Rogue priest asks clergy to push Knights from parishes, exploit insurance policies

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Comments: 49

Suspended priest, Geoffrey Farrow

Fresno, Calif., Jul 2, 2009 / 06:43 am (CNA).- Citing the organization’s support for traditional marriage, a suspended Catholic priest who has turned to homosexual activism has called for Catholic pastors to block Knights of Columbus groups from their parishes and to borrow against the order’s insurance policies to fund homosexual groups.

He said he advocated such action in part because the fraternal charitable organization helped support California’s Proposition 8, which restored legal marriage’s definition to being between a man and a woman.

Fr. Geoffrey Farrow, former pastor of the St. Paul Newman Center at California State University at Fresno, was removed as pastor in October 2008 for defying church teaching on homosexuality and for condemning Catholic support for Proposition 8, the California Catholic Daily reports.

Writing in a June 4 post on his personal blog, Fr. Farrow wrote:

“Many priests have e-mailed me and expressed their rage and anger over the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy in supporting anti-marriage equality legislation… One of the organizations, which the bishops have effectively employed to do their dirty work, has been the Knights of Columbus.”

He discussed what priests can do to fight “the anti-gay agenda of the bishops and the K of C.”

“Borrow the full amount against your Knights of Columbus life insurance policy immediately,” he advised. “Take the check and invest the funds with an LGBT friendly fund. Do not pay back the loan.”

According to the Knights of Columbus’ web site, for more than 120 years the order has sold insurance to help protect families against “financial ruin.”

Patrick Korten, Knights of Columbus Vice-President of Communications, told CNA in a Wednesday e-mail that those who hold a “whole life policy” with the order may indeed borrow against it.

“As with any loan, one is charged interest on the amount borrowed. Taking a full loan against a policy and not paying it back simply diminishes its value to the policyholder and could cause the policy to lapse.

“That, in turn, defeats the very purpose of having the policy in the first place: protection against financial adversity,” he explained.

Fr. Farrow’s blog post also asked priests not to allow Knights of Columbus groups to publish announcements in parish bulletins and not to allow their events to be held on church property. Fr. Farrow suggested programs be created as a pretext to push out the order’s meetings.

“Pastors may grant or withhold permission for organizations to use church facilities for their meetings,” he wrote. “Most parishes have very tight facility scheduling. Create a program and tell the K of C they need to meet elsewhere.”

According to the California Catholic Daily, Fr. Farrow is the scheduled homilist for the “Eucharistic Celebration” at the 2009 Dignity USA Convention held this July in San Francisco. The event’s keynote speaker is a parishioner of Most Holy Redeemer Church, a San Francisco parish that often dissents from Church teaching on sexual ethics.

Dignity USA, itself criticized as a dissenting Catholic group, on its website says it works for the “reform of its [the Catholic Church’s] teachings and practices regarding human sexuality.” It claims more than 35 chapters across the United States.

Korten’s Wednesday e-mail to CNA also commented upon Fr. Farrow’s actions.

“We adhere to the clear teaching of the Church on marriage, whereas Fr. Farrow has chosen to publicly defy that teaching,” he said.

Korten added that the priest appeared to be “seriously at odds with the bishops” in the U.S. and around the world in his description of the Knights of Columbus’ pro-marriage activities as the bishops’ “dirty work.”

“We proudly stand with Pope Benedict XVI and the bishops and priests who are in communion with him, and stand with him on marriage,” Korten told CNA. “Not only is that not ‘dirty work,’ it is, in fact, the work of Christ and his Church. We have been supporting the Pope and our bishops for 127 years. We have no intention of changing that.”

Asked whether there were any legal issues with Fr. Farrow’s recommendations, Korten replied:

“For better or worse, giving people bad advice is not a crime.”

However, Fr. Farrow is “encouraging other priests to turn their backs on the largest and most effective lay Catholic organization that is dedicated to supporting them in their work of evangelization and pastoral care. He is attempting to undermine the tremendous work that the Knights do for charity and for the church in thousands of parishes around the nation and the world.

“I doubt that many priests would even consider following his advice,” Korten remarked.

The Knights of Columbus has 1.7 million members in more than 13,000 councils worldwide.

Comments: 49

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Michael
San Jose, Ca. 07/14/2009 03:18 PM EST

Because the Church does not teach infallibly on all matters at this point in time, it leaves open to Catholics the possibility to form their own conscience on contrary matters, providing they—
• have a grave reason for doing so,
• have pondered the Church’s teaching and the reasons for it,
• have sought without success alternative solutions to the problem, and
• have prayed diligently for guidance.

Therefore, it is possible that after following these steps faithfully, a Catholic honestly can find themselves in a conflict of duties.

As a case in point concerning a couple’s decision regarding artificial birth control, the Canadian bishops wrote:

“In accord with the accepted principles of moral theology, if these persons have tried sincerely but without success to pursue a line of conduct in keeping with the given directives (Church’s teaching) they may be safely assured that whoever honestly chooses the course which seems right to them does so in a good conscience.”

After Pope Paul VI read the Canadian bishops’ statement, his spokesperson informed the bishops that the Holy Father was satisfied with the way it was expressed.

Published by: Deborah Burchfield
Fresno, CA US 07/08/2009 12:51 PM EST

I should have known that such small minded people would only post comments that are in complete agreement.

Published by: Humblemonk
Mpls, MN, USA 07/08/2009 12:08 PM EST

From the beginning of this article to the very end of the comment section, I find this entire discussion to be nothing but the most shameful and small minded form of trifulous gossip I have ever encountered on the web. No wonder good and faithful people are leaving the Catholic Church in droves!

Published by: Bruce Attfield
Birmingham AL USA 07/08/2009 09:17 AM EST

Indeed Sodomy is as written evil and he should recieve the rite of Exhortism. there as been an attack on the clergy unaware of the wiles and magnitude of culture whom then support this evil occula et. Rented space in the holyness of thy Priest is the adversary #1 Target. Protect our Priests'and help and learn how to keep and love the Priesthood as tis the most Demanding job in the universe.

Published by: Victor
Boston, MA 07/07/2009 08:36 PM EST

Perhaps the KOC will remember its roots and stop wasting money and time on preventing loving couples from marrying.

WWJD? He would love all God's children just not the straight ones.

Published by: Deborah Burchfield
Fresno, CA US 07/07/2009 04:05 PM EST

While you are all so busy praying, pray for yourselves that God will see fit to open your minds. Your judgmental, vicious attacks only show your inability to love others as God loves you. Shame on you all. Father Geoff is a courageous hero with the integrity to stand up for what he believes in spite of the good ole' boy mentality of our church. You are all reminiscent of a lynch mob at a KKK meeting. Shame on you.

Published by: J Robert
California USA 07/06/2009 04:29 PM EST

Fr. Farrow indeed advocated that people default on their loan obligations.

Since the above article was published, Fr. Farrow has removed the offending passages from his blog. Unfortunately, he has done so in such a way as to suggest CNA fabricated quotations from his blog. Independent sources can verify CNA's story.

Published by: cw
Wichita, KS USA 07/06/2009 11:01 AM EST

Thank-You, Knights of Columbus for the hard work.

Published by: Louis Pasetto
Mt. Juliet, Tn /usa 07/05/2009 01:46 PM EST

This is so sad. There is such a shortage of men who will bring others to God. I ask my brother Knights to pray that this man that with God's help,he will make straight his path and live the holy life he promised to live. The bible is very clear as to God's view of marriage and sexuality

Published by: Anita
Florida,USA 07/03/2009 09:43 PM EST

Fr. Farrow is a priest in name only. If he is not following the teachings of the Catholic church, but rather defying them, he should not be a priest, he is wasting his time and all of ours.

Published by: Constance
CT, USA 07/03/2009 04:33 PM EST

It seems to me that the Catholic Church should start doing public excommunications for those clergy that are steering members of the Church in the wrong path. This is a scandal and this priest's Bishop should communicate with the Vatican to have him excommunicated.

The Knights of Columbus to tremendous charitable work and I commend them for keeping with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church - the Pope.

So many Catholics don't know their faith and must be protected.

Published by: Lisa
Brighton, TN 07/03/2009 01:37 PM EST

This former pastor needs many prayers - the evil one has gotten a hold on him. Satan will continue to work through people like this to try and destroy what Jesus created - Our Church. We must pray and continue to fight for the Faith that has been passed on to us over these 2 millenium. God will prevail!

Published by: WILLIAM DEPUY
SELBYVILLE DE USA 07/03/2009 11:43 AM EST

i AM TRULY HONERED AND PROUD TO BE A 4TH DEGREE KNIGHT AND PROUDLY STAND BEHIND THE POPE AND HIS BISHOPS ON THIS ISSUE

Published by: Dennis O'Neill
Milford, MA USA 07/02/2009 10:12 PM EST

Mr Farrow is a disgrace and should refrain from calling himself a Catholic priest or even a Catholic. His utter contempt for the Church's teachings and practices is proof enough of this. It is always a terrible shame when a priest falls from grace. We should pray for his soul that has been stained with the dark evils of homosexuality and the bitterness of his spirit towards people who practice our faith.

Published by: DAVE
MABANK, TX, USA 07/02/2009 09:14 PM EST

Suspended? Doesn't apostasy deserve excommunication?

Published by: Jack Spencer
KofC Council #7086 Paris TN 07/02/2009 08:25 PM EST

I call on my brother Knights everywhere to pray for Father Farrow. Pray that he may return to his vows, and his God.

Published by: george
new haven ct usa 07/02/2009 08:21 PM EST

Two can play this game Mr. former priest.

I will first donate to the Knights Prolife efforts because of your actions

and

I will think of ways to counter your actions.

Thanks for giving me incentives to work for real marriage and healthy families!

Published by: HOPE F.
VA/USA 07/02/2009 08:11 PM EST

This man should not be referred to as "Fr." - simply calling him Farrow or Mr. Farrow would be more proper.

I do not consider him a priest any longer - perhaps he never TRULY was.

Published by: Mike Myrick
Warner Robins, GA 07/02/2009 07:37 PM EST

We all know there are bad apples in every barrel. Priests are no different than the rest of us sinners. Luckily the very vast majority of priests are holy men trying thier very best to carry out thier committment to teaching the words of Christ and his Gospel. We need to pray for (Father?) Farrell as we do for others and as we ask them to do for us.

Published by: Joe Bruce
Seattle/WA/USA 07/02/2009 06:40 PM EST

Proud to be a Knight of Columbus and to remain true to the Faith of our fathers.

It is a lie to tell homosexuals they will find lasting happiness in homosexual activity. Through prayer and service and the support of good Christian friends there are plenty of people who have turned away from homosexual activity and live chastely, and i know some of them in my own parish.

May this priest repent and return to obedience to Christ and His Church and may he obtain the correct information that he desperately needs to enlighten his mind, and so stop misleading toward death our brothers and sisters who live with the cross of homosexuality.

Suggested reading:

The Courage to be Chaste, by Fr Benedict Groeschel

Praised be Jesus Christ! Now and forever!

Published by: Regina Pope
Benson, AZ. USA 07/02/2009 05:42 PM EST

Fr. Farrow forgets that the priest do not own their churches. They are supported by the laity of the church, many who are KofC' and their families. He is out to destroy the Catholic church and any other priest that even gives thoughts to his ideas , shame on them. I pray for Fr. Farrow and hope that he will change his ideas.

Published by: AnnJoseph
Belton, Texas 07/02/2009 05:34 PM EST

Fr. Farrow should remove his Roman collar in recognition of the Year of the Priesthood that rightly recognizes real priests who follow the teachings of Christ. Dignity cannot be had simply by joining a group, especially one that flaunts immorality. Where is the shame of these people? They want honor with their sinful pleasures, and they get nasty when they can't have both.

Published by: Margaret
Baltimore MD USA 07/02/2009 04:27 PM EST

Fr. Farrow should be excomunicated

Published by: al g.
PA USA 07/02/2009 04:27 PM EST

The devil has his hand on another priest. We must pray hard for this man! It is very sad what is happening
to some of our priest. Satan is very active and stealing their souls.

Published by: steve abril
tamarac,FL. 07/02/2009 03:18 PM EST

MR.(sic) Farrow just convinced me to join the K O C at my parish

Published by: Paul Nichols
Natick, Mass. 07/02/2009 03:02 PM EST

GOD Bless the Knights of Columbus!

Published by: Paul Nichols
Natick, Mass. 07/02/2009 03:01 PM EST

What do I say about this sad situation. Since when does a Catholic priest have the right to go against church teaching and put out his own agenda. Gay priests who go against the teachings of our church should be removed. They do not belong in the church. This makes me and many others I know very angry.

Published by: Frank
Vancouver, BC, Canada 07/02/2009 02:27 PM EST

There should be zero tolerance for any kind of homosexual activism on the part of priests and religious. Period.

Published by: Adam
Grand Rapids 07/02/2009 01:59 PM EST

I love the smell of dissenting, rogue, Sodomy-loving priests in the morning. More room for the good guys that truly want and live a Christ-centered life to be true leaders of the Church. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, indeed. Thy Kingdom Come.

Published by: Tom Schreiner
Westfield, N.J. USA 07/02/2009 01:28 PM EST

Apparantly, the former Priest wants to benefit himself, while financially hurting others.

Published by: DJM
San Diego, CA USA 07/02/2009 01:19 PM EST

God bless the Knights of Columbus.

Pray for Fr. Geoffrey Farrow and all Priests. The enemy knows if he can get a Priest, he can also take many souls with him.

Thank you, Knights of Columbus and keep up your good work. God bless you all.

Published by: Kathleen
Bronx NY, USA 07/02/2009 01:07 PM EST

Isn't a conspiracy to maliciously bankrupt a charitable organization criminal? Mr. Farrow's proposal certainly displays all the signs of a bias crime too.

Published by: S.K. Richard Coleman
Port Hueneme, CA 07/02/2009 12:57 PM EST

Farrow (he doesn't deserve the title of Fr.) should be excommunicated. He took a vow to uphold the teachings of the Church not modify or change. Same for dignity USA, if you don't believe in the Church's teachings then pray to Our Lord for guidance and if that doesn't come "start your own religion". Ours was formed 2000 yrs ago with the teachings of Christ and the guidance the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles.

Published by: Michael
Benicarlo-Spain 07/02/2009 12:46 PM EST

our sick world,last days are here........St. Michael defend us in battle.............

Published by: Raymond Peringer
Toronto Canada 07/02/2009 12:44 PM EST

Geoffrey Farrow not only fails to understand Church teaching, he seems unaware of the law against theft.

The Knights of Columbus are not the Catholic Church. To take their money is stealing. Farrow is obviously venting a closet grievance against the KofC.

He goes totally off the rails when speaking of "marriage equality." There is no such thing. Homosexual couples simply do not qualify for marriage as society has know it for thousands of years.

Media coverage to the contrary, it is homosexualist activists who are in attack mode, not those defending traditional marriage, such as the Knights.

It is to marvel how such a small minority, estimated at five of six per cent of the population, can garner such publicity, even when advocating censorship, excluding someone from Church property, and using their money to further a private agenda.

Published by: Seth
United States 07/02/2009 12:44 PM EST

This scares me, it scares me that we can't even turn to our clergy for good clean catholic doctrine. Firstly the K of C have done many grat things for the Church in America so it is baffling that this rogue Priest, who obviouly does not belong being a priest, should advise against them because they are IN ACCORDANCE TO THE CHURCH'S TEACHINGS! And what happened to this priest vows of OBEDIENCE, he si obedient to his Bishop, if the Bishop advises against gay marriage, like the CHURCH teaches, so to must the priest comply to that wish! It just gets me so angry that so many of the clergy have gone rogue, if you don't like what the Church teaches, don't become a priest. This is why as Catholics we need to learn our faith, using the Catechism of the Catholic Church. My theory is, if the clergy can't be trustd to give us good Catholic doctrine, i'll learn it myself so if a priest doesn't give me the Churc's doctrine, I'll know it anyways. At leaset we can hold to Christ's promise that the Gates of Hell will not prevail against his Church.

Published by: Andrew Nelson
Columbia, SC USA 07/02/2009 12:37 PM EST

It is perplexing enough to see lay Catholics choose for themselves what is a sin & what isn't. But a priest is supposed to proclaim the truth. The truth of Jesus Christ which the Church proclaims, not his own so-called truth. There is only one truth. Pride & sin will always lead people away from the truth. Only with humility & repentance can we clearly see truth.

Published by: Warren Anderson
Victoria, BC, Canada 07/02/2009 12:19 PM EST

How did this character ever make it through seminary? It is hardly imaginable that he arrived at his twisted views on sexuality and lack of respect for authority over night. This man is no more Catholic than the millions of others who are merely Catholic-in-name-only. They should have the guts to live the Faith or have the decency to stop identifying themselves as Catholic. Why doesn't he just join the Episcopalians? - they need all the hands they can get to bail out that sinking barge. Clearly, giving "bad advice" of a kind that encourages Catholics to reject the Apostolic Faith and defy the Church is serious enough to warrant further censure. Since Fr. Farrow is unlikely to stop acting in a pseudo-magisterial manner anytime soon, and since he is unlikely to take a hint that he should leave, would it not be prudent to help him with that decision and give him a permanent "time-out"?

Published by: Tom
Harrisburg/PA/USA 07/02/2009 12:01 PM EST

And why is CNA giving this "rogue priest" free advertising about his twisted and harmful plan? I'm sure he appreciates CNA's efforts to help him "get the word out" at no expense to him. Satan doesn't need anymore helpers.

Published by: frjimt
pocono pines, pa 07/02/2009 11:41 AM EST

perhaps our brother might want to contact former fr. cutie to get an alliance going vs. the church that, until recently, they were a part of.

dirty work by bishops?
let us look to our own eyes for the dirty work we have done breaking down the truth in order to appeal to the masses.

st john marie vianney, pray for him,
pray for me,
pray for us.
sad, very sad.

Published by: Dolores
San Francisco/CA 07/02/2009 11:41 AM EST

Bravo to the KOC! They have worked tirelessly and mostly unheralded in carrying out the corporal works of mercy. Their mission is to the lonely and forgotten; the widows and the orphans. Shame on Fr. Farrow (and his self-focused homosexual activism), for trying to cripple this magnanimous organization.

Published by: Pete Bynum
Bedford, Texas, USA 07/02/2009 10:51 AM EST

This person, out of his own mouth, has rendered his vows worthless. This is the trend and we "shall know them by their fruits". Though the faithless be as large as the sea they shall nonetheless break upon the rock of the faithful. I am proud to be both a Knight of Columbus and of the Temple.

Published by: steve m
westfield 07/02/2009 10:49 AM EST

It is about time that "priests" who reject the teaching of the Church stop collecting a paycheck from Her. If I had an employee who failed to follow my instructions and worse yet, taught others to do the same, he'd be out the door before the ink was dry on his pink slip. Bishops, I hope you read these comments. Have some guts!!!

Published by: Stephen Pohl
Baltimore, MD, USA 07/02/2009 10:08 AM EST

"St. Paul Newman"? That was a quick canonization compared to the slow course of John Henry Newman's path to sainthood.

Published by: Greg B
Issaquah, WA 07/02/2009 09:22 AM EST

"Korten added that the priest appeared to be 'seriously at odds with the bishops' in the U.S. and around the world in his description of the Knights of Columbus’ pro-marriage activities as the bishops’ 'dirty work.'" APPEARED to be? Kind of like saying North Korea's threat to launch nuclear missiles at Hawaii would APPEAR to be at odds with Hawaii's sense of security and well-being...No? Has the bishop threatened this priest with excommunication yet? For the Church's sake (and his own) I hope the notification arrives before the holiday...Seeeeeriously. There are "differences of opinion" and then there are acts of diabolical hostility that demand a swift and unequivocal response from those charged with the Church's care and defense against wolves - especially the wolves within.

Published by: Lou Langone
Townsend, MA 07/02/2009 09:19 AM EST

It is sad that this alledged "man of God" doesn't understand the foundation of his faith. A "priest" should be mitigating rage and anger, not amplifying it.

Published by: Louis
Singapore 07/02/2009 08:30 AM EST

The most dangerous threat to Catholics are those who bring dissension from within the ranks. It would seem that "Fr." Farrow is among those threats. It would seem that he has disregarded the Bible, and Papal encyclicals to come up with his own definition of what he thinks marriage is. What is worse is that he is trying to lead the flock astray and destroy a Catholic Fraternal organization.

I think the actions of Farrow are utterly contemptible and perhaps a penalty transcending suspension needs to be considered.

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 07/02/2009 08:24 AM EST

All are one mind in Christ Jesus for the glory of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. All allegiance and obedience is to serve God in a spirit of faith as Mary the Mother of God and our Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church has done. The will of people is only the will of the flesh. The will for God transcends all fleshly desire. Self interest is self serving. Those that choose to serve God do well in their self sacrifice and they learn that love is really spiritual and not material. The devil is a self serving materialist who redefines all his own terms to suit himself. The devil has numerous disguises these days. Idolatry is the cause,the solution is nothing but anarchy. The corrupt priest will redefine God to serve his own self interest.He becomes an ambassador of hate and his intellect becomes darkened to love. The wolf in sheep's clothing finds angry discontented people to commit to his bitter and darkened desires. He eventually becomes the lord of all hopeless causes.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe 07/02/2009 07:39 AM EST

Geoffrey is having another one of his hissy fits, pay no attention

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