Bishop pens letter to flock
Says:‘much of what happens in life is out of our control’

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — “So much of what happens in life is out of our control.”

This is one of the ideas expressed in a letter, signed by Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, that was recently posted on the Diocese of Gallup’s Web site. Although the letter is well-written and thoughtful, it does little to address the many questions Catholics have about the bishop’s medical condition since he was seriously injured in a July 23 incident and particularly since Sept. 27 when Pelotte made a confused call to a 911 dispatcher.

Matt Doyle, the interim communications director for the Gallup Diocese, e-mailed the Independent a copy of the letter, which is part of the online edition of the diocesan newspaper, the Voice of the Southwest, and will be included in the upcoming published edition.

“Over the last few weeks and months, much has been written and discussed about my health and welfare,” the letter’s opening paragraph states. “There have been expressions of concern for my well-being. I understand and share those concerns with you.”

“I want to assure you that I am constantly reviewing my medical care with doctors and other medical professionals and intend to take whatever steps are necessary to strengthen the course of the treatment I am receiving,” the letter continues. “As you might imagine, my health is foremost on my mind and I constantly pray that God will sustain and guide me during these difficult times.”

In the one page letter, Pelotte talked about his reliance on prayer, he encouraged his readers to “seek comfort and consolation” in God, and he thanked those who have expressed their concern for him through phone calls, cards, letters, e-mails, and gifts.

“So much of what happens in our lives is out of our control: wars, illness, unemployment, family divisions, accidents and injuries,” Pelotte writes. “However, we do have the promise of a loving God to sustain us through the difficult times in our lives.”

The Independent contacted Doyle on Friday for further comment on some of the issues raised by the letter and questions surrounding Pelotte’s medical condition.

“Bishop Pelotte is being treated locally and following a course set up by his personal physicians,” Doyle stated in an e-mailed correspondence. “We are not being kept apprised of the intricacies of this treatment, but the bishop has told us of the general nature of the treatment which includes a variety of protocols aimed at treating the myriad of injuries he has suffered.”

Doyle did not confirm or deny if Pelotte is taking medication or if the bishop has received a complete medical evaluation to determine the cause of Pelotte’s recent mental confusion since his return to Gallup.

Doyle was also asked about the progress of Pelotte’s recovery and the possible timeline of the bishop’s full-time resumption of duties. “The bishop has been present in the pastoral center on a more regular basis over the past couple of weeks. He is still on a limited schedule and there is no indication from anyone — either the bishop or his doctors — when he can or will resume full-time ministry in the diocese,” Doyle replied. “The bishop has expressed hope that he will be able to attend the

November meeting of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Presumably the meeting he is anticipating is the annual fall meeting which will be held in Baltimore.”

In response to questions about personal visits by Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and other high ranking church officials and possible requests by church officials for Pelotte to take a medical retirement, Doyle stated: “The bishop has had regular contact with many of his brother bishops, including Archbishop Sheehan, since the July incident. That of course includes the days preceding and following the morning the calls were made to the Gallup Police Department about intruders in his home. The content of the conversations are not shared with the staff. Under any circumstance the consultations would be considered highly confidential as in any other organization — public or private — where matters of health, personnel concerns or other sensitive matters are discussed.”

Pelotte’s letter can be read at www.dioceseofgallup.org.