FRK Advocates is seeking answers to these troubling questions surrounding the resignation and suspension of Fr. Richard Kirkham.
What changed from the time that Bishop Olson stated that he could not ethically share more information regarding Father Richard’s suspension with parishioners to the point where he decided to release so much information to the public media?
In Bishop Olson’s written response (June 18) to parishioners who had written letters to him, he stated that ‘because of my paternal care for him [Father Richard] as his bishop (and for you [parishioners] as your bishop) will not permit me [Bishop Olson] to share the details surrounding his resignation and subsequent suspension without his consent.’ Furthermore, in his verbal statement delivered to Saint Martin de Porres (June 30), the bishop stated ‘the current issue is an internal Canonical and spiritual matter between a priest and his bishop, but it is also similar to a matter between an employee and his employer. The ethics of both prevent me from commenting more directly on his situation.’
Why did Bishop Olson’s explanation of why he called for Father Richard’s resignation seem to change?
June 8 — In a meeting with Steve Knobbe (parishioner), the bishop says that Fr. Richard willingly resigned his position and that he no longer wanted to be pastor of Saint Martin de Porres.
June 18 — In a letter to parishioners who had written to the bishop about Fr. Richard, the bishop tells us that the resignation ‘involves matters of a personal nature’.
June 30 — In the bishop’s verbal statement made to parishioners, he states, ‘on June 4, 2018, I had a conversation with Fr. Kirkham regarding several serious Canonical, spiritual, pastoral matters that had been brought to my attention, some of which involve the private matter of his health and also the well-being of this parish. In my conversation with him and after seeking counsel with my advisors in prayer, I requested that Fr. Kirkham resign his office as Pastor for his own good as well as for the good of his parish.’
August 3 – In a statement to the media, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth says Fr. Kirkham was asked to resign because he did not follow proper procedures for reporting suspicions of sexual abuse.
What exactly did Fr. Richard do wrong that prompted Bishop Olson to call for his resignation?
From the statements released to the media, it seems another priest had admitted to Fr. Richard that he was having a sexual affair with an adult and was also struggling with alcohol. Fr. Richard had then written a letter to this priest to inform him that he would be reporting him to church leadership. How do these actions justify the removal of Fr. Richard from his parish?
Why will Bishop Olson not meet with FRK Advocates members?
FRK Advocates has gathered more than 600 signatures of parishioners across the Ft. Worth Diocese asking for reinstatement of Fr. Richard Kirkham. A significant number of the bishop’s own flock is suffering and his refusal to hear our pleas is causing further harm.
Why was Father Richard treated so unfairly after his resignation?
After leaving the St. Luke’s Institute and returning to his residence (the rectory), Fr. Richard was surprised to discover that he was locked out of his home where he has lived for the past several years. All of his possessions were still locked inside and all he had were the clothes from his trip to St. Luke’s. Furthermore, he found out he would be arrested if returns to his home. From the outside looking in, this seems like a very unkind way to treat a priest/pastor who has successfully grown a new parish and oversaw the building of a brand new church and school.
Was there any kind of investigation done before asking Fr. Richard to resign?
It appears that Bishop Olson may have acted in haste in asking for Father Richard’s resignation. From the perspective of FRK Advocates, it appears that Father Richard was doing the right thing by trying to counsel a fellow priest to end his harmful behavior and try to report the priest when the behavior did not end.
Was there an attempt of any counseling or disciplinary action for Fr. Richard prior to calling for his resignation?
– From the viewpoint of the laity, the resignation and subsequent suspension of Fr. Richard seems extremely abrupt. Fr. Richard was only gone for less than one week from the Parish before his resignation was announced to parishioners.
– Immediately removing Fr. Richard as a result of his actions has put a terrible burden on the parishioners and has likely slowed the growth of the parish as well. It would appear that Father Richard’s actions were done out of concern for a fellow priest and for him to be removed so quickly is very difficult to understand.
“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” –Matthew 7:7-8