Priest who created own ministry is excommunicated
by The Associated Press on Dec. 16, 2008, under Family, SpecialPHOENIX — Phoenix’s Catholic bishop has excommunicated a priest who started a nondenominational ministry after the priest was charged with misdemeanor sexual misconduct.
The action announced Monday against Monsignor Dale Fushek, once the diocese’s second highest-ranking administrator, was a response to his creation of the Praise and Worship Center in Chandler.
In excommunicating Fushek and another Catholic priest who helped open the ministry, the diocese makes no mention of the criminal charges against Fushek. Fushek and the other priest are now prohibited from receiving the church’s sacraments.
In his criminal case, Fushek is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for alleged sexual conversations he had with teen boys in the 1980s and 1990s, assault and indecent exposure. He’s awaiting trial.
Fushek, who was initially charged in November 2005, was placed on paid leave by Bishop Thomas Olmsted, but his salary was cut off after the priest started the ministry in defiance of the bishop’s orders.
A message left for Fushek at the ministry office wasn’t immediately returned Monday afternoon.
