McGregor Concerned About Controversial Group

KCRG-TV9 News/September 28, 2005
By Katie Wiedemann

A community offers support to those impacted by a controversial religious group.

One month ago, 19 year-old Ashley Fahey made a sudden decision to become a sister of the Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission.

Now her hometown of McGregor is coping, and learning others in Iowa are also looking for family members they cannot reach.

People who live in McGregor are trying to understand Ashley Fahey's decision. They also want to know why the religious sect is so secretive, but mostly, they just want their mothers, daughters, and friends, to come home.

People like Vicki Lahr. Her 69-year -old mother is a member of the Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission. Last night Vicki traveled one and a half hours just to talk to someone who can relate. Lahr said, "I am looking for support, there doesn't seem to be much out there. I don't really know anyone else that has a family member in this from my area (Hopkinton, Iowa.)"

Vicki came to St. Mary's Church in McGregor looking for guidance from people. People like Ashley Fahey's family. But Ashley's family says they also have questions.

Sister Mary McCauley of St. Mary's Parish is also concerned about this new religious movement.

She says the Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission is not recognized by the Catholic Church. Sister McCauley said," This statement didn't come out of the blue, it's after extensive research and study and it's now the way of the church in its teaching authority."

With so many lingering questions about the mission, Vicki Lahr wants to keep up these meetings to provide support for those like her, who want their family members back. Lahr said, "When you try to talk to them, it's like you're talking to a blank wall. You can't get through."

Mission leaders have not returned repeated phone calls and emails from TV-9 over the past two weeks.