Editor's Desk: Mystery Priest

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 5/27/04)

The opening scene in Mel Gibson’s movie "The Passion of the Christ" depicts Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, struggling with the knowledge that His impending arrest and crucifixion will inflict excruciating physical pain upon His human body. The devil lurks in the shadows, trying to tempt Jesus into forgoing His inevitable human suffering. The recurring image of the devil in the movie is a vivid reminder of the presence of evil in the world.

Two weeks ago in this space I wrote about a courageous young priest who led a pro-life counterdemonstration during the "March for Women’s Lives" in Washington (See "Descent into Hell," 5/13/04, page 4). Karen A. Torres, a pro-life woman from Manassas, attended the march with her two daughters. She described in horrid detail the venom spewed forth from the pro-abortion marchers toward a priest who was holding a crucifix and praying the rosary. Torres requested help from our readers in identifying the priest so she could thank him for his courageous witness. "Despite having the worst verbal abuse directed toward him," Torres said, "the priest never lost his calm or prayerful focus. He exhibited patient compassion in the face of unremitting hate."

It turns out the "mystery priest" is Father John K. Nesbella, parochial vicar of Prince of Peace Parish in Northern Cambria, Pa., in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Father Nesbella, who was ordained in 2002, led a busload of 35 parishioners to Washington for the march. He also serves as chaplain of the Blue Knights Homeschool Group in Northern Cambia.

His identity was confirmed by three separate sources, including Msgr. Timothy P. Stein, editor of The Catholic Register, Altoona-Johnstown’s diocesan paper, and Kathleen Sweeney, a member of the homeschool group and daughter of Barbara and Tim Murphy, members of St. Agnes Parish in Arlington.

Father Nesbella’s heroic Christian witness has inspired others who read about it.

"I just wanted to thank you personally for running the column last week," wrote Arlyn Mary Chalfant from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester. "This information is so important. I wish people would read this and re-read it. There is no doubt whatsoever about whom the adversary is — Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning."

Chalfant said Torres’ "profound testimony" about the obscenities, lewd behavior, aggressiveness and violence directed toward the priest "sounds like the devil." She reminds us that Our Lady has provided us with the rosary, the "weapon of all weapons" to combat this eveil. She added that recent pastoral letters by some U.S. bishops, in particular Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver, Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, "are an answer to prayers for the culture of life and the true teachings of the Catholic Church.

"I am so grateful to these bishops and others who are coming out clearly with Church teaching. The louder the lies in the public and political arena, the more clearly and articulately are they coming forth with the truth."

In the "Prayer to St. Michael," we pray: "St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and thou, O Prince of heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls."— M.F.F.

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