The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has received media inquiries for comment on letters between Bishop John M. D'Arcy and Bishop Salvatore Matano, of the Diocese of Burlington, related to Father Edward O. Paquette and lawsuits in Vermont involving the Diocese of Burlington.
Most Reverend John Marshall, now deceased, accepted Father Paquette for assignment in the Diocese of Burlington in 1972. At that time, Most Reverend Leo Pursley, now deceased, was bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Among other things, in the letters, Bishop D'Arcy states clearly that Bishop Pursley provided information about Father Paquette's past to Bishop Marshall when Father Paquette sought to be accepted into the Diocese of Burlington.
The diocese has been advised that portions of the letters between Bishop D'Arcy and Bishop Matano were disclosed in Vermont court proceedings.
Bishop D'Arcy believes that, under the circumstances, public comment on the content of those letters between the bishops would be inappropriate and unnecessary since the messages conveyed by way of the letters are clear.
