Matters Regarding St. Dunstan Parish

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Prior to a still unscheduled — but planned — presentation by the Archdiocese of Detroit for the parishioners at St. Dunstan, Garden City, on the current financial situation and future leadership of their Catholic community, a local advocacy group staged an ad hoc Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, March 29. Former pastor, Fr. Donald Demmer, who continues on medical leave with no assignment and no restrictions on his ministry, was the keynote speaker. Ned McGrath, director of communications for the Detroit archdiocese, makes the following statement:

"Considering Fr. Demmer's current status and his oft-stated fondness for his former parishioners, it's difficult to understand how Saturday's event helps him or those lay people committed to rebuilding and re-energizing the St. Dunstan community.

"It's regrettable that Pyrrhic-like efforts continue to re-hash what happened and why at St. Dunstan. The past ten months have been difficult for everyone involved. Everyone! Looking backwards isn't helping or healing anyone. As Church officials have told parishioners on a number of occasions, it's only through prayer, patience, and good will that the St. Dunstan community can and will move forward."

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