As a visitor to St. Francis Parish when in Bend, I was shocked to hear that Father Radloff was removed from the parish, and that he has had all priestly duties denied him. Even more shocking was when I heard that no explanation was given to the parishioners for his dismissal, that no reason would be forthcoming, and the Vatican supported the bishop in his secrecy behind the events that caused Radloff’s dismissal, even though Radloff has requested it be made public!

No one can rationalize the bishop saying Radloff remains a “priest in good standing,” yet takes away all his priestly duties, including the ability to say Mass.

It is frightening in this day and age that the clergy continues to insist the laity never question them, that we can’t think for ourselves, that we must blindly accept whatever they do. Over the years, the Catholic Church has done nothing to warrant the blind faith and trust of the laity. Even Pope Francis has acknowledged this.

This secrecy and the lack of accountability by the clergy are what allow the abuses to occur in the church, the problem that it is facing today. How many times must we hear about pedophilia, abuse of power, nepotism, narcissism, egos, power, pride, envy, greed, materialistic excesses, clergy living double lives, etc. before the church stops its secrecy?

Pope Francis has insisted on transparency at all levels of the church. However, Pope Francis is a lone voice in the wilderness. He faces a resentful Vatican curia, as well as cardinals and bishops worldwide that have been allowed to operate under the veil of secrecy for hundreds of years for their own interests. They are not about to let anyone, not even the Pope, take that away from them.

The reason for Radloff’s dismissal will never see the light of day. The cardinals and bishops of the church support one another in what they do.

While Canon Law should not be an excuse to avoid transparency when it allows harm to come to as many people as it has, the reality is transparency never has been, is not now, nor will it ever be allowed by the church hierarchy. Secrecy is the way of life in the church, and the clergy enjoy it that way. It makes them feel infallible.

Whatever the reason for Radloff’s dismissal, no one can dispute Radloff’s caring, love, commitment and dedication to his ministry and the people he serves.

By doing all he can to keep the secrecy, and not respecting the parishioners of St. Francis parish, the bishop is showing he does not share the same attributes as Radloff’s ministry.

While the bishop’s actions may have been sanctioned by the Vatican, and protected from public release by Canon Law, the bishop has won the battle, but lost the war.

This issue has created doubt, dissension, despair, anger, frustration, tension, a destructive environment, and exposed the ugly (secretive) side of the clergy in the church. It remains to be seen what impact it will have on the parish in terms of attendance, contributions, involvement and spirit.

Continuing this secrecy is destroying Radloff’s life and his mission to serve the parishioners of St. Francis. It is just one more issue that contributes to the negative attitude of thinking Catholics toward the church.

The pope reinforces that cardinals, bishops and priests are here to serve, not to be served. The Catholic clergy, at all levels, are intended to be God’s representatives on Earth. They are not God, they are not to be worshipped, and they are not infallible.

What’s the age-old question? If Jesus were here, would his actions mirror what the bishop has done? No. Jesus was a loving, caring and forgiving person toward all.

— Fred Riler lives in Issaquah, Wash.