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TRANSCRIPT
We’re here at the Carlisle in Lombard, Illinois, where 1,000 tickets have been sold. The event is in support of Fr. James Parker, whom Rockford bishop David Malloy recently sidelined. Malloy has a history of ousting traditional priests while promoting ones that raise eyebrows and questions. Let’s contrast a few key players in the Rockford saga.
Back in May, Fr. Parker received a call from the chancery informing him he was being removed as pastor of Holy Cross in Batavia on June 15 and instructing him he was not to stay at any rectory in the diocese.
The move was in violation of canon law, and so Fr. Parker held his ground, explaining he was still pastor until Bp. Malloy followed the Church’s law.
Bp. David Malloy: “We can delude ourselves about what Jesus taught, changing His lessons to match our own desires.”
Malloy then turned up the heat, threatening Holy Cross employees with possible loss of employment should they listen to Fr. Parker instead of the parochial administrator, Fr. Jared Twenty. He did this through his attorney, Ellen Lynch, who many clergy and laity in Rockford report operates in a cutthroat manner and behind whom Malloy hides.
At that point, Fr. Parker, concerned for the well-being of these employees, left the Holy Cross premises, though he clarified he’s still pastor and he’s mulling over options with canon and civil lawyers moving forward. Of course, some priests removed from ministry need to be for legitimate reasons.
But it seems the majority of Malloy’s oustings involve good priests who are traditional-minded. Meanwhile, he seems to reward priests he likes with promotions, regardless of qualifications or experience. One such priest is the Very Reverend Kyle Manno, who serves as Rockford’s vocation director, campus ministry director and vicar forane of the DeKalb Deanery — meaning he oversees the priests in that area.
Priests in the diocese explained this is an impressive resume for a young man ordained only five years ago, in 2016. Standing at the altar during Manno’s first Mass was Msgr. Glenn Nelson, a vicar general, moderator of the curia and head of the deaf ministry.
Sources explained Nelson took Manno under his wing years ago, even bringing him on lavish trips when Manno was still a seminarian.
And while Fr. Parker continues to stream Rosaries and Holy Hours for his flock, the Very Reverend Manno continues to post videos of himself beatboxing, cooking and shopping.
Trashing traditional priests like Parker while elevating inexperienced priests like Manno just raises more questions about Malloy’s own character and his intentions.
— Campaign 32075 —
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