BishopAccountability.org

Sudden move of Marysville priest upsets congregation

By John Langeler
KING
November 10, 2015

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/11/11/sudden-move-of-marysville-priest-upsets-congregation/75560242/

Fr. Dwight Lewis

As darkness set on St. Mary's in Marysville Monday night, Fr. Dwight Lewis was hustling away in a caravan - the parish's 5th leader in six years was gone.

"Right now, to tell you the truth, I want a revolt against the Archdiocese," said Jovi Estella of the Parish Council.

Parishioners said the news blindsided them.

Fr. Lewis explained he'd been told to leave Monday morning and had to be gone by the end of the day.

"We want to know why they removed… just like this," said parishioner Adriana Maldanado.

Supporters say Fr. Lewis helped unify St. Mary's, bringing together different threads of the congregation, expanding help for the homeless, and was one of many to help after the Marysville-Pilchuck shooting.

But according to the Archdiocese, concerns were raised. A review found serious "administrative issues."

Nothing illegal, the church said, but something that had to be dealt with "so parishioners know things are being handled responsibly."

Fr. Lewis was put on "administrative leave" and shuttled to St. Charles Borromeo in Tacoma, leaving a large group of frustrated followers behind.

"We are not just peons for them to tell us, OK, you do this, you do that, we need this, we need that. All the sudden when it comes to our opinion, no, we don't want to hear from you," said Estella.

Some parishioners plan to rally Wednesday at Archdiocese headquarters and on Sunday outside St. Marys.

Fr. Lewis was unavailable for comment.




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