The Diocese of Phoenix is urging Catholics not to attend a suspended priest's non-denominational services, but Dale Fushek's magnetism keeps filling the Mesa Convention Center while he awaits trial on misdemeanor sex charges.The former longtime pastor of St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Mesa, Fushek's latest service at his Praise and Worship Center is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Mesa Convention Center. His last service on Dec. 23 drew an estimated 700 people and his first service on Thanksgiving drew about 500.
"We're actually encouraging Catholics to refrain from attending. We would hope that they don't," said Jim Dwyer, a spokesman for the Diocese. "I think most leaders in the church would say your devotion should be to Christ, not an individual leader."
But Brad Kuluris, a Catholic and a spokesman for the Praise and Worship Center, said many of the people attending the services knew Fushek when he was at St. Timothy's. About 30 people stood in line after the December service to wish him well.
"I think people are looking for a style of preaching that's new and invigorating," Kuluris said. "You've seen these mega churches. People are looking for preaching that brings new life to ancient ideas."
The Diocese considers Fushek "a disobedient priest" on administrative leave, while Fushek said after the December service that he resigned from the church the day before Thanksgiving.
"It's not that simple," Dwyer said. "This is not a job. It's a vocation. It's a way of life."
He said Bishop Thomas Olmsted eventually would decide whether to initiate church proceedings against Fushek that could strip him of his priesthood, with the ultimate decision made by the Vatican.
Although Fushek is still being paid a stipend by the Diocese, "that issue is undergoing serious examination right now," Dwyer said.
The December service had few similarities to a Catholic Mass, featuring sermons by Fushek and Mark Dippre, who left the priesthood and got married.
"I think people have different gifts," Kuluris said. "I think Dale and Mark have a gift to bring Scripture and the gospel to life for us."
He said the services are drawing large crowds despite a lack of advertising and news stories noting the charges pending against Fushek.
Forgiveness is an essential part of Christian belief, Kuluris said.
"The fact that he is struggling makes him (Fushek) even more appealing," he said.
Many of those in attendance asked not be quoted by name. Some said they wanted to support an old friend, while others said they missed Fushek's charismatic preaching while at St. Timothy's and said they believe he is right to follow his calling despite his suspension.
After the previous service, the Diocese criticized Fushek for violating the terms of his suspension, which barred him from acting as a priest or engaging in any form of public ministry.
Fushek was suspended when he was accused in a civil suit of watching and performing a sex act on himself while another priest sexually abused a teenaged boy in St. Timothy's rectory. The Diocese eventually reached a $100,000 out-of-court settlement with the victim.
Fushek later was indicted on misdemeanor charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and indecent exposure stemming from his relationships with five teenaged boys between 1984 and 1993, the same time period during which he founded the Life Teen youth ministry program.
But Sandy Zalecki of Deming, N.M., who previously attended Mass at St. Timothy's, said she would attend the Praise and Worship Center services if she still lived in the Valley.
"I went there back in the 1990s and really liked what he said. When I was there, I thought he had something that transcended the Catholic Church," said Zalecki, adding that she is a non-Catholic who attended Mass because her now ex-husband was Catholic.
"It doesn't surprise me he'd go out on his own and do something," she said.
But others disagreed.
"My only thoughts are the hypocrisy involved with him," Jan Shepardson wrote in an email, saying that Fushek filled in for Rev. Wilputte "Lan" Sherwood, a Chandler priest who was sentenced in 1993 to 10 years in prison for attempted sexual conduct with a minor. "I never hear Dale's name mentioned that I don't think back to that time and it still raises the (hair) on the back of my neck."
Chris Quintenz of Phoenix, a devout Catholic said Fushek is "being disobedient to the Bishop and the rules of the church."
Thomas Cannon of Phoenix said he was shocked by so many people attending Fushek's services.
"I'm grateful that finally information has surfaced that he is who he is," Cannon said.
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