AN EXAMPLE OF HOW DEFECTS IN A MEMBER CAN NEGATE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE SUPERIORS AND CAUSE APPREHENSION IN ALL THEIR PLANS.
Despite the goodness, generosity and zeal of the majority of Oblates, there were a few who did not measure up to the demands of their vocation. One of these was the 24 year-old Father Leopold Carles, who had caused havoc in Corsica throughout his first year of priesthood. I quote from the correspondence because it gives us a glimpse of how Eugene handled difficulties within the Congregation.
Yvon Beaudoin writes about this young man:
Immediately after his ordination, he was sent to the major seminary of Ajaccio as professor of philosophy. Hardly had he set foot in the house when Father Moreau, the superior, sent him to Vico and wrote the Founder to inform him that this priest could not remain in the house, “that he be changed is a question of life or death for the students.” As a result, on October 5, the Founder wrote to Father Semeria at Vico:
Even though I am extremely put out over the solution we had to take in regard to Father Carles, for the time being I will leave him with you at Vico, it being understood that he will work better there than elsewhere at correcting his difficult character and will not in any way disturb the peace and tranquility that, thanks be to God, are the rule in your house. On that point, I recommend that you let him get by with nothing.
How could it happen that, just after ordination and having just arrived at the task assigned to him, how could he have shown himself so defective in character that his superior should fear damaging the reputation of the Congregation were the seminarians to see him just as he has shown himself to be.
I cannot tell you just how much pain this misfortune has caused me. This is an example of how defects in a member can negate all the arrangements made by the superiors and cause apprehension in all their plans.
Letter to Father Etienne Semeria, 5 October 1843, EO X n 818
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I have to admit that my first reaction is to wonder what Father Carles had done that could be so dangerous for the young seminarians who were his students. To dwell on just that would lead me into all sorts of questions and possible judgements – not just levelled on Fr. Carles but on his superiors and perhaps Eugene himself.
So instead I ponder the decision to move Fr. Carles to Vico which is approximately 50km from Ajaccio and continue teaching was not taken lightly. It was done not to ignore or hide a wrong, but rather to protect the young seminarians and at the same time offer Fr. Carles the opportunity to take a good look at himself.
I cannot forget how Eugene would serve the prisoners, bringing the Good News and sacraments to them, even those who were condemned to die. But with Fr. Carles having seemingly duped all of them and only showing his true colours once he was ordained we see Eugene’s pain and consternation when he is made aware of the truth. He did not immediately condemn Fr. Carles, but he did indicate that he hoped that Fr. Carles would decide which road he would take. These actions were for the good of the community – they were not in retaliation of Fr. Carles’ sin.
I think for a moment of how Jesus never condemned the person but only their sins. Even in the case of Judas Jesus did not condemn him which it would seem to have been perfectly reasonable considering what Judas was about to do to him.
All the times in my life that I have been forgiven, by those who love me, who are my friends and most importantly by God. Never has God said to me “that’s it – your actions are too egregious, and I am done with you”. Love tramples on that kind of death – Eugene knew this intimately because he never forgot his own personal conversion with Jesus on the cross.