Keywords by David Yonke

This story ran in the Australian newspaper and just came to my attention. Please read the last paragraph, which refers to the Robinson case. -- David
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Priest was a killer: victim

By Gary Hughes

May 26, 2006 12:15am

THE Catholic Church has accepted as substantially true allegations that a Melbourne priest took part in satanic rituals in which a number of people were murdered.

The Melbourne Archdiocese paid $33,000 to the man who made the allegations as compensation for the repeated sexual and physical abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of the priest.
According to documents obtained by NEWS.com.au, the Archdiocese's independent sexual abuse investigator, barrister Peter O'Callaghan, QC, described the details of the ritualised murders and sexual abuse provided by the victim as "extraordinary".

"...but I have no reason or justification for doubting his credibility," Mr O'Callaghan said in a letter to the victim's lawyers in October, 2000.

Contrite: George Pell's apology to the victim

Earlier, in a formal interview with the victim, Mr O'Callaghan said he was satisfied the man was telling the truth.

"I see no reason why I shouldn't accept what you say," he said, according to the transcript of the meeting. "Amazing as it is, I accept it."

The Melbourne Archdiocese's Vicar General, Monsignor Les Tomlinson, told NEWS.com.au that the independent investigator advised Victoria Police about the allegations when he first learned of them in 1999.

He was told the victim had already notified police he had been sexually abused "and was a witness to murder".

"The police advised that inquiries had been made with the homicide squad and their missing persons records and intelligence was unable to confirm the allegations and that there was no current investigation into the matter," Monsignor Tomlinson said.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the force was checking its records for details on the notifications it received before deciding whether it could comment on the case.

In a sworn statement given to the Archdiocese in November 1999, the victim said he was first abused as an 11-year-old by the priest in Melbourne in the early 1960s, while serving as an altar boy at the Sacred Heart Church in Sandringham and attending a Catholic school.

The abuse continued for three years and included being repeatedly sexually and physically abused during what appeared to be satanic rituals by the priest and others. He said the priest, who has since died, owned at least one firearm.

In his statement the 56-year-old victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave details of at least three deaths - a young woman, a young man and a young child - that occurred during the rituals over a number of years.

Two victims had their throats cuts and a third was killed with an axe. The bodies were mutilated and partly dismembered after the killings. In his statement, the victim says the victims appeared to have been drugged before being killed.

"I have some gruesome memories of killings," the victim said. "I still feel totally overwhelmed and blown away when I recall these incidents. All these memories are extremely traumatic."

Animals, including cats, were also killed during the rituals.

"I remember being told loudly and forcibly that God is evil and Satan is good and Satan is more powerful. On another occasion I was told that good is evil and evil is good and that Satan is all powerful and has control over the earth, and that I am evil and that is good," the victim said in his statement.

Some of the rituals, the victim said, took place in an old house owned by the Catholic Church in Sandringham on the site where the new Sacred Heart Church now stands.

Monsignor Tomlinson said he was not aware of any similar allegations having been made to the Melbourne Archdiocese.

The independent compensation panel made a $33,000 ex gratia payment to the victim in March 2001 after his claims had been investigated by Mr O'Callaghan. The Archdiocese is still paying for psychological counselling for the man, who has been diagnosed by a psychiatrist as suffering from complex post traumatic stress disorder "as a result of experiencing multiple traumatic events" in childhood.

In accepting the compensation payout, the victim had to agree not to take further legal action against the Archdiocese.

The victim said he had decided to speak out following publicity surrounding the recent trial in the United States of Catholic priest Gerald Robinson, who was found guilty of the ritualised murder of a nun.

A few months ago I wrote a story about Aaron Shapiro, a young man from Perrysburg, Ohio, who had spent the better part of 2007 in Sudan, reporting on churches destroyed during the African country's 20-year civil war.
Yesterday I interviewed Dr. Glenn Geelhoed, a surgeon from Washington D.C., for an article I'm writing about the Medical Missions Hall of Fame. Dr. Geelhoed is a past inductee and was in town for the upcoming ceremony and to give a talk.
At the end of the interview, he was talking about his recent work in Sudan, in the Nuba Mountain area. I mentioned that I had written an article about a local guy who was working there for Samaritan's Purse. Dr. Geelhoed said: "I treated him."
I knew Aaron had a bout with malaria, and as it turns out the doctor from Washington whom I interviewed yesterday was the one who treated Aaron when he was sick.
Just an interesting little encounter that proves that the world is indeed a small place at times.
* * *
Toledo, Ohio
April 2, 2008

I've been enjoying this season of American Idol thanks to Tivo. I've watched most of the shows with my family and we skip the commercials, cutting the viewing time in half, or so it seems.
It's a strong cast this time around and there are several people who have enough talent to be worthy winners. Last year, I picked Jordin Sparks to win from the first time I heard her sing during the early auditions.
This time around, my top choice is 17-year-old David Archuleta. The guy has an incredible natural talent as a singer and entertainer (once we get past the "golly gee, aw shucks" shy smile and head bobbing mode). His version of John Lennon's "Imagine" literally gave me goose bumps. I also liked the way he skipped the first verse that says, "Imagine there's no heaven..." I have problems with that verse myself and when Randy asked him why he skipped it David just said he liked the other verses better. Very smart of him. I think he had theological problems with it but didn't get into it with the judges, which was wise. If he doesn't win, it doesn't matter. He is a future star. You can bank on it.
Second, in my opinion, is Michael Johns, another gifted singer with charisma. The only question is whether he really should be considered an amateur since he was in a band that was signed for big bucks to a major label, then later was dropped. Other than that caveat, Johns has a soulful voice and plenty of star power.
Third is David Cook, a real musician who has come up with some innovative arrangements, in particular his total remake of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Bold and creative with a great ear, a decent voice, and genuine musical talent.
Fourth, in my rankings, is Brooke White. She has a limited vocal range but a lot of style and charm, and would make a good folk-pop singer along the lines of a Sarah McLachlan or Sheryl Crow or of course Carly Simon and Carole King.
One other thing of note is that I really think Simon Cowell is right 90% of the time, although he does not always deliver his comments with compassion. He can be brutally honest but I give him credit for telling it like it is.
I think one of society's problems is that everybody is raised to think they're all stars, above criticism, and at least Simon sets them straight.
Paula Abdul rambles and speaks so incoherently at times that I wonder if she is on some kind of medication. Randy is a pretty good judge of talent but sometimes gets sloppy and says the same thing over and over, "kind of pitchy" or "that was all right," making his comments so generic they are meaninguless.
That's my spin on this incredibly popular show. What a modern day phenomenon.
* * *
My other TV vice is "Survivor" (well "The Amazing Race" is my favorite but it's in between seasons right now). I don't really like the current cast of Survivor very much but Ozzy and James are definitely two of the most physically gifted and honest competitors ever to appear on the show. They just don't have a lot of personality. I honestly don't care who wins this season. I always liked Ami and was sad to see her go last week. She seemed like a genuinely nice woman and managed to look pretty even in the midst of those nonflattering camping-in-the-jungle conditions.
* * *
I love The Amazing Race the most. I've applied three times to be on the show and don't know what's wrong with their selection process but I've never even gotten a call back from them...
You can only apply one time with a specific partner and I am sure that each of my three co-applicants would have made a formidable team.
It really is the show's loss that they didn't pick me and my pastor -- the Holy Toledo team -- over the dingbats they wound up with last season. The only reason I can think of is that maybe we were just so good the producers are afraid we'd blow away the competition.

Toledo, Ohio
April 5, 2008

As reported in The Blade yesterday, Father Frank Murd resigned as pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Maumee, Ohio (a Toledo suburb) because he is under investigation for an alleged sexual crime involving an adult male.
You can read the article here.
The 65-year-old priest allegedly touched a male improperly in a hot tub at the Jewish Community Center in Sylvania.
The incident reportedly occurred March 18. Father Murd met with Toledo Bishop Leonard Blair on Monday and resigned on Tuesday. A letter was mailed out to the 6,600 parishioners on Thursday from the bishop.
Father Murd has been admitted to a residential treatment center.
The allegation is sketchy; police aren't saying much. The victim has not come forward to the media and maybe never will. But the fact that the priest is at a residential treatment center for spiritual remedies, evaluation and counseling is a strong sign that there is some substance to the charges.
If Father Murd had denied the allegations, based on my reporting experience as well as simple common sense, it seems the bishop would not have sent the priest away for evaluation and counseling.
The prosecutor said charges may not be filed.
It also would seem unlikely for Father Murd to resign as pastor of this large, prestigious church immediately, but in most cases would have been placed on administrative leave the police and probably a church investigation are conducted.
Those are not my personal judgments but straightforward observations based on previous incidents.
Time and the legal system will tell whether these allegations are credible.

Sylvania, Ohio
April 13, 2008

Here's part of the police report on Father Murd:

Today is Father Gerald Robinson's 70th birthday. He is incarcerated at Hocking Correctional Facility in southern Ohio.
The Toledo Catholic priest has spent the last 23 months in prison after his May 11, 2006 conviction on charges of murdering Sister Margaret Ann Pahl in 1980.
I could not let this day slip by without mentioning the priest's landmark birthday.
* * *
On a related matter, I finished my movie treatment of "Sin, Shame & Secrets" last week and sent it to the producer. I'm awaiting his comments. This was a fairly major revision of my original treatment, for which I tried to do too much. This time around I based the movie on a straightforward chronological unfolding of the plot, similar to the way my book is outlined.
As a rookie at filmmaking, I think I was overreaching the first time around. There was a disconnect, as the producer said. This time it flows well and I think the story is a riveting one.
I'm hoping he'll like it and only need minor tweaks.

Toledo, Ohio
April 14, 2008

Interesting how things can disappear, like police reports and arrest records. Especially if the criminal has the right connections.
I don't want to name any names in this space, but a certain person who was in the news in Toledo last weekend for an alleged sexual crime had been arrested nine years ago for a sexual crime in a small town in northwest Ohio.
That much is certain.
But there is no official record of the arrest. No court documents. No one in law-enforcement can remember making the arrest.
The offender was sentenced at the time to community service, after which his record was "expunged." Poof! All gone.
This brings to mind the case of Father Robert Thomas, who was arrested for a sex act in the men's room of a Toledo mall in 1984.
All copies of the report mysteriously disappeared. None is on file with the police, and there is no sign of the arrest in court archives.
Toledo Police Officer Bill Gray, however, made a copy of that police report. He knew the other copies would vanish.
Officer Gray's documentation led to a newspaper article in 2002. Father Thomas, in the meantime, had moved to Arizona where he had been a priest for nearly 20 years. The week the story of his 1984 arrest was published in 2002, his Arizona bishop removed him from ministry.
Sometimes justice has to leap a few hurdles and endure some delays.
* * *
On a whole different topic, I saw a rare sight today: a Jeep with muddy tires.
* * *
Happy tax day everyone. Hope you get yours in on time and get a fat refund. Or maybe even a phat refund?
Happy birthday to brother in law Ed. His birthday's easy to remember.

Toledo, Ohio
April 15, 2008

I just had to use that headline, corny as it is. I covered the Dalai Lama's talk in Ann Arbor yesterday. His Holiness is back there today but I'm not covering it again.
He was quite charming when he chatted with the crowd, laughing and joking quite a bit. But when he got into his lecture on Buddhist teachings, he was all business and the talks were quite boring for non-adherents. Very intellectual theological and philosophical treatises on Buddhism, spoken in Tibetan, with translation. While the Dalai Lama was talking for 10 minutes or so in Tibetan, it was hard to pay attention. Then the translator would talk for 10 or 15 minutes. So it was a weird setup. I wish he had spoken in English. He is so personable when he speaks directly with an audience.
As it was, I enjoyed at times just listening to his voice, the tones and inflections, and his occasional chuckle. Language is an amazing thing.
In my research, I found that the first time His Holiness came to the United States was 1979, and the pope was here at the same time. Interesting, isn't it, that they both are in the United States the same time now. Rare coincidence.
* * *
Covering the talk was a hassle because there was no parking for media and no place in the basketball arena to file stories from. I had to leave right before the end to beat crowd out of the venue, then drive to a panera bread. Once I settled in, I found that the wireless was down. Fortunately the wireless came on eventually and I was able to file my story -- and drink a good cup of coffee while I finished things up.
You can read my two Dalai Lama stories here:
Saturday
Sunday
Toledo, Ohio
April 20, 2008
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I wrote an article for Saturday's paper that was a tough one in many respects. It was about about Father Frank Murd and Father Tim Kummerer having been arrested in 1998 at a park for public indecency.

Father Francis "Frank" Murd

I personally don't like writing articles about priests' sexual indiscretions, especially ones that happened 10 years ago. But Father Murd was recently accused of sexual contact with a male and so this was relevant to that investigation. Father Kummerer's arrest just happened to be at the same park for the same crime around the same time as Father Murd's, and television news reported it on Thursday night, so therefore it was already a public issue.
My hope is that this kind of reporting will help the church clean up its act and live up to its promise of being open and honest and transparent.
I also believe the victims deserve to have their stories told. I am hoping Fr. Murd's victim will contact me so I can give his account. I tried calling the priests. I would be glad to speak to Fr. Murd or Fr. Kummerer and get their side of the story, if they were willing and had their attorneys' permission to talk. I don't think it's going to happen.
In addition, I hope these articles will serve a purpose in reminding priests and seminarians and ministers of their higher calling, and deter them from even thinking about committing such crimes or indiscretions in the future.
You can read the article about the priests here.
Toledo, Ohio
April 20, 2008

Couple of intersting articles from the Associated Press:

SIDNEY, Ohio — At its inaugural service, a new church in western Ohio offered a sermon and prayer — along with a mechanical bull-riding contest and beer on tap.
The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night’s first meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton.
The barroom church is an offshoot of Sidney United First Methodist Church, whose head pastor says he’s been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places. Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves during Sunday’s hourlong service, so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.
Heckaman’s first sermon was a sort of bull-riding lesson. He compared staying on the mechanical bull to learning how to get along in life.
Read more about it here.
* * *
LONDON — It’s no longer enough to live a greener life — now people are being encouraged to be environmentally friendly when they leave the Earth too.
Cardboard coffins, clothes sewn from natural fibers, a burial plot in a natural setting. Green funerals attempt to be eco-friendly at every stage.
"People are trying to think about what’s the best way to live and with that, what’s the best way to die," said Roslyn Cassidy, a funeral director for Green Endings, which provides eco-friendly funerals.
Britain has been a world leader in eco-friendly funerals for years and a source of green burial products and ideas for countries like the United States, where the trend is just starting to catch on. Over the weekend in London, those in the business showcased their products and services at the Natural Death Center’s Green Funeral Exhibition.
Some may expect green funerals to be as cheap as a do-it-yourself project, while others might brace for price hikes similar to those fair trade food.
But, funeral directors say green funerals — like any — run the gamut.
"It’s about choice, not price," said Fran Hall, marketing director for Epping Forest Burial Park.
For a concept aimed at saving the Earth by going back to basics, an eco-funeral can be more complicated than it sounds. The Natural Death Center provides a handbook that suggests environmental targets for cemeteries.
"You can take any funeral and make it greener," said Michael Jarvis, the center’s director.
In a green funeral, bodies are not embalmed and are dressed in pure fiber clothes. Green campaigners say refrigeration or dry ice is a good alternative to formaldehyde, which can seep into the water system.
Biodegradable coffins also differ from the traditional mahogany. Coffins on display included one made from wicker and decorated with flowers.
One visitor, Linda McDowall, admired another coffin bundled in a beige, leaf-adorned felt shroud, saying it looked comfortable.
"Cozy and warm are not words you associate with death," said McDowall, a 48-year-old German and French translator.
Cardboard coffins — which are as thick as their wooden counterparts — can be decorated by family and biodegrade within three months.
"The trouble is, they are a bit ungainly to use," said Oakfield Wood burial ground director Oliver Peacock. "They’re not terribly easy to handle and if it’s wet, they don’t look their best either."
Particular care is taken in how coffins are buried at eco-friendly graveyards like Oakfield Wood, Peacock said.
The cemetery was a pasture when it opened in 1995. It is now speckled with more than 1,600 trees that mark plots along with a wooden plaque.
Marble tombstones are frowned upon. Jeremy Smite, a funeral director at Green Endings, notes that shipping and mining produce carbon and that marble is not a renewable resource.
For cremations — which account for 70 percent of British funerals — a person’s ashes and the remains of the eco-friendly coffin are placed in bamboo, glass or ceramic urns.
New legislation in Britain requires reductions in the mercury content of plastics and treatments used in coffins starting in 2010. All biodegradable coffins meet the new standards.
Cassidy said small details are important for green funerals, such as using smaller cars instead of limousines in funeral processions.
"What people are wanting is to know that they’re doing the best they can both for their loved ones and for the environment," Cassidy said.

Toledo, Ohio
April 21, 2008

I just chatted with a journalist friend in Detroit who's working on an article about a transgender person who's being kicked out of a Christian & Missionary Alliance church.
The church leaders say the woman (formerly a man) chose to pursue a homosexual lifestyle, which is against their teachings on the Bible and morality. The woman says no, that's wrong. She is straight, not homosexual. She had her birth certificate changed to show she's female.
I'm glad my church has not run into this scenario -- one that could not have happened a few years or decades ago. It's only through modern medicine that such a dilemma could occur.
Science and technology are moving faster and further than our culture's morals and ethics.
What would you say if you were on a church board and had to make a decision on her membership and/or attendance?
Obviously, a lot depends on which church and denomination. For some, it would be automatic expulsion. For others, it would hardly raise an eyebrow.
I'm glad this hasn't come up at my church ... yet.

Toledo, Ohio
April 22, 2008

U2 is in the studio, working on a new album with producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. If things keep going as well as they are, the new disc should be out this year, according to U2.com.
* * *
I'm a bit jaded these days about music and don't get excited about too many concerts or new album releases. But every time U2 releases a disc it's a huge moment for me -- and for the band's millions of fans. The last time, when "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" came out in November, 2004, I went to Meijer's and bought a copy at midnight. I remember the clerk didn't have a clue about it and there were 2 or 3 other people waiting around for the new disc. I put it in the CD player of my Saab and cranked it up and took a drive out in the country, heading west on Sylvania Avenue toward Metamora. Oddly enough, as I was cruising along the country roads my car got hit with an egg. Some kids in the bushes must have thrown it. Strange memory, eh? I bought a regular CD and then later gave that one away and bought the deluxe version with DVD and book.
I loved the songs right from the start, especially "City of Blinding Lights," "Yahweh," and "Love and Peace or Else." I never did like "Miracle Drug," but that's just one song.
Anyway, I am excited to know the Irish lads are back in the studio. I'll probably go get the new disc at midnight but my beloved Saab is no longer with us... The transmission went out and it was not a good investment to get it fixed. I hope to have another Saab soon, however, and maybe I can take it out for another midnight drive to listen to the new disc. And dodge any egg throwing juvenile delinquents.
Toledo, Ohio
April 27, 2008

Strange that the Pope and the Dalai Lama were in the United States at the same time. It sure made life busy for religion journalists. I personally didn't leave Toledo to cover the Pope's first trip to the United States, but wrote a preview of the visit by talking to people from the area who were going to see him in New York or Washington.
There are 303,000 Roman Catholics in northwest Ohio and a papal visit is a big deal not only for them but for many non-Catholics as well. It's also a very positive story about a religious group that has gotten lots of negative coverage over the last few years.
To be honest, I don't particularly enjoy covering such media spectacles, because they are crazy scenes with lots of hassles, people pushing and shoving, bad views or being stuck in a "media room" watching things on TV, tyrannical p.r. people, no time to eat, etc., etc. It seems like every reporter in the world converges on the scene and a medium sized midwestern paper gets lost in the shuffle. I know, however, that readers enjoy a local presence on international events, from elections to golf tournaments to papal visits, and I would have been glad to do it.
It's not surprising, however, since I've taken four out-of-state trips in nearly 8 years as religion editor, and 3 of them were by car. (I'm not talking about Ann Arbor or Detroit, which are less than an hour away.)
* * *
The most significant thing Pope Benedict XVI did during his visit was to meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse. I can say from personal experience that this kind of meeting can have a profound effect on someone. Victims need to be listened to.
* * *
I did get the opportunity to drive to Ann Arbor to cover the Dalai Lama. With all the news lately about Tibet and China, his local visit was a bigger event than it would be normally. I'm glad I got to go and write about it for our readers. Andy Morrison took some fantastic photos and I was glad to see they got a good display in print.
The Dalai Lama's visit was, unfortunately, a bit of a snoozer, in my opinion. He is an amazing person and has a great attitude and incredible wisdom. But I was not interested in hearing him speak in Tibetan about esoteric Buddhist doctrine, and I can't believe too many people who were in Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor were interested in that either.
* * *
I wrote an article for tomorrow's paper about the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." It turned out to be a fascinating story about a documentary film, starring Ben Stein, alleging that academics are persecuted if they express any doubts about evolution or show any support for intelligent design (aka "ID").
I believe the story will generate a lot of response because people feel so strongly about these issues, whether they are for or against evolution or ID.
* * *
I played golf for the first time this season yesterday, a scrambles event at the South Toledo Golf Course benefiting the University of Toledo's Communications Department.
Our team score was pretty pathetic, but we had fun. I hit the ball well for the first time out, but found myself in the unusual position of having to make a lot of clutch hits. E.g., my three teammates would all miss the green and then it was my turn to hit. Usually I'm the 3rd or 4th best player on a scrambles team and nobody's counting on me to produce the big shot. I came through quite a few times but also failed miserably a couple of times. We ended up shooting a 78, 6 over par. Last time I played a scrambles my team was 12 or 13 under par. But I did win a few neat door prizes, including a 2 gb flash drive, something I'd been wanting to buy.
No matter what the score, it's always a wonderful thing to be out on a golf course with friends when the weather is nice. I just love the atmosphere, the conversation, and the relentless challenge of golf.
Toledo, Ohio
April 27, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI's first trip across the Atlantic as pope was a very genuine and spiritually uplifting visit, not just for American Catholics but for the country as a whole.
I enjoyed watching the Pope on EWTN and CNN as he greeted Americans and spoke at various events, celebrated Mass and at the two ballparks, and prayed at Ground Zero. He is an eloquent and inspired speaker and I would have loved to have reported the papal visit in person instead of watching him on TV in Toledo.
I say this now because I may have given the wrong impression the other day when I called the papal trip a "media spectacle." I meant no reflection on the nature of the visit or the pope's importance, but on my own experiences covering major news events. It is a challenge and a hassle to jostle with the world's media on such big stories, but I would have gladly done it if at all possible.
I did get to cover Pope John Paul II's visit to Toronto for World Youth Day in 2002. That was a memorable event and despite the difficulties covering the events I am glad I was there.
PJP2 was an extraordinary man in the right place at the right time and surely will go down in history as one of the greatest world leaders of the 20st century.
* * *
Short summer? It's 35 degrees out right now! Tomorrow it is supposed to get down to 31. The weather has been absolutely crazy. Maybe God is spinning a big wheel up there and sending us whatever it lands on, a completely random selection.
Sylvania, Ohio
April 29, 2008

I am getting bombarded with emails, some full of hatred and profanity, about my article on Ben Stein's movie 'Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.' You can can read the article here.
I knew I was wading into a quagmire by even writing this article but I also felt it was a story that needed to be written.
Without taking sides on the controversial topic of evolution/intelligent design, I believe the vast majority of movie reviews I read about 'Expelled' were so biased and twisted that nobody seemed willing to give the film a fair shake.
Funny how the same moviemaking tactics used by Michael Moore in his popular documentaries are lauded by the media.
On 'Expelled,' it looks to me as though the reviewers' liberal bias got in the way of fairness. That's one reason I decided to write the article: the media coverage was embarrassing to me and I thought someone should try to present a balanced perspective. The other reason was simply that I was getting so many emails from local churches and laypersons rallying in support of the movie that I knew it would be of interest. Sure enough, the article was No. 2 on the newspaper's website yesterday (behind a breaking news murder story).
Incidentally, my article started out as a fairly small story slated for the religion page but gained momentum as the details unfolded, winding up at the top of yesterday's main news "A" section.
Meanwhile, I'm sure I haven't heard the last of the comments about my coverage of this polarizing issue -- as friend and foe alike will keep writing.
Toledo, Ohio
April 29, 2008

Sometimes I get off track at work with all the phone calls, emails, letters, visitors, going out on assignments, etc., etc. Yesterday I really goofed because I forgot about an interview with one of my favorite musical artists, the incomparable Amy Grant. I couldn't believe it! I was waiting for her to call and then I got distracted and missed it. Fortunately, she left a message and called back in five minutes. I apologized but she brushed it off, no big deal.

Amy Grant, to me, is one of the most important musical artists and influences of my time. She singlehandedly brought contemporary Christian music to the fore in the 1980s with progressive, entertaining and, at the same time, inspirational albums, such as "Unguarded" and "Lead Me On."

In concert, she has always had a rocking band (that at one time included a then-unknown Michael W. Smith on keyboards), top-notch lights and sound, and an overall great show. Nobody else in Christian music was performing with that level of excellence and investing so much into the concerts.
To think Amy signed her first record deal at 15 -- I still remember her folky Christian song "My Father's Eyes" -- and has been releasing albums for 30 years is amazing.
I was impressed yesterday with the way she just matter-of-factly volunteered the fact that she was 47 now. Most female artists dodge the age issue even if it is a widely known fact for most celebrities.
I've met Amy Grant a couple of times and interviewed her probably 10 times over the years and she is always a great interview and a kind, considerate person. I only wish I had had more time yesterday to talk to her because she is a deep thinker and incredibly honest and transparent. Over the years, she has admitted her mistakes and the fact that she has stumbled a few times in life, but she never claimed to be perfect. Amy is about as "real" as it gets and I greatly appreciate her honesty and sincerity. I think most Christians can relate to her as a real person and a role model.
Amy Grant will be in concert at the Ritz Theatre in Tiffin, Ohio, on Thursday, May 8, with a six-person band. It will be a great show and I hope I can make it there. I'll be writing about her for the Weekender tab that runs the day of the show.
* * *
I wrote an article yesterday about St. James Catholic Church in Kansas, Ohio, but it was held because there was not much space in today's paper. It'll run tomorrow instead.

Toledo, Ohio
April 30, 2008