts"? My trust is very low at this time!!
4. "Privacy", "presumed innocence", "integrity"? Priests and employees of the Sacramento Diocese told numerous priests and laity that Fr. Jeremy is guilty and they have seen evidence? Slanderous?
5. Why this letter now? Is this in response to people’s frustration and anger?
6. Diocesan letters to the public indicated that Fr. Jeremy was sick and taking a leave of absence? And that he resigned voluntarily?
Fr. Jeremy has remained faithful to his vows of obedience to his bishop and has asked repeatedly for everyone else to remain silent. I find is hard to see and hear this spin and not to respond.
Fr. Jeremy wants nothing more than to be a priest.
s/
---- end ---
--- background: This letter is in response to a letter from the Vicar to all priest in the Sacramento diocese dated 8/31/2018 ---
--- begin ---
Date: 31 August 2018
To: All Priests
From: Re:.Mark R. Richards, Vicar General, Subject: Rev. Jeremy P. Leatherby
Over the past several weeks, a number of you have expressed concern and interest in the case of Fr. Jeremy Leatherby. Given the speculation which has been put forth in recent weeks and the length of time it has taken to resolve this case, we have opted to make the following statement to those who inquire. We wanted you to have the same information.
“Fr. Leatherby was placed on leave in March 2016 due to a credible allegation of ministerial boundary violations with an adult woman. A subsequent preliminary investigation determined that a formal canonical process would be needed to investigate the circumstances around this allegation.
Fr. Leatherby has been represented by canonical counsel {a canon lawyer) of his own choosing from the beginning of this process. In compliance with diocesan policy, the diocese is paying for that counsel. The diocese has been in regular communication with his counsel. Neither the bishop nor his staff has ever refused to communicate with Fr. Leatherby or his counsel.
To the frustration of us all, it took longer than we would have liked to assemble a panel of canonical experts independent of the diocese to address this case. But, that independent panel has been in place since January and the process is proceeding. In the interest of protecting the privacy of accusers, the presumed innocence of those accused, and the integrity of the process, we do not comment on the specifics of a particular case while the process is on-going. In all such cases, both the alleged victims and those accused are given the opportunity to be heard and to respond. As with all those who are accused, Fr. Leatherby's right of defense is being protected.
We ask that members of the faithful keep all those involved in prayer, imploring the Holy Spirit to guide those responsible to finding the truth."
s/
--- end ---
--- for additional background: search google for "bishop soto father leatherby" ---
---note: This petition reached its goal of 1,000 signatures on 9/26/2018 in less than 3 weeks. Further information will be posted online at http://OurVoiceintheDiocese.com
--- A second petition based on a letter from Celeste V. Spitz is located here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/request-to-ret...
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 26, 2018
September 26, 2018
We are approaching the one thousand mark. Keep this momentum moving until we hit the goal.
Reached 100 supporters
September 7, 2018
475 Comments
Fr. Leatherby was my pastor at Presentation Parish. The Parish grew and thrived largely in part to his servant leadership. He is a faithful and loyal shepherd. I went on pilgrimage with a large group including him to Europe. His behavior and reverence were observed by all.
As a protestant minister who has served Modoc County for 32 years, I encourage you to return Fr. Leathery to active ministry. His deep faith & service was a blessing to the community & a fine representative of the Roman Catholic Church.
Fr. L is the best homilist I have ever encountered. Keeping him in my prayers during this troubling time in Church history. If we do not have sufficient opportunity and transparency so as to learn from our mistakes, what is the point of proclaiming oneself Catholic?
He was the first priest I had ever met who treated the Mass with such reverence that I could tell that he truly believed what he said he believed. Mass wasn't something to just get through to fulfill the weekly obligation, but he truly celebrated Mass.
He saved my life 2 years ago with the blessing he poured on me that allowed my heart to soften and let the Lord in. Isn't this what all priests are supposed to do, yet so few are able to do it effectively? Put him back where God called him and stop trying to be God.
Reinstate Fr Jeremy. I will pass this onto my local bishop in NY and stop donating to my church here. This is my offering from across the country.
TRUTH IS A RARE THING. LET`S HEAR IT.
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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Father Leatherby is returning to active ministry. Thank you for your persistence.
December 5, 2018
Final supporters
---NOTE: This petition reached its goal of 1,000 signatures on 9/26/2018 in less than 3 weeks. Further information will be posted online at the Our Voice in the Diocese website. ---
---
A Press Release about this petition as well as the cover letter sent along with this petition and export report of signatures and comments is posted on the Our Voice in the Diocese website. ---
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- http://OurVoiceintheDiocese.com ---
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Soto, Diocese of Sacramento, we add our signatures to the attached letter from Sally Leatherby requesting that you return Father Jeremy Leatherby to active ministry.
---- begin ---
To: Rev. Mark Richards, Vicar General
From: Sally Leatherby, Fr. Jeremy's Grandmother
Subject: Response to your letter dated August 31, 2018
I don't have much knowledge on the details of what has occurred in Fr. Jeremy's case, but I do have many concerns about the information in your letter that raises more questions than answers.
QUESTIONS:
1. Two and one half years for a hearing? (Missed family weddings, baptisms, first communions, confirmations)
2. "Formal canonical process"? Have other allegations been processed this way?
3. Who selects this "panel of canonical experts"? My trust is very low at this time!!
4. "Privacy", "presumed innocence", "integrity"? Priests and employees of the Sacramento Diocese told numerous priests and laity that Fr. Jeremy is guilty and they have seen evidence? Slanderous?
5. Why this letter now? Is this in response to people’s frustration and anger?
6. Diocesan letters to the public indicated that Fr. Jeremy was sick and taking a leave of absence? And that he resigned voluntarily?
Fr. Jeremy has remained faithful to his vows of obedience to his bishop and has asked repeatedly for everyone else to remain silent. I find is hard to see and hear this spin and not to respond.
Fr. Jeremy wants nothing more than to be a priest.
s/
---- end ---
--- background: This letter is in response to a letter from the Vicar to all priest in the Sacramento diocese dated 8/31/2018 ---
--- begin ---
Date: 31 August 2018
To: All Priests
From: Re:.Mark R. Richards, Vicar General, Subject: Rev. Jeremy P. Leatherby
Over the past several weeks, a number of you have expressed concern and interest in the case of Fr. Jeremy Leatherby. Given the speculation which has been put forth in recent weeks and the length of time it has taken to resolve this case, we have opted to make the following statement to those who inquire. We wanted you to have the same information.
“Fr. Leatherby was placed on leave in March 2016 due to a credible allegation of ministerial boundary violations with an adult woman. A subsequent preliminary investigation determined that a formal canonical process would be needed to investigate the circumstances around this allegation.
Fr. Leatherby has been represented by canonical counsel {a canon lawyer) of his own choosing from the beginning of this process. In compliance with diocesan policy, the diocese is paying for that counsel. The diocese has been in regular communication with his counsel. Neither the bishop nor his staff has ever refused to communicate with Fr. Leatherby or his counsel.
To the frustration of us all, it took longer than we would have liked to assemble a panel of canonical experts independent of the diocese to address this case. But, that independent panel has been in place since January and the process is proceeding. In the interest of protecting the privacy of accusers, the presumed innocence of those accused, and the integrity of the process, we do not comment on the specifics of a particular case while the process is on-going. In all such cases, both the alleged victims and those accused are given the opportunity to be heard and to respond. As with all those who are accused, Fr. Leatherby's right of defense is being protected.
We ask that members of the faithful keep all those involved in prayer, imploring the Holy Spirit to guide those responsible to finding the truth."
s/
--- end ---
--- for additional background: search google for "bishop soto father leatherby" ---
---note: This petition reached its goal of 1,000 signatures on 9/26/2018 in less than 3 weeks. Further information will be posted online at http://OurVoiceintheDiocese.com
--- A second petition based on a letter from Celeste V. Spitz is located here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/request-to-ret...
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 26, 2018
September 26, 2018
We are approaching the one thousand mark. Keep this momentum moving until we hit the goal.
Reached 100 supporters
September 7, 2018
475 Comments
Fr. Jeremy has ignited a passion for the faith in so many. He wants nothing more than to be a priest and deserves a fair hearing. Bishop Soto, it is your obligation to give him one. This is the type of injustice that is discouraging so many away from our holy church.
Fr. Leatherby was my pastor at Presentation Parish. The Parish grew and thrived largely in part to his servant leadership. He is a faithful and loyal shepherd. I went on pilgrimage with a large group including him to Europe. His behavior and reverence were observed by all.
As a protestant minister who has served Modoc County for 32 years, I encourage you to return Fr. Leathery to active ministry. His deep faith & service was a blessing to the community & a fine representative of the Roman Catholic Church.
Fr. L is the best homilist I have ever encountered. Keeping him in my prayers during this troubling time in Church history. If we do not have sufficient opportunity and transparency so as to learn from our mistakes, what is the point of proclaiming oneself Catholic?
He was the first priest I had ever met who treated the Mass with such reverence that I could tell that he truly believed what he said he believed. Mass wasn't something to just get through to fulfill the weekly obligation, but he truly celebrated Mass.
He saved my life 2 years ago with the blessing he poured on me that allowed my heart to soften and let the Lord in. Isn't this what all priests are supposed to do, yet so few are able to do it effectively? Put him back where God called him and stop trying to be God.
Reinstate Fr Jeremy. I will pass this onto my local bishop in NY and stop donating to my church here. This is my offering from across the country.
TRUTH IS A RARE THING. LET`S HEAR IT.
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Fr. Jeremy has ignited a passion for the faith in so many. He wants nothing more than to be a priest and deserves a fair hearing. Bishop Soto, it is your obligation to give him one. This is the type of injustice that is discouraging so many away from our holy church.