Guilty by Association

As the sordid saga of the Rev. (?) Terry Hornbuckle, (a minister in Fort Worth who was sentenced to 15 years for raping three women of his congregation) unfolded almost daily in the news, I, as a Catholic, can identify with the frustration, sadness, and shame, the family and congregation of this despicable and supposed religious leader brought upon himself, his family, and his church members, who put their trust in him. It is my belief that Mr. Hornbuckle’s escapades, along with other religious leaders with the likes of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, etc., who in the past have deceived their followers, cannot understand, nor comprehend, the almost irreparable damage they have done to people of all faiths.

It seems like almost a daily occurrence while viewing the news on TV, and reading our newspapers, that we find individuals (i.e., teachers and clergymen) whom we trust with our children, parishioners, and a spouse, engaging in sexual acts with them while under their care and supervision.

Many of you have been made aware of the tremendous monetary damage and embarrassment pedophile Catholic priests have done to our Catholic churches throughout our country. Believe me, I, along with many fellow Catholics, are ashamed and embarrassed for the reprehensible acts these animals and the bishops who were, and in my opinion, just as guilty for shuffling these pieces of trash from parish to parish. These pedophile priests and the bishops, who oversaw them, have regressed the many good works of untold numbers of dedicated nuns and priests for years to come.
As a young boy, besides my parents and grandparents, the nuns and priests of my former parish of San Jose in North Fort Worth were the most wonderful and almost saintly people I ever encountered in my life. Though I have my faults and am a sinner, the exemplary lives of the nuns and priests at my former parish were role models I will forever admire and though difficult, try to emulate.

I, along with many of my school chums at San Jose Catholic School, spent untold hours with the nuns and priests at many events: picnics, sporting events, church programs, etc. quickly come to mind. Never, to my memory, did I ever witnessed or hear of any of these wonderful religious individuals committing any of the unspeakable acts some of these priests and other ministers have engaged in recently.

Sadly, the many untold works of kindness, charitable deeds, and the spreading of the gospel, by many dedicated clergymen and women of all faiths today, are often overshadowed largely in part by the sleazy misdeeds of individuals like Mr. Hornbuckle and other unsavory religious individuals. Heaven help us all!

James H. Reza
4204 Grand Lake
Fort Worth, Texas 76135
Phone: 817-237-6287 (H) / 187-454-3316 (Cell)