Father Logan returns to Sisters parish

Father Jim Logan returned to St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters earlier this month.

He replaces father Richard Ley, who has moved to a parish in his home state of Virginia.

The change brings to an end two years of turmoil in the local parish, brought on by the dissatisfaction of some parishioners with Father Ley's conservative approach. Financial contributions fell off and there may have been some decline in attendance at Mass, though Father Logan said he is not in a position to assess that.

Logan said that "there is no question it has been a very stressful couple of years," though he observed that "it was not necessarily a unanimous kind of dissatisfaction. You had some who were very supportive of Father Richard and some who were not. Some are angry with the bishops, some with Father Ley, some with fellow parishioners."

Father Logan, who had been working in the bishop's offices in Bend for the past two years, was tapped as Father Ley's replacement after another pastor who had been in line for the spot took a different position.

Father Logan had been pastor here for several years prior to moving to Bend.

"It looked like the best alternative was for me to come back," he said.

Father Logan holds the position of "administrator" of the parish, rather than pastor, indicating that the return may not be permanent.

"I know I'll be here a minimum of a year," he said. "Right now it is very indefinite."

Father Logan said that he will work to heal the rifts in the church.

"I really take that as my highest priority, to try to bring the community back together," he said.

He plans to focus on the gospel and a recognition that life must be patterned after the dying and rising of Jesus Christ and that there is wisdom to be found in going through difficult times.

There will be some clear changes.

"Tone and style is what is going to be very different," Father Logan said.

Father Ley hailed from the East Coast, where church protocols are more formal and institutionally oriented than they are in the West, Father Logan said. Father Logan himself grew up in Central Oregon.

Father Ley was widely perceived as more rigidly conservative. Father Logan said that, while style and tone may change, in matters of doctrine he and Ley are not at odds.

"I am as invested as he is that the doctrine is sound," Father Logan said.

He said he plans to ensure that the local parish is "united well" with the universal church.

The church is entering a jubilee year in honor of St. Paul, so Father Logan said his focus will be on exploring the life and preaching of that founder of the church.

For more information on St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church, call 549-9391.

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Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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