Dale Fushek - Praise and Worship Center and Excommunication

Praise and Worship Center and Excommunication

In late 2007 Fushek, along with Mark Dippre, who left the priesthood and is now married, established a Christian assembly called the Praise and Worship Center. Services started at Thanksgiving 2007 and have attracted between 500 to 700 people; they are currently held at 2551 North Arizona Avenue, Building #3, in Chandler, Arizona 85225.

The Praise and Worship Center is not a Catholic organization, although their website asserts that it is not "anti-Catholic". The Center's vision statement declares an intention "to bring together people of all traditions who are willing to follow the person of Jesus Christ and form a non-judgmental community of faith." According to the Center's website, "The Center is being founded by a small group of people who are searching for something to supplement their own spiritual journeys." In addition, "there are no doctrinal guidelines or mandated acceptance of proscribed theology required for membership."

On January 4, 2008, the Arizona Republic reported that the "Diocese urges Catholics not attend to Fushek services."

On December 15, 2008 the Bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. Olmsted, issued a decree of excommunication against Fushek and Dippre:

Fushek and Dippre have incurred the censure of excommunication because they have chosen to be in schism with the Catholic Church by establishing and leading an opposing ecclesial community known to the public as the Praise and Worship Center. Both priests have consistently refused to comply with explicit directions by Bishop Olmsted to discontinue engaging in public ministry. The excommunications were incurred after repeated offers of reconciliation were ignored. The decree of excommunication by Bishop Olmsted declares the censure that Fushek and Dippre, as ordained priests, have brought upon themselves. The purpose of these sanctions is to reconcile both men with the Catholic Church and to preserve the integrity and unity of the Diocese. As excommunicated priests, Fushek and Dippre cannot participate in the celebration of the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist or in any other ceremonies of worship. They are also prohibited from celebrating or receiving any of the sacraments. In addition, they forfeit the benefits of dignity, office, or any function that they had previously acquired in the Catholic Church.

Shortly after the announcement, Life Teen president Randy Raus posted a letter regarding the excommunication to ym.lifeteen.com, Life Teen's website for adult leaders.

This excommunication is not connected in any way with the ministry of Life Teen, as all of the actions that led to this occurred after Rev. Dale Fushek’s involvement with our ministry. Further, I want to make it clear that Life Teen is in no way associated with his new venture. Even though it has been almost four years since he has been directly involved with the movement of Life Teen, the media continues to associate Rev. Dale Fushek with Life Teen. While we continue to pray for Rev. Dale Fushek, the movement of Life Teen is in full support of Bishop Olmsted and Diocese of Phoenix in this matter. Life Teen continues to faithfully and enthusiastically serve the Roman Catholic Church in complete obedience to the Magisterium and strict fidelity to Church teachings.