No one can doubt a charismatic former Catholic priest's ability to attract worshipers, even if his legal status remains in doubt as he awaits trial on misdemeanor sex charges.Dressed casually in a blue shirt and gray sleeveless sweater, former Monsignor Dale Fushek led a non-denominational prayer service at the Mesa Convention Center on Sunday morning attended by a standing-room-only crowd of about 700 people.
For the second time, Fushek acted in apparent defiance of an administrative suspension from the Diocese of Phoenix that bars him from functioning as a priest or any other form of public ministry.
But Fushek, who was reluctant to comment, said he sent the diocese a letter of resignation a day before his first service on Thanksgiving at a Mesa hotel that also drew a large crowd. He said he's a preacher and he wants to preach.
"I don't want to stop loving. I don't want to stop sharing," he said.
During the Praise and Worship Center service, two women shouted their support when Fushek asked congregation members if they wanted the group to pray for any special intentions.
"I want us all to pray for you, that this is the right thing to do, that people will leave you alone," one woman said during the service.
Another woman said, "for your accusers, that they see the light in the end."
But most people asked the congregation to pray for sick people, as is often the case at Catholic Masses.
Jim Dwyer, a spokesman for the diocese, said Fushek may view himself as a former priest, "but the diocese considers him a disobedient priest" on leave. He said Bishop Thomas Olmsted and Vicar General Fred Adamson would consider what action to take against Fushek in early January, when they return from trips out of state.
Olmsted and Adamson could decide to initiate proceedings to strip Fushek of his priesthood, Dwyer said.
Fushek served as pastor of St. Timothy's Church in Mesa for 20 years. He was a star in the church, making arrangements for a visit by the late Pope John Paul II. He founded Life Teen, an international ministry for teenagers. Many thought he eventually would replace Bishop Thomas O'Brien.
Fushek's lofty status went into a steep decline in December 2004, when he was placed on administrative leave after a civil suit accused him of watching and performing a sex act on himself while another priest had sex with a boy.
The diocese eventually paid $100,000 to settle the suit.
Nearly a year later, Fushek was indicted on misdemeanor sex charges stemming from his relationship with five teenage boys between 1984 and 1993 at St. Timothy's. Fushek is accused of engaging in explicit conversations about sex with the boys, inviting one into his bed and his hot tub, "kissing and snuggling" the boys and exposing himself to a boy.
The charges are pending trial as the state Supreme Court considers a ruling on whether Fushek should receive a jury trial on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. San Tan Justice of the Peace Sam Goodman previously granted him a jury trial on the indecent-exposure charge.
But the charges didn't seem to matter to anyone attending the service. A long line of people gathered to wish Fushek well after the service. He hugged many of them and shook hands with others.
Some worshipers either declined to comment or were reluctant to be quoted by their full name.
"I've always looked to Dale for spiritual uplifting and support," said Jill Palus, 30, of Chandler, who added that Fushek is her cousin. "It's a rare opportunity, but it's an opportunity I look forward to having in the future because he has his new church."
Palus said Fushek has a calling to preach and should preach, despite the charges.
"I look forward to the day when the truth comes out and this is no longer mentioned," she said.
Jerry Peirce, who is helping to organize the non-denominational services, said Fushek married him and his wife shortly before Fushek's suspension from the Catholic Church.
"Just look around. Do I need to tell you? The calling is Number 1. It's his ability to lead people to Jesus," Peirce said. "He's back home where he belongs, doing what he does best."
Ed Gergosian, 86, said Fushek is unusual in the Catholic Church because he is an evangelist. He said he'd love to see Fushek preach on television.
"If I have to leave the church for him, I'll do it," Gergosian said.
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