Members of one of his former communities said they doubt that he used incorrect formulas for sacraments while he worked there, and many of them recall him fondly as one of the most important priests in their lives.

“Pope Francis has said to reach out to the margins and help those who are in need, the refugees, the displaced. And we have a retreat center that has lots of space.”

Readers respond to the February 2022 editorial about how the listening phase of the 2023 Synod of Bishops should listen to the views of Catholics who have left the church.

The Rev. Andres Arango’s error was in saying, “We baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” when he should have begun the sentence by saying, “I baptize you.”

“I’m mystified by any group that would call itself Catholic that is attacking the Catholic Church and its ministry,” Sister Donna Markham, the president and C.E.O. of Catholic Charities USA, said.

Is the church really interested in listening and learning from former Catholics? Or is it only “listening” to get them to come back to Catholicism?