The First Thursday lecture series continues on Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Activist-attorney Terry Lodge presents an overview and analysis of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Mr. Lodge has worked over four decades defending anti-war activists, fighting corporate welfare giveaways, and advocating for women's reproductive rights, according to a biography provided by organizers. Some of his most visible engagements have been environmental, and his legal practice covers employment and labor, environmental and natural resources, and civil rights.
First Thursday is a monthly luncheon series, prepared by a coalition of peace and justice advocates and organized by St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Presentations take place over a soup-and-salad lunch at noon, followed by a question-and-answer session. The cost is $15 at the door, and attendees are expected to be vaccinated and wear a mask.
St. Paul's is at 428 N. Erie St., Toledo. For more information, or to RSVP with a note on any dietary restrictions, email firstthursdaytoledo@gmail.com.
The speaker series continues on Feb. 3 with Courtney Brown of US Together and AmericaCorps VISTA on “US Together and Refugee Settlement.”
• Ceremony postponed
A ceremony to elevate a local priest to the dignity of archpriest has been postponed, due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Rev. Michael Shaheen, dean of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Toledo, had been slated to be elevated during a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday. A new date has not yet been announced.
• Priest dismissed
A Cleveland-area priest who late last year was sentenced to life in prison on federal sexual abuse charges has been dismissed from the clerical state, the Diocese of Cleveland announced on Dec. 21.
U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi sentenced Robert McWilliams, 41, on Nov. 9. He had previously pleaded guilty to eight charges related to sexual abuse against children, some of whom he came in contact in his role as a seminarian or priest, according to Cleveland.com. These charges were two counts of sex trafficking of youths under 18; three counts of sexual exploitation of children; and three counts involving child pornography.
Authorities arrested McWilliams at St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville in December, 2019, and he has since been in federal custody and on leave from the diocese. McWilliams had previously been assigned to St. Helen Parish in Newbury Township.
Dismissal from the clerical state is a penalty decreed by Pope Francis, the Diocese of Cleveland explained in its statement. There is no possible appeal.
“Dismissal (or definitive and complete removal) from the clerical state means that McWilliams is permanently no longer able to function anywhere as a priest,” the diocese wrote in its statement.
“We continue, as a family of faith, to offer prayers and support for his victims and for all those impacted by his reprehensible actions. We ask our loving Father to heal any and all wounds they have suffered.”
First Published January 2, 2022, 12:00 p.m.
