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Article soils priest's reputation To the Editor: This letter is written in support of Fr. Jocelyn St. Arnaud who was a priest at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Elgin for many years. Hundreds of people in the Grande Ronde Valley knew and loved him. By his outstanding Christian example and character he changed the lives of countless people for the better, including his accusers. We the undersigned, both Catholic and non-Catholic, are compelled to point out the irresponsibility of the report in the Nov. 19 Observer regarding the allegations concerning Fr. Jocelyn. This story was presented to the news media by the alleging lawyer before he had filed the complaint in any jurisdiction, and before the church was notified. By lifting it off the wire and printing it in this manner, you have contributed to defaming the reputation of Fr. Jocelyn. You have also defamed the entire Catholic community in Union County. You presented information in your story as if it were factual when it is not. You failed to investigate the allegations made, the facts presented, and you failed to talk to anyone in our community about this matter. Justice requires a presumption of innocence. Not only was this principle completely disregarded, you used sensational tactics to present mere allegations and quotes that were libelous and insulting. We realize that this story was taken off the wire, but since it is of great local interest, the way in which you presented it was reprehensible. We wish to state to the community at large our support for the moral integrity of Fr. Jocelyn whose memory we hold very dear, and we pray for the conversion of the hearts of his accusers. Signed by the following: Elgin: Gary Bottger Patrick McDonald Natalie McDonald Colleen McDonald Amanda McDonald Mary Rose Nichols Dona Schram Fortenberry Theresa Schumacher Derv Fortenberry Kristin Schumacher John Schumacher Ed Schumacher Charlie Schumacher Joe Garlitz Angelea Schumacher Irene Garlitz Maureen Smolkowski Al Smolkowski Sharon Stover Kathy Warren K. Warren Ann R. Warren Therese J. Wiles Hailey A. Wiles De'Leah Wiles Chelsie A. Wiles Bob Scott Wiles Adrianne M. Wiles Judy Witherspoon Jim Witherspoon Phillip Wyles Linda Wyles Richard Griffin Roy Howell Julia Howell Kay Hanson La Grande: Jim D. Brown Barbara E. Brown Daniel Pokorney Justin J. Fessler Jane Hamm Susan J. Harsin Douglas G. Harsin Darwin D. Harsin Mary Calder Rita M. Ellison T. William Selman Fr. Hank Albrecht Susan Selman Les Ihli Bob Cooper Teresa Woody Charlene Storoe Lynne Brown Sue Becker Rob Becker Jocelyn Berado Sarah Jane Williamson-Shoup Summerville: Vicki Correll Nelson Correll Emily Correll J. Ray Harmon Dayle Ann Harmon Sharon Woody Elizabeth Woody Tom Woody Imbler: Vicki J. Fessler David J. Fessler Union: Roger Goodman Kathy Goodman Cove: Tim Hagey Don Hagey Adrienne Hagey Wallowa: Tim McDaniel Denise McDaniel Other locations: Kristi L. Ricketts, Moscow, Idaho Chela Pruit, Glenns Ferry, Idaho Serena Garlitz, Columbus, Ohio Paul Garlitz, Medford John Garlitz, Alena Garlitz, both of Portland Brian and Ginger Afdahl, Milton-Freewater Frank Hanson, Keizer Locations not listed: Heidi Schram Denton Scott Schram Deb Horn Schram Julie Williamson |