Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Former EWTN Priest Dave (Francis Mary) Stone Fathers Child & Accused of Sexual Abuse

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theedavestone
After years of being in hiding and living a "life off the rock," former priest Dave Stone who went by "Father" Francis Mary Stone, MFVA of EWTN has surfaced once again. As with many priests who leave the priesthood out of lust, Stone is in the news in a negative light.  He is going through a big divorce with the mistress Christina Presnell who led him away from the Church and EWTn and has even fathered a child.

Moreover, he is being accused of sexually abusing his own child. Stone, 54 denies the allegations.  He is accused of penetrating his son's anus with his finger causing the boy to defecate due to the size of the finger causing the inferior anal nerves to trigger  peristaltic waves forcing the feces out. Stone was arrested on October 9, 2013 and was out on a $150,000 bond.  Clinical psychologist Alan Blotcky who evaluated both Stone and his ex-wife Christina Presnell wrote in a reported, "Dave's psychological evaluation does not even hint at a person who is capable of abuse. It is implausible.  Stone is fully capable of being a healthy and competent parent."

David Lawrence Stone met Christina Presnell in 1998 when she worked at EWTN.  He was a freshly ordained priest and became a spiritual adviser and confessor to her.  The relationship became flirtatious eventually leading to a sexual one in 2001.  Both kept the relationship a secret until Presnell became pregnant.  She was fired in 2008 by EWTN and stone (Fr. Francis Mary Stone at the time) was put on leave of absence until he announced that he would be re-evaluating his vocation. Presnell has other children from previous relationships.

The situation is disturbing indeed and shows why men considering the priesthood must go through heavy discernment before considering a vocation to the priesthood. Dave Stone when he was "Father Francis" seemed like he was hiding something.  I recall seeing him at a March for Life in Washington DC and he did not say hi to anyone around him. Some recognized him and said hi and he just looked slightly nervous and serious.  It is unfortunate that EWTN has faced many wayward vocations. Other priests have left the Missionaries of Eternal Word.  Both Fathers John Klobucar and Augustine Mary left.  John went on to marry and Augustine (now Fr. James Hedderman)is now a diocesan priest is working in the Diocese of Birmingham. He is serving at Good Shepherd Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Other friars also left, including brother Rafael who was a tall heavy set friar often serving as a lector.

Stories like this can affect the faith of some, but it should not.  Human beings are weak. We all fall, sin, make mistakes etc. The disciples had their share of human weakness recorded in the Gospel. We must pray for one another and pray for those considering a vocation and those who answered one. Being ordained or taking vows does not make one perfect or impeccable. It is sad Dave Stone chose this life, but he is an adult and must now reap what he has sowed. His life was not on the rock and now is on sand. Let us keep him, the friars who left, Corapi, Alberto Cutie and others in our prayers. They may have abandoned God and the Catholic Church, but God has not abandoned them.






UPDATE June 1, 2016:

Stone was found not guilty by a jury of his peers, see: http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/05/jury_decides_on_child_abuse_ch_1.html


Update: 2022

10 comments:

  1. This is terribly uncharitable. I well remember when this went down, during the filming of Bella. He meant to help a damsel in distress but got himself a distressed damsel instead. I feel very badly for him. So often in life we learn the age old lessons the HARD WAY.

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    Replies
    1. What is uncharitable? Facts are facts. We must pray for him and all priests who are struggling now as I type this.

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  2. This pervert abused his position in the church and had a sexual relationship with a member of the church. He is accused of molesting his own son. And the author still had to throw in that Christina led him away from the church!! LOL I guess accountability isn't taught in the Catholic Church. That one ignorant line has discredited your entire site!

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    Replies
    1. He is not a pervert for falling in love. That is silly. People fall in love, it happens in any career. A priest, nun or brother does not cease being a human capable of love and being loved once entering their state. I am not sure where you got the idea that "the author still had to throw in that Christina led him away from the church" from. No crime was committed, so accountability does not apply. He got this lady pregnant and left the priesthood, end of story. This has nothing to do with the Church. Your comment discredits your reasoning. First, we are called to mercy. Second, you do not have a grasp of how the Church works in regards to wayward priests. Third, no crime was done during his time in EWTN. Fourth, he was cleared by a psychologist.

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    2. I am obviously not calling him a pervert for falling in love. I am calling him a pervert for molesting his son.

      The article says Christina led him away from the church! Why was that necessary? He was a priest, superior, religious leader! He led her! That one statement is ludicrous and ignorant! Did his son lead him to molestation?

      Delete
    3. Being accused of molestation does not mean molestation took place. Moreover, this lady worked for EWTN. She had no business getting into an inappropriate relationship with the priest. Men are often susceptible to the attention of a woman, especially a single man. She did lead him away because he was fine until she appeared in his life.

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  3. This is insane! I literally cannot believe what you are saying and that your view would be considered appropriate for the church. Where is his accountability? He clearly abused his position. He is more accountable than her! To state he was fine until she appeared in his life...... I just cannot describe how ignorant this statement is. Your view here is doing the church an incredible disservice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His accountability is that he was removed. However, we must think logically here. This is why I believe you are not understanding my comment. You are thinking emotionally, not rationally. Stone has been around women of all ages since he was at EWTN since both men and women work there. It was not until this particular lady came into his life that he changed. Do you understand now? It is not rocket science.

      Delete
  4. Wow. I truly hope they all have found peace and are in Gods tender loving care.

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  5. So where's the story that he was found not guilty? Oh that right, hypocrites don't want that. They want scandal. Here, allow me: http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/05/jury_decides_on_child_abuse_ch_1.html

    ReplyDelete

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