Holy Cross parishioners continue backing beloved priest with prayer vigil at Rockford Diocese

BATAVIA TOWNSHIP – A contingent of 100 parishioners descended on St. Peter Cathedral in Rockford Sunday, lobbying to stop a beloved priest from being replaced.

Wearing powder blue T-shirts with Rev. James Parker’s photo imprinted on them and carrying signs with his photo on them, parishioners came from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia Township and St. Mary in East Dubuque.

They displayed banners of Christian martyrs and prayed the rosary in the hope that Bishop David Malloy of the Rockford Diocese would change his mind and let Parker stay at Holy Cross – or that he would at least grant the priest a new assignment.

The latest event in followed two candlelight vigils held at Holy Cross in the last two weeks and a smaller prayer session in Rockford. The issue has evolved from just Parker’s situation, but encompasses the fate of seven other priests removed from ministry, but not given other assignments, parishioners said.

“The injustice against Fr. Parker has been going on for a decade,” Holy Cross parishioner Laura Skokowski said, referring to the length of time the seven priests have been sidelined under Malloy.

“They cannot take our priests without cause. We want good, holy men. If there is a reason, then tell us,” Skokowski said. “We can’t tell any reason. Whoever thought priests would be in limbo?”

Malloy’s spokeswoman did not respond to an email requesting an explanation of why priests were being sidelined.

But in previous emails, Penny Wiegert stated that priests get reassigned as a normal procedure in the diocese.

Parishioners are also supporting Parker through a GiveSendGo.com account, not only raising money for his future housing needs, but also for cannon attorneys to fight his dismissal.

So far, the crowdfunding site has raised $57,686 towards its goal of $100,000, according to the site.

Skowkowski said the T-shirts with Parker’s photo on them were printed at cost and are selling for $20 for adults and $10 for children, with proceeds also going to Parker.

“With so many people posting pictures of him yesterday, we are getting a lot of requests to do mail orders,” Skowkowski stated in an email. “We are almost sold out.”

Parishioner Sylvia Keppel said she made 100 buttons with the seven sidelined priests and Parker’s photo on them and has ordered more.

“I should have more buttons out by next week,” Keppel. “My plan is to print buttons for each priest to distribute to their old parishes – to let them know that their priest and other priests have been removed.”