As you may know 530 petitions were delivered to Cardinal Adam Maidas office on Friday June 3, 2005 calling for the removal of Fr. Koehler from our parish.  The Cardinal has replied and stated his unconditional support for both Fr. Koehler and Bishop Boyea in all matters related to St. Rene Goupil.  He further identified both Fr. Koehler and Bishop Boyea as "the instruments God is using at this time for His purpose".  It seems unlikely that God would use Fr. Koehler to violate Archdiocese policies or use Bishop Boyea to demonstrate deplorable behavior toward the parishioners of St. Rene.  Rather instead it seems that the Cardinal has yet once again been prevented from hearing the truth regarding our parish by those most responsible for the inequities that have been prevailed upon us.

We are now forced to submit  our petitions to Cardinal Maidas superiors and take steps to notify various catholic reform organizations and religious editors of major metropolitan newspapers of the Cardinals unconditional endorsement of policy violators and their supporters.  We encourage you to continue to oppose Fr. Koehler as the pastor.

Peace in Christ,

The Concerned Parishioners of St. Rene 

The Text from the Cardinal's Letter is below:

June 8, 2005

To Concerned Parishioners of St. Rene Parish:

     I am responding to the material which was hand delivered to my office last week -- 530 forms indicating your request that Father Koehler be removed as pastor of St. Rene Parish because you do not agree with policies he has implemented, or the way he has handled various things in the parish.

     Please know that I stand by Father Koehler.  He was my personal choice for St. Rene's and I believe he is an excellent, hard-working, and dedicated priest.  Furthermore, Bishop Boyea and I are in regular dialogue about the situation, and Father Koehler has acted in accord with my direction and in what I believe is the best manner possible.

     I am sorry if you have a difficult time working with Father Koehler and/or Bishop Boyea.  They are the instruments God is using at this time for His purposes.  I ask you to prayerfully consider the situation and try to work with Father Koehler.

     With prayerful best wishes, I remain

            Sincerely yours in the Lord,

            Adam Cardinal Maida

            Archbishop of Detroit

cc: Most Reverend Earl Boyea

     Reverend Steven Koehler