The recent cancellation of a young orthodox priest just over a week ago, has reignited outrage in the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, where Bishop Timothy Doherty’s leadership since 2010 is accused of silencing five traditionalist priests over the course of five years—a striking 6.7% of the diocese’s 75 priests. These actions, including suspensions and crushing reassignments, target those favoring orthodoxy, drawing parallels to Cardinal Blase J. Cupich’s tactics. The 2020 “Uniting in Heart” initiative, reassigning ~90% of priests, devastated parishes, while surveys reveal deep distrust. Doherty’s pivot to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, where two traditional seminarians were dismissed, and his mandatory resignation at age 75 fuel tensions. It would not be surprising that these cancellations have bred paranoia among priests, who likely distrust each other fearing informants report to Bishop Doherty. The diocese is in a fractured state where distrust breeds discontent.
A Diocese Under Strain
The Diocese of Lafayette, serves nearly 75,000 Catholics across 25,000 square kilometers with 75 priests. A clergy decline from 154 in 1990 to 129 by 2010 forced Bishop Doherty to recruit priests from Nigeria and Mexico. In 2020, the “Uniting in Heart” initiative reassigned ~90% of priests to new parishes, costing parishes dearly. The chancery enforced a speech code banning criticism, fostering fear. Parishioners called it a “gut punch,” lamenting lost bonds they had long established with their pastors and associate pastors. A 2024 Red Wolf Report survey revealed declining vitality, financial strain, and distrust, with one respondent stating,
“And THIS is what Uniting in Heart actually is: decline management. Cut away all the brochures and hype and look at what it actually does. After four years, they can’t hide it anymore. It was only ever designed to do one thing: close churches. Consolidate. Close. Repeat. These are the true “pillars” of Uniting in Heart. And, if allowed to continue, our diocese itself will face suppression and consolidation with neighboring dioceses.”
The 2023 Complicit Clergy Bishop Trust Survey, with 5,782 responses, gave Bishop Doherty a trust score of 1.80 and orthodoxy score of 2.15 (out of 5), ranking him among the lowest, with 63% distrusting him and 47% viewing him as unorthodox. Bishop Doherty’s pivot to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary saw two traditional seminarians dismissed and placed on a “pastoral year”; fortunately one emerged from that pastoral year and transferred to a new seminary, but the other left formation unable to withstand the scrutiny. The silencing of five priests—6.7% of the clergy (5/75)— including the young priest’s recent cancellation, has sown paranoia among the priesthood, eroding fraternal trust. On September 29, 2025, Doherty will turn 75, and submit his resignation to Pope Leo XIV under Canon 401 §1, though acceptance is uncertain. What kind of bishop will replace Bishop Doherty?
The Case of the Overburdened Priest
And then the egregious case of a very orthodox priest that left the priesthood altogether. A brilliant cannon lawyer, he would frequently offer the Traditional Latin Mass prior to the restriction’s of Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio which Bishop Doherty enforced. Very unfortunately, this priest was assigned six different parishes to pastor in two different time zones. He only had one associate pastor. The mind can hardly comprehend how a priest could manage this and yet he did this under the infamous and dastardly “Uniting the Heart Plan” conceived by Bishop Doherty. Not only what they did to this priest punitive, but abusive, especially given Bishop Doherty’s strict enforcement of Traditionis Custodes, suppressing all Latin Masses. The recent cancellation of a young priest, known for orthodox leanings, underscores this pattern, intensifying fears among clergy.
A Cardinal Cupich Apprentice
Bishop Doherty’s critics liken him to Cardinal Cupich, who scored lower in the 2023 Complicit Clergy survey (trust: 1.13, orthodoxy: 1.54). Cupich faced backlash for discouraging anti-abortion vigils and limiting prayers like the Prayer to St. Michael. In 2022, he reportedly planned to expel the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest from Chicago. While Cardinal Cupich’s actions are liturgical, Bishop Doherty’s are administrative, using reassignments, suspensions, and seminary dismissals. Alleged ties to Cardinal Cupich through a Catholic health organization fuel speculation. The 6.7% of priests silenced, one driven away, and two seminarians dismissed amplify accusations of a “Stalinist” approach.
Broader Implications
Bishop Doherty’s actions—silencing five priests, reassigning 90% of clergy, and using a woke seminary to drive away two seminarians—reflect tensions between tradition and modernization. The Red Wolf Report survey decries a “culture of secrecy,” with one comment stating, “Our beautiful way of parish life has been destroyed for what?” The Complicit Clergy survey’s low scores highlight distrust and perceived unorthodoxy. The Kenrick-Glennon dismissals and recent priest cancellation suggest a strategy to filter out traditionalists, fostering paranoia as priests likely suspect each other of informing to Bishop Doherty. The “Uniting in Heart” damage have sparked calls from laity for defunding, reflected in the comments posted on Red Wolf. Parishioners, feeling betrayed, seek worship elsewhere. Is it any wonder that the diocesan fundraising campaign from 2019 to the present has seen a 40% drop?
Awaiting Word from Pope Leo
As Bishop Timothy Doherty’s tenure in Lafayette comes to an end (perhaps soon with his resignation submitted on September 29, 2025, at age 75) the diocese stands at a crossroads. Pope Leo XIV’s decision on accepting the resignation and appointing a successor will shape its future. The faithful, shaken by the silencing of five priests (6.7% of clergy), including a young priest on July 7, 2025, the “Uniting in Heart” upheaval, yearn for a bishop who can restore trust. A new shepherd, balancing respect for tradition with pastoral care, could heal divisions, rebuild priestly fraternity eroded by paranoia, and renew parish vitality. The faithful pray that Pope Leo XIV will appoint a compassionate leader to guide Lafayette toward unity and fidelity. Pray this happens. Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in you.