Following up last week’s excommunication of Fr. Ray Bourgeois for his participation in women’s ordination ceremonies, word comes down that Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix has excommunicated Lifeteen Founder Dale Fushek and another, Mark Dippre.
Fushek and Dippre, those who follow the story might recall, have established their own “praise and worship” center in Mesa.
Two Valley Catholic priests, Monsignor Dale Fushek and the Rev. Mark Dippre, have been excommunicated by Bishop Thomas Olmsted for defying his order to not engage in public ministry, an activity that was deemed out of accord with the Roman Catholic Church.
Thirteen months ago, the priests, who had served together in the 1990s at St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa, founded the nondenominational Praise and Worship Center, which meets Sundays at the Fiesta Fountains Reception Center, 1316 S. Longmore, Mesa.
Fushek was put on paid leave of absence in late 2005 after he was indicted on 10 misdemeanors related to sexual misconduct across almost a decade while he led the Life Teen program.
The Diocese of Phoenix Monday made public the bishop’s order. The statement, posted on the diocesan Web site (diocesephoenix.org), said, “Fushek and Dippre have incurred the censure of excommunication because they have chosen to be in schism with the Catholic Church by establishing and leading an opposing ecclesial community known to the public as the Praise and Worship Center.”
The statement said the two men had “consistently refused to comply with explicit directions by Bishop Olmsted to discontinue engaging in public ministry.”
The two priests were informed by letter a week ago of the bishop’s action and given a week to respond before the diocese would make it public, said Jim Dwyer, diocesan spokesman. He said, for more than a year, the bishop has sought reconciliation with the two men in asking them to abandon the ministry that regularly draws 250 to 300 each Sunday to the services. Fushek and Dippre speak at the 90-minute services that are rich in music, but do not include religious sacraments like communion or baptism. The pastors have repeatedly said their services are not to be considered as “Catholic” in any way.
Dwyer, on Monday, said the action was taken in consultation with the Vatican.
“As excommunicated priests, Fushek and Dippre cannot participate in the celebration of the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist or in any other ceremonies of worship,” the decree said. “They are also prohibited from celebrating or receiving any of the sacraments.” They will also forfeit the “benefits of dignity, office or any function they previously acquired in the Catholic Church.” That would include Fushek’s honorary title of “monsignor.”
The decree said the bishop continues to express his “grave concern for Catholics who may be misled or confused by the actions” of the two clergymen.
“They always claim that they are not doing something in opposition to any denomination, but they are always holding their worship services at a time that coincides with a lot of Catholic Masses,” Dwyer said. The center’s services begin at 10 a.m. Sundays.
No one can claim that all of those excommunicated by the Church are of the same stripe. There are many ways to sever one’s ties with the Church.
Fr. Dale was a very gifted speaker and his ego got the better of him. He continues to be a prima donna. Instead of pointing to Christ, he is the mediator with God. The people that continue to follow him are like the people in England–why do the people in England have an expensive figurehead like the monarchy–because they want one! Why did the Israelites make a golden calf?
Clayton, here’s one way …
have sexually suggestive and inappropriate relationships with minor boys. deny any wrongdoing. get arrested. when the new bishop comes to town and removes you from your parish and as vicar, start a non-demoninational worship center with a close priest friend. when the bishop asks you to stop having religious services with several hunderd former parishoners, ignore him no and keep on preaching.
I’m sure there are others.
AMEN!
I have known of the self importance of this man for many years. He has lead many astry from the Church. I am SO relieved that B.Olmstead was sent to Phoenix to clean it up. The corruption was enough to have me leave four years ago. From evil there can come good? Scary that so many could be taken in by this man and his movement.
Where does this leave Life Teen?
Fushek has not been associated with Lifeteen for years.
Fushek hasnt been involved with Lifeteen for years due to his legal troubles.
Lifeteen is in good standing, and is a very great ministry for teens.
Indeed, where does this leave LifeTeen? Back in the 90’s I helped run a LifeTeen program for a parish. Over the years I used many of their materials. I know of many parishes in our area that use LifeTeen currently. Many good things have been done and are being done by LifeTeen. However, what I found was that everything seemed to rely on the charisma of the priest. If the priest was not charismatic enough (in the secular sense), then the program never seemed to take off. The program, while claiming to put the Mass at the center of everything, also promoted various liturgical abuses. Several years ago all LifeTeen parishes were asked to stop having the youth come into the sanctuary for the Eucharistic prayer. I also think that the type of music inspired by LifeTeen has more entertainment value than liturgical purpose. This is not the Steubenville type praise and worship, but the electric guitar, drums type of thing that gets kids hyped up. It never drew the kids deeper into the Mass. Many of the teens quit going to Mass when they left for college because they did not find an exciting liturgy offered for them. Maybe this entire affair will cause us to rethink the approach many are taking to youth ministry.
This is a sad situation indeed. However, I actually believe that this disobedience started way back at the time that LifeTeen was founded. I had viewed the materials and the videos they produced to introduce the program to those interested in it. So much of their statements on the liturgy, the church space, and misquoting of Vatican II really surprised me. Most egregious were the “gathering around the altar” and the ending of the Mass “the Mass never ends”. If they wanted these adaptations approved, I would have been fine. But, they never did this. They simply ignored the General Instructions by presupposing the allowance for “teen masses” meant they could do whatever they wanted.
If one is disobedient is small things, they will be disobedient on other things. Thus, ignoring the order to stop being in public ministry, the order to not function outside the norms of the church for praise and worship.
They became protestants in the end because they ignored their vocation as a priest and their promises of obedience to the bishop and their successors.
This is very sad for them and also for the whole body of the Church as we feel their sins.
May God lead them back home!
Hey all, I have a couple of comments and questions.
First from what I’ve read I took a rather gut dislike for Dale Fushek, assuming what I read is true. So I’m no fan of his. But speaking generally, what did he do to that made his group schismatic other than to meet at the same time as Mass? I don’t say this to defend the man but out of curiosity as to what is schismatic. If I set up a prayer group on a Sunday morning, would that make me a schismatic? I’ve got to say that doesn’t seem to meet my definition of schism. There must have been a lot more in his actual teaching that brought all this on. Perhaps a lot of what he did wrong was just specific to his case and not applicable to others. I know that he was suspended from his priestly duties. Maybe what made his actions schismatic was the he had been ordered to cease his pastoral duties. I guess I’m of the conclusion that this article here did not fully explain all the problems that Dale Fushek caused by creating his own group.
My other concerns are about Life Teen. Blake echoes what have been my concerns about this all along – that it fosters liturgical abuse, and that it’s popularity with the kids will fade as they get a bit older. I work with teenagers for a living and I love them. I also have seen most teenagers at Mass who are bored out of their little teenage skulls. It also was in my teenage years that I strayed from the Church, and once I had strayed from her path I was on my own path lead lead me to whole life of sin that lasted well on thirty years. If I had died during that time I would have despaired of my soul. So I know how important it is to reach teenagers. Having said that, I know that teenagers are a moving target. What they think is so cool when they’re twelve will be something that they will be embarrassed to admit that they liked when they’re fourteen. And when they’re sixteen they will deny ever being into it. So I’ve always had this fear that the Life Teen mass would be another teenage fad that they love when they’re sixteen but be embarrassed about when they’re twenty. How do we get around this?
When I was a kid in the 1960’s we had those folk Masses and they were wildly popular – at first. After a few years the enthusiasm waned, the “audience particiaption” faded and they were discontinued. I’ve also had the feeling that the mistake that was made in the implementation of Vatican II was that they focused on the wrong thing. I’ve heard that many priests thought that the faithful found that Latin mass incomprehensible and felt that the people were going through the motions and not actually participating on a spiritual level. But instead of educating people on the depth of the Mass they dumbed the Mass down. And so we went from parishes that were bulging at the seems with worshiper to parishes closing.
Teenagers are staggeringly clannish in their associations. They won’t hang out with people who are even two years younger or older than they are. So having them in their own age group to form friendships is going to do more for them than anything else. I would think they would be better served by forming teen groups that pray, serve and learn, but who also go to the same liturgy that they will go to when they’re older. We should prepare them for the real liturgy that will serve them their whole life and not just pander to their transitory tastes.
Mark: You need to read the statement from the diocese again. The “group” has not been declared schismatic. Dale Fushek, an ordained Roman Catholic priest (he has not been laicized), has been excommunicated for refusing to be obedient to his bishop in this matter.
Bishop Olmsted has been a blessing for Phoenix. He lives a truly holy life.
By the way, Blake, “praise and worship” music is on its way out, too.
Many of the teens quit going to Mass when they left for college because they did not find an exciting liturgy offered for them.
This states the problem very concisely. Like all moods, enthusiasm is transient. Build on rock. It weathers better.
Yes, build on rock, but is the rock the liturgy or is it the Lord whom the liturgy points to?
The answer is obvious, but it’s still a very tricky thing to “propose” Christ in a way so that an adolescent can appreciate Him but not so that the packaging becomes the message.
And, I think it’s a mistake to think that this vulnerability is exclusive to teenagers. I think the charismatic movement, the Tridentine enthusiasts, and the regular old attendees of Fr. Bob’s Novus Ordo all need to guard against this.
In the early 90’s, I was asked to help introduce Lifeteen into my parish. The pastor was incredibly interested in it because it was a charismatic based worship style. I went to Mesa for a conference and remember Fushek promoting the charismatic renewal. I, being a bit of a burr, asked why during one of the Lifeteen sermons the priest is allowed to eat cake. If the Mass is the center of the program, then why lead the presider to scandalize the youth by breaking the sacred fast? He said, “I am not answering that.” And I was chastised later by Fushek-heads.
And yes, we had the program but after the “cool” priest was transferred and a more orthodox one was sent, it slowly died.
But all in all, it made no teen any more Catholic. Just a little more entertained.
When it comes to Life Teen there should be a straight forward way to track kids in the program to see how many still attend Mass regularly 5 or 10 years out and how that compares to kids not enrolled. If we had that data we’d know if it’s working or not. Else I propose a comparison of the vocation rate for parishes with Life Teen vs those without the program might tell us something as well.
I was a traddy teen, so even if Life Teen had gotten off the ground at my parish, I would have found it beneath me. That said, I’m saddened by Messrs. Fushek and Dippre’s actions. Sunday morning is Mass time. Period.
MarkF asked: But speaking generally, what did he do to that made his group schismatic other than to meet at the same time as Mass? I don’t say this to defend the man but out of curiosity as to what is schismatic. If I set up a prayer group on a Sunday morning, would that make me a schismatic? I’ve got to say that doesn’t seem to meet my definition of schism.
It’s the Church’s definition of schism that matters. In the Code of Canon Law, no. 751, it says, “schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.”
The diocesan statement says, “Fushek and Dippre have incurred the censure of excommunication because they have chosen to be in schism with the Catholic Church by establishing and leading an opposing ecclesial community known to the public as the Praise and Worship Center.”
In so doing they are refusing communion with the members of the Church subject to the Supreme Pontiff. That means Fushek and Dippre have incurred the sin of schism. However, as Amy pointed out, the Church did not say “his group” was “schismatic.” Big difference.
It is only a matter of time before the group itself is deemed schismatic. After all its founders are schismatic. Catholics should not attend.
Liturgy is not entertainment. We need to drive that idea out like the moneychangers. It is more then that, so much more. The Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary. We need to retrain our people on how to worship rather then try to imitate Hollywood. Once they understand what the Mass is then this problem ceases.
Yosemite Sam – Regarding “praise and worship” music, there is a difference beween “praise” songs sung for entertainment value and those that are lead by in the manner of deep prayer. I am not advocating “praise and worship” music for Mass, but done well, it is far superior to what passes for liturgical music in most parishes. Plus, the theology is often more biblical, more theocentric and deeper. Stirring the emotions is not necessarily a bad thing, but one has to be careful. The charasmatic movement is not always careful in this regard.
-Also, the goal of excommunication is reconciliation. Let’s pray they come back.
It should be noted that LifeTeen changed their ways when told to do so– they stopped the “Mass never ends” at the request of Cardinal Urinze (sp?). At the LT “hub” parish in Mairetta, GA, the diocese bishop specifically requested that the teens cease going up around the altar. Their youth minister spoke about it in a seminar I attended. He was glad to have the opportunity for the teens to learn obedience to the bishop…and the lesson sunk in.
The entire LifeTeen ministry should not be dismissed on the misconduct of Fr. Dale nor that some LT Masses are taken to far.
Years ago I assisted with a parish youth group that was based loosely on LifeTeen. We bought the materials and used the concept for the post -mass Life Nights which were creative presentations on the Church’s teachings. However, we never used LifeTeen’s concept for the liturgy which were too reminiscent of the wildness I knew in my parish growing up in the 70’s. Pedagogically, LifeTeen has some real genius. Liturgically, it was a nightmare.
Marc
Liturgy “or” Christ? Are you sure you want to make that distinction?
At any rate, my point was that emotions are not a stable foundation upon which to build the Church. Perhaps that is why Christ instituted the Eucharist, and why the Church, in her prudential wisdom, has organically developed from that seed the magnificent tradition of Holy Mass that, far from distracting from Christ, focuses our attention on Him all the more.
It’s a great pity in my view that some Catholics have been so cavalier about this tradition. It developed for excellent and intensely Christ-centered reasons.
Please note that Maryknoll is not a monolith. I for one do not agree with Fr. Bourgeois, attributing to him chiefly confusion due to bad philosophical notions (i.e. freedom=autonomy; my conscience=my magisterium). I regret any harm or scandal to the faithful his actions or statements may have caused. Ora pro nobis.
I agree with Kristy. While LifeTeen is not appealing to me, and was not especially appealing to my children, we should be cautious not to confuse aesthetic preferences with actual theology. While there is theological support for liturgical norms and even the importance of sound aesthetics, pastors should be accorded reasonable latitude without the risk of being classified as heterodox.
While Christ is not accessible purely by way of emotion, nor is He accessible purely by way of reason. The Church allows for many paths animated by many charisms to lead to our Lord, His love, and His Church. My mother’s path is grounded in emotion and the charismatic movement, while mine is grounded more in reason and neo-Thomism. I don’t believe for a minute that my standing with God or my love for Him is superior to hers.
Whether LifeTeen is actually effective in reaching some young people who might otherwise fall away is a prudential question. Reasonable Catholics can differ.
Mike
Making a sharp distinction between “aesthetic preferences” and “actual theology” means dividing art and theology just as sharply.
The attitude is nearly gnostic. It is as if one says, “it doesn’t matter what art we present at the Mass, as long as there is a valid Eucharist.” Why stop with LifeTeen jumping around? Why not a Clown Mass, or a Death Metal Mass? The position is, in my opinion, naive. What comes into the Mass must be set apart and *changed*. Leave the secular aesthetics at the door. Sacred aesthetics are different.
To think it is all a matter of aesthetic “preference” is to inject an alien theory into how we engage with the source and summit of our life in Christ.
Sorry to worry this point. I believe it is fundamental.
It’s not so much that there is a sharp distinction between aesthetic preferences and actual theology as that what is sometimes regarded as a theologically sound aesthetic is too narrowly defined, more by preference than reason in the final analysis. Mike appears to be granting us some good faith to disagree on what that standard is. Just as there are many theologies in the church which are all at least supposed to be good and symphonic so too people are entitled a certain volition in their musical preferences (a volition, I would argue, than cannot be justly extended to much of, say, the Gather hymnal). The Church has many helpful instructions on this issue, most (all?) of which can be found on http://www.adoremus.org.
I think first of all that at least in my experience many LifeTeen kids do continue coming to church after high school. Indeed it is fair to say, I think, that in my area (Washtenaw County, MI) a significant percentage, if not a majority of actively Catholic college students were Lifeteen alums (and they also seem to be a decent percentage of our fair number of seminarians).
If this is not always the case it is too bad. Still, in most non-Lifeteen environments I’ve seen (mainly in the Archdiocese of Detroit) kids typically stop going to mass right around the point they would otherwise be joining Lifeteen. Maybe there is something worth taking note of in the program’s ability to keep kids coming during those years. And yes, maybe the program does need to be implemented in such a way that it gradually gives way to full and normal parish life (for example, by having only normal Mass for the whole parish on solemnities).
I don’t think Lifeteen is inherently liturgical heterodox either. I think it came to be in a liturgically heterodox environment and has, on the basis of its focus on the Eucharist, gradually been extricating itself from that environment. It’s worth noting that the second biggest activity they do besides the Lifeteen Mass and Life Night is Eucharistic Adoration. Getting high school students to show up for that is good fruit which should not be casually dismissed.
Allan
Nicely put.
what is sometimes regarded as a theologically sound aesthetic is too narrowly defined
And sometimes, we can also agree to say, too broadly.
Maybe there is something worth taking note of in the program’s ability to keep kids coming during those years.
We should have have zero problem with “upbuilding” experiences. It’s a pity U2 is now old hat: their music always struck a chord with me.
Whether the injection of secular culture into the Mass is a good idea is another issue.
Pes,
Have you heard of the U2-charists? I kid you not. Anglican. Masses. With U2’s music. Weekly.
Please out of respect to the Church, in your postings, ect stop referring to the two men in question with the titles Fr. “father” monsignor,” ect.
They have deservingly forfeited the “benefits of dignity, office or any function they previously acquired in the Catholic Church.”
True story. St. Tim’s, Mesa bookstore used to sell bracelets with the letters WWFDD.
What would F_ Dale Do?
Don’t think they’ve sold those recently.
My parish is heavily involved in Life Teen. We have never done a Life Teen Mass. I fought Father on that, and lost and later admitted that he was right.
At any rate we use the Life Teen materials. We just finished a “semester” on Salvation History and will be covering the Magisterium after the Christmas break.
Anecdotally I can say that we have an active young adult group most of whom grew up in Life Teen. Many of these young adults also now assist with Life Teen activities. Some of our younger alumni of college age continue to show up every summer for our mission trips. At least two alumni are in youth ministry, one as a youth minister the other as a youth music minister. We also have a young man in seminary, but I can’t site LT as a contributor to this, because he joined our parish as a young adult. He was, however active in the youth program.