The Catholic Weekly 4 December 2022

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 4, December, 2022 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 However, today the popular Salesian priest said he is at a loss as to why he can’t return to his role as CEO of the chari- ty he established over 30 years ago. He said he stepped down from the role in 2020 due to his declining health, but now finds himself in negotiations with the charity over his fu- ture. He remains listed as found- er and Executive Director. “After everything I’ve been through I just assumed I’d go back to work like I was before I got sick, but unfortunately that’s not the case,” he said. “Let’s just say I didn’t feel like I was welcomed back with open arms. “I have been working with these kids for 50 years, started YOTS 30 years ago and raised billions of dollars and now I feel a little unwanted. “I’m driving round in a $6000 old bomb that just goes along, I can’t even get a de- cent car. “It is very disappointing, but I will keep going because a life without the kids is pretty worthless, I can’t just sit on a farm, the kids are and always have been my life.” Long-time friend and YOTS board member Julia Zaetta said Fr Chris’ role is “to be de- cided”. The former magazine edi- tor said changes to the role of CEO over the past few years would not allow the popular priest to spend his time doing what he does best, helping young people. “The administrative role of the CEO is not where he would do his best work,” she told The Catholic Weekly. “If he does get called CEO ‘I just want to help the kids’ he will be doing the admin- istrative work - but that’s not his strength. Looking after the kids is. “We exult himas the found- er because the organisation is completely because of him and what we are trying to do now is to make sure that he can go and do what he does best, but with a title that is ac- curate. “We are currently looking for a CEO as the person act- ing in the role has resigned and I guess Fr Chris has to look at the requirements of a CEO and decide if it’s what he wants to do. “YOTS doesn’t want to get Fr Chris Riley is ready for a return to active duty with the Youth On The Streets charity. But how that might happen is not clear. PHOTO: DEBBIE CRAMSIE in the way of what he wants, far from it, YOTS wants to get him doing what best suits his needs and the organisation’s. “The board is determined to make his founder role a re- ally good and useful one as he does all of that beautiful stuff with restorative justice. “So the intention is to move from the administrative stuff and be the shining light of YOTS, which makes him much more valuable to the organisation than doing CEO reports. “As for his car, we are help- ing him at the moment find one that best suits his needs, we are going to get him a van for the purposes of those rough roads and the dogs that he takes everywhere. “Yes, he always had a driver, and if it comes to pass that he gets back to work this will all be re-organised but right now it’s in a hiatus stage deciding what can be donewith him. “Once we find a title that suits him for what he wants to do, we’ll all be at peace.” Father Chris was inspired by the 1931 movie Boys Town starring Mickey Rooney and Spencer Tracy, and at the age of 15 decided to become a Salesian priest to take care of the kids who had no one else. He worked for the charity Boys’ Town at Engadine in a variety of roles before becom- ing principal. In 1991, he left and es- tablished his own charity for troubled youths, helping them develop skills and qual- ities to enable them to regain control of their lives. Throughout his 50-year ministry, he said that while every child is different, the de- sire to be loved is the same in them all. “It really is as simple as that, it’s what we all want,” he smiled. “I was meant for this work, there’s no doubt about it, that’s why I joined the Sale- sians because of their work looking after disadvantaged and marginalised young peo- ple. “I just like the kids and spending time with them. “I was very tough on them because you have to be, but they knew it all came from a place of love. “I’ve been working with kids for over 50 years, I’ve made lots of mistakes, but giv- en the opportunity I’d do it all again.” I n this edition News Books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-13 10-11 25 28-29 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 Adam Wesselinoff (02) 9390 5400 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. 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