Fr Thomas P. Doyle, OP, Barred from Offering Legal Representation in St Louis

From the St Louis Review:

As the chief shepherd of the Church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I have the duty and moral obligation to uphold the teachings and practices of the Catholic Faith. Those teachings include the obligation of a bishop to safeguard the legal processes under which the Church operates. The decree of extra-judicial Adjudication that is printed in this week’s edition of the Review is one of many steps I have been obliged to take in the matter surrounding the situation involving the board of St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation. Upon consideration of the facts and circumstances, it is my judgment that Father Thomas P. Doyle, OP, a priest and canon lawyer, has failed to represent two members of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation board properly or effectively in connection with intra-Church legal matters.

Canon law requires a process by which to address issues of internal Church discipline, faith, and Church organization, which are involved with ecclesiastical rule, custom and law. As part of that process, I have issued the Decree, under which Father Doyle is obliged to repay any money he may have received from the two board members. Additionally, I am informing Father Doyle that, with the decree, he will not be allowed to represent anyone in any Church legal proceedings in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The archdiocese has offered in the past, and continues to offer canonical help to all board members to ensure their fair representation and due process. The Catholic Church holds dearly the idea of justice.

Please continue to pray for all those involved.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke

Source.