FLORIDA
WTSP
[Diocese response to the letter]
Isabel Mascareñas, WTSP September 23, 2014
Venice, Florida — The leader of the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Venice is being compared to a bully. Some priests say he rules with fear and intimidation. The diocese says the allegations are untrue and malicious. One Catholic group says it’s time for the pope to take action.
In 2007, Bishop Frank Dewane stepped in as leader of the Diocese of Venice overseeing 10 counties, 60 parishes and 250,000 parishioners.
Ellen McNally, a Catholic, says Dewane is not what she expected.
“He is to be leader, a shepherd, a gentle leader of the people. Bishop Dewane is not a gentle leader at all — he’s a commander,” says McNally.
The allegations against Bishop Dewane first surfaced in June. Ten priests from across the diocese wrote a letter to the pope’s representative in the U.S. The priests compared the bishop to a “bully” saying he rules using fear and intimidation and demoralizes priests. When the priests didn’t hear back, Call to Action stepped in.
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