The last few months have been filled with prayerful discernment for me and for Father Theodore Rothrock. Following his June bulletin article, Father Rothrock was asked to step away from public ministry. The pastoral care of the parish, the affected communities and Father Rothrock have been my main concern during this time of reflection. Throughout this time, Father Rothrock and I have met on multiple occasions to discuss his well-being and plans for his return to public ministry. Based on these conversations, and after consultation with the Clergy Personnel Advisory Committee, I have rescinded the suspension issued to Father Rothrock on July 1, 2020 hereby restoring his faculties as a priest in good standing in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. Looking forward, I have offered and Father Rothrock has accepted the appointment as Missionary Pastor of St. Paul, Marion to begin November 1, 2020.
Father Rothrock’s extensive pastoral experience in our diocese has allowed him to shepherd, guide and care for many people through a number of situations. I feel confident he will be able to help the St. Paul community work through the unexpected death of their pastor.
“I’ve had time to reflect on my word choices from the summer and deeply regret the hurt and division I have caused, most especially within my beloved Saint Elizabeth Seton parish family,” said Father Rothrock. “My time away has given me the opportunity to pray, read, and deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ. I wholeheartedly reject racism and anything that separates us from fully embracing the messages of the Gospel. I feel refreshed and reenergized for ministry. I am hopeful that I can bring healing and strength to the St. Paul parish community during this tragic time, especially through Christ’s presence in the sacraments. I look forward to using my gifts and charisms to help them deepen their relationship with Christ and to help us find hope in our grief.”
I am pleased that Father Rothrock has been able to take the time that he himself requested to reflect on the events that transpired over the summer and used the time productively to rejuvenate his spirit for active ministry. In a time where it is difficult to engage in civil dialogue, I believe our approach has allowed God to provide grace and insight into our discussions. Jesus came to redeem humanity and it is through His grace that this situation continues to be redeemed.
I know Father Rothrock will bring wisdom and grace to the people of St. Paul and I look forward to the ways he will continue to contribute to the people of our diocese.
Dowload as PDF: Bishop Doherty and Father Rothrock Joint Statement, October 27, 2020
Spanish Translation
Dear People of God of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. As a Bishop, my mission is the salvation of souls. Our Church teaches us that every human life is valuable and made in the image and likeness of God no matter our color or origin. The Church also teaches, and I firmly believe, that racism is wrong.
I support those who choose to demonstrate peacefully in favor of social equality, equity and justice. However, The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and Antifa promote beliefs and stances that directly contradict Catholic Church teachings. I have always opposed these contradictions to Church teaching and have never advocated for any organization that promotes these contradictions. I have never supported those who bring violence to otherwise peaceful demonstrations.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us many things about racism, violence, the human family, marriage and our social and economic systems. I am sworn to uphold all the teachings of the Church that I love, and I do.
I invite Catholic people to continue promoting racial justice in our society, and we should play an active role in opposing racism. Charity obliges us to work toward ongoing conversion and spiritual transformation of everyone in our presence. As we encounter people in our day to day life, we should help them to encounter Jesus Christ who has taught us that to love Him is to love others.
Bishop Timothy L. Doherty
Dowload as PDF: Bishop Doherty's Statement on July 10, 2020
July 8, 2020
On July 1, 2020, Bishop Doherty asked Father Theodore Rothrock to step aside from public ministry because of the division and damage that was instantly felt within the parish, the diocese and the larger community following Father Rothrock’s controversial bulletin article. Father Rothrock has expressed regret and he understands and appreciates God’s gift of the human family, and therefore the value of every human life which is made in the image and likeness of God.
This time for pastoral discernment is for the good of the diocese, for St. Elizabeth Seton and for the good of Father Rothrock. As a part of the Uniting in Heart 2030 Pastoral Plan, various possibilities for Father Rothrock’s public continuation in priestly ministry are still being considered. The Bishop continues to express pastoral concern for the affected communities, and we ask for your prayers during this time.
Download as PDF: Bishop Doherty's Updated Statement Regarding Father Rothrock’s June 28, 2020 Bulletin Article (July 8, 2020)
Comments to be publicly delivered at St Elizabeth Seton Church,
July 4-5, 2020, by Bishop Timothy Doherty
God so loved the world…. (John 3:16)
This is why Christ came and instituted his church. Go and make disciples. This is who we are. It is important at this uncomfortable juncture to remember who WE are. We are at a moment when some people are defining others and their social stances. Let’s not forget what defines us.
St. Elizabeth Seton parish has a wonderful history, and Father Ted Rothrock has been very much a part of this. Priests and people here say we are welcoming, and so we build moments to put that into practice. There are social outreaches to Haiti, to the needy, and advocacy for the education of children. The parish is a strong supporter of diocesan ministries. The Divine Liturgy here, the Mass, is treated with reverence and with worthy music. The Liturgy of the Hours is a daily public practice. There are ongoing opportunities for spiritual growth: “CRHP,” RCIA, and Awaken, just to name a few that I am familiar with. This is who we are.
We also realize that area parishes and schools are not the only ministries carried out in the name of the Church. We are defined by Catholic-sponsored healthcare systems here in Central Indiana that are a huge presence here both as employers and care providers.
By contrast, defining others is perilous. On June 16, the Catholic News Agency and the National Catholic Register –which are part of the EWTN organization– published an article titled “Can Catholics Support ‘Black Lives Matter”? It tells us at least two important things. First, that there are dozens of organizations that use that phrase. One of them, The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, clearly says things that I oppose. Second, it is only one organization among many dozens using the phrase BLM, and it is a mistake to say that that foundation is the headquarters of what is a very diverse movement.
We can’t capture the facts of what is happening across different movements inside and outside the United States by simply referring to an unspecific “THEY” or “IT.”
I am here today also so we remember who I am, the bishop over this parish community. As every priest learns at seminary, and as we hear in the words for the Ordination of Priests, the priest, the pastor, is an extension of the bishop’s ministry. A priest’s capacity to celebrate Mass and Sacraments is an expression of the bishop’s own mission to govern, teach and sanctify. Each Mass reminds us of this connection when the bishop is prayed for by name.
Could we imagine that Fr Rothrock’s bulletin article of June 28, much less his choice of wording, is an extension of, and expression of a Catholic bishop’s apostolic role in the Church? Some people chose to think so. But we know it is not, and in my conversation here on Wednesday with Father Ted, he knows it too. The serious consequences of that article are still playing out among us, and in the wider community. I chose the suspension provided for in church law. The suspension offers me an opportunity for pastoral discernment for the good of the diocese, of St Elizabeth Seton Church, and for the good of Father Rothrock.
I ask your continuing prayers for the parish, our church and for me. Pray for Father Rothrock who is still a friend to many of us. And if anyone asks you, you can tell them that this bishop says that Black lives matter.
Keep in mind these two citations:
10 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.f11 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.12 I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to* Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”g13* Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? — I Corinthians 1:10-12, NAB
Pope Francis in a June 2, 2020 speech to the world: “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”
Download as PDF: Bishop Doherty's Message at St. Elizabeth Seton (July 4-5, 2020)
Regarding Father Rothrock’s June 28, 2020 Bulletin Article (July 1, 2020)
Regarding Father Rothrock’s June 28, 2020 bulletin article (June 30, 2020)
Bishop Doherty's statement regarding the death of George Floyd (June 2, 2020) [text][Spanish]
Racism then healthcare then oversight (February 23, 2020) [text]
Social doctrine in print (September 15, 2019) [text]
Ethnic and racial pre-judging (Mar. 24, 2019) [text]
Anti-Semitism (Nov. 11, 2018) [text]
Situating racism (August 20, 2017) [ text]