Alleged victim said he got an apology (from Bishop Hubbard)

A man who said he was sexually abused by a priest said he got a formal church apology from Bishop Howard Hubbard.

Sweringen was a freshman at RPI back in 1983 when he first came in contact with Father Charles Celeste. Sweringen said Celeste abused him sexually. He said after his meeting, he has recommendations for the church.

He said, "The first step should be either temporary or permanent replacement of Bishop Howard Hubbard. This man who has worked so hard with the diocese and deserves much praise in his work with the poor, should step down and let a new leader deal with the current crisis."

Sweringen also said Hubbard finally admitted the relationship between Sweringen and Celeste was not consensual. Celeste is on a leave of absence from his parish in Little Falls.

The Albany Diocese has not said Hubbard apologized to Sweringen, but has issued a statement saying, "We listened. We tried to help. Healing is our mission and we'll keep trying to fulfill that mission."

Priest granted leave of absence
From News Channel 9: 11/17/2003
(www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?SecID=33&ArID=47993)
By: Jessica Schneider

The Holy Family Parish in Little Falls is now without its only priest. News of a relationship scandal back in the 1980's is leaving the pastor's post -- once filled by Father Charles Celeste -- vacant.

Attorney John Aretakis said, "I can tell you that a very great many percentages of the people at Holy Family Parish do not want Father Celeste back."

Aretakis represents Randy Sweringen -- the man just coming forth to say that he had an adult relationship with Celeste.

Father Celeste is not denying it and has asked the diocese for a leave of absence -- which Bishop Howard Hubbard has approved.

Albany Diocese spokesman Father Kenneth Doyle said, "He regrets very much the choices that he made during that time frame, which was 15 to 20 years ago. It was an adult relationship. None of that makes it alright. It's not only inappropriate, but it's wrong and he acknowledges that."

At the time, Sweringen was an undergrad at RPI, a pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Just next door was St. Paul's Church where Father Celeste was serving as a priest.

Father Doyle said Celeste was not removed from the priesthood because it was a mutual relationship between two consenting adults that happened more than a decade ago. But Aretakis said there was nothing mutual about it.

Aretakis said, "Randy has said in his statement that the physical interaction between them was never mutual. In other words, it was always Father Celeste engaging in contact with Randy."

Father Celeste will stay away from the Little Falls parish for an undetermined amount of time. Doyle said it is likely Celeste will eventually return to the priesthood.

Father Doyle said, "The diocese will be in a process of continually reviewing his situation and seeing whether and when he might be ready to go back to ministry."

No legal charges are pending, but Aretakis said Randy Sweringen is waiting for a formal apology from Father Celeste and the Albany Diocese for the abuse he suffered 16 years ago.

Father Celeste was the only pastor at Holy Family Parish. Father Doyle said there will be several substitute pastors to take over the weekly duties in the church while Celeste is on leave.

From the Herkimer Evening Telegram
(http://www.herkimertelegram.com/articles/2004/04/21/news/news01.txt)

Abuse victim speaks out in Little Falls

By JOE PARMON-Telegram Staff Writer

LITTLE FALLS - A California man who was sexually abused at the hands of Little Falls priest Charles Celeste in the mid-1980s traveled to Little Falls yesterday to talk about the effect the abuse has had on his life.

Randall Sweringen, who now resides in Berkeley, Calif., met Celeste while he was pledging to the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Rochester, where Celeste was chaplain. The abuse began during Sweringen's freshman year at RPI and continued during his undergraduate studies. Sweringen also alleges that Celeste, who had presided over Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, had inappropriate sexual encounters with at least one other fraternity member.

Celeste was granted a leave of absence by Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany Catholic Diocese in November shortly after Sweringen spoke out about the abuse.

Although Celeste has admitted the abuse took place, during a press conference yesterday across the street from the Little Falls Police Department Sweringen said he wanted a sincere apology from Celeste acknowledging the pain inflicted by his actions.

Sweringen also called on the Albany Catholic Diocese to take steps to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

"I want them to take concrete steps to make sure this does not happen to anyone else," said Sweringen.

Calling himself a "deeply-closeted" gay man, Sweringen said Celeste "used that vulnerability to exploit me." Sweringen stated that his sexual relationship with Celeste left him a depressed individual who has spent years in therapy dealing with the abuse.

"I had a loss of trust in people for years, even with my therapist," said Sweringen, who is currently the director of a non-denominational Christian seminary in Berkeley.

Sweringen said he was speaking yesterday in part to encourage others who have been abused by members of the clergy to step forward. He added that he was encouraged to make his abuse public by other high-profile cases involving abuse by clergy members.

Sweringen's attorney, John Aretakis, said that victims of sexual abuse by clergy members are often silenced by those in authority.

"We will not let bishops, priests, and law enforcement silence us any further," said Aretakis.

Also Tuesday, Aretakis filed three complaints against Gloversville Police Capt. James Lorenzoni involving two rallies last fall that were held in front of Holy Family Parish protesting against clergy sexual abuse.

Aretakis claimed that Lorenzoni, a Little Falls resident, used abusive and threatening language toward a picketer during one of the rallies. Aretakis also said Lorenzoni sent a threatening email to a picketer, Marianne Barone Trent, following a Nov. 10 rally. Sweringen also filed a complaint citing fear for his physical safety in the Little Falls area due to Lorenzoni's position within the department.

Little Falls Police Chief Greg DeLuca said the incidents were investigated and information regarding the case was forwarded to Herkimer County District Attorney John Crandall. But DeLuca added that not enough evidence was presented to warrant charges being brought against Lorenzoni.

"The issue is did a criminal offense occur? Based on everything we had, we felt it didn't," said DeLuca.

DeLuca said a verbal confrontation took place during a Nov. 16 rally between Lorenzoni and David Leonard, a member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which organized the picket. Leonard was present at the press conference Tuesday.

"It was investigated at the scene and the officer's report indicated, based on the information available and after interviewing both parties involved, there would be no criminal charges. The matter was closed," said DeLuca.

DeLuca said that by distributing business cards and literature during the rallies, the protesters were opening themselves up for phone calls or emails that were in opposition to their point of view.

"Having that information distributed, they assumed the risk that somebody might choose to contact them, and the person that contacts them doesn't agree with them. And it doesn't mean they're breaking the law," remarked DeLuca.

"It's not a disagreement with the group and it's not whether or not the victims of sexual abuse deserve compassion," said DeLuca.

Still, Aretakis said Lorenzoni should be held accountable for his actions.

"Let justice play out," said Aretakis.

From the Little Falls Times

(http://www.littlefallstimes.com/articles/2004/04/21/news/news1.txt)

Three file statements over incident at Holy Family

By LORRAINE HEATH Evening Times Staff Writer (Wed., April 21)

LITTLE FALLS — Two people involved in protests in front of Holy Family Parish last fall calling for the removal of the then parish priest Father Charles Celeste were at the Little Falls Police Station Tuesday lodging complaints against Jim Lorenzoni, a Little Falls resident and captain with the Gloversville Police Department. The complaints involve an incident they say took place on November 16, 2003.

Two of the three people attended the November 16 protest at Holy Family Parish calling for Celeste's removal over a relationship with an RPI student. The third person filing a complaint was Randall S. Sweringen, the man who was involved with Celeste when he was 18 and a student at RPI.

New York City attorney John A. Aretakis, who represents Sweringen and protesters David Leonard and Marianne Barone Trent, said Tuesday statements were given at the police department concerning a verbal altercation at one of the protests.

The first protest was held November 10 when the story first broke about the relationship between Celeste and Sweringen. On that day, protesters carried signs and handed out business cards and literature to many of the people entering the church. It was not until the same group returned to Little Falls on Sunday, November 16, that a verbal altercation occurred between Leonard and Lorenzoni, who was headed into the church when Leonard approached him and handed him some of the flyers he was handing out.

Leonard alleges a verbal altercation took place between himself and Lorenzoni.

"The incident was investigated that very day, November 16, by officer Scott Beach," Little Falls Police Chief Gregg DeLuca said. "There was no indication a crime had occurred. They (Lorenzoni and Leonard) were just two people with a difference of opinion."

But on February 9, 2004 — 13 weeks later — Leonard returned to the Little Falls Police Department to file another statement regarding the incident.

One week after that, Leonard's wife followed and filed her own statement. The statements were made with the police department after Aretakis said Lorenzoni's name was submitted for a search.

"We put Jim Lorenzoni's name into the computer to do a search on the Internet and it turned out he was a Gloversville police officer," Aretakis said.

Hand-written letters were also sent to the Gloversville Police Department by Leonard, a Frankfort resident, and a past victim of priest molestation. The letters stated what allegedly had occurred on November 16.

One of the other statements taken Tuesday was from Barone Trent regarding an e-mail message sent to her by Lorenzoni. That message, she said, made her feel threatened.

A copy of the e-mail read in part, "Okay, we have had enough of people holding signs in front of our church and handing out letters from Randy Sweringen accusing Father Celeste of abuse. The priest has already admitted to an 'inappropriate relationship' with another adult 20 plus years ago. I am not interested in walking out of my church with my wife and daughters and having to be confronted by your people, quite frankly, I and many others in our church do not want to see anyone there again and will work to keep you off our grounds."

Trent said she was extremely disturbed by the e-mail and feared for her safety.

It was Trent herself who gave Lorenzoni the business card with her e-mail address. "If people do not want someone to call, e-mail or write to them, then don't provide that information to anyone," DeLuca said.

The last statement taken by police was from Sweringen who flew in from California. Sweringen is alleging a hate crime was committed against him by the statements made to Leonard by Lorenzoni on November 16.

Sweringen, who was in California at the time of both protests, said he feared for his life from those statements.

DeLuca said the statements do not fall in the hate crime category.

The chief said according to the Hate Crime statute, expressions of hate protected by the First Amendment's free speech clause are not criminalized.

DeLuca said the Herkimer County District Attorney's office has also been advised of the statements and what has occurred. "I have been in contact with District Attorney John Crandall many times during the course of the investigation. He has compiled a case folder but basically this entire incident does not rise to the level of a criminal offense," he said.

DeLuca added he has known Lorenzoni all of his life and has worked with him on a professional level.

Lorenzoni began his career as a police officer in Little Falls 21 years ago. Following his tenure in Little Falls he began working in Gloversville and has attained the rank of captain.

Lorenzoni is also an appointed commissioner of the Little Falls Police and Fire Board.

"Did he use bad judgment? Of course. Did he show a lack of discretion? Of course. Did he do anything criminal, no, he did not," DeLuca said of incident, adding that when people are out protesting, they have to expect others are not going to agree with what they are protesting about.

He said both parties, Leonard and Lorenzoni, were expressing their views, and had every right to do so.

"No sworn statements given indicate any criminal behavior," DeLuca said.

ALBANY - After meeting with Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Howard Hubbard earlier this week, a former Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student who was sexually abused by a Troy priest said he was disappointed he had to wait eight months for his pain to be acknowledged by the church.

Randall Sweringen, 38, went public last November with his two-decade-old allegations against former Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity Chaplain Rev. Charles Celeste, who also served as a priest at St. Paul the Apostle parish on 12th Street.

Sweringen sat with Hubbard Tuesday to discuss the four-year, spiritual-based relationship with Celeste that culminated with the priest making sexual advances to him in his dorm room. Sweringen discussed details of the meeting Wednesday with the media at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Albany, with attorney John Aretakis by his side.

"The formal apology I received from him (Hubbard) yesterday rings hollow because of his compromised position," said Sweringen, who is admittedly homosexual and currently lives in California. "Bishop Hubbard changed course completely and finally admitted to me yesterday that I was the victim of sexual misconduct, that the sex was not consensual, and that Father Celeste had abused his power, authority and position as a priest," he added.

Diocese spokesperson Kenneth Goldfarb would not comment on any of what took place during the meeting with Hubbard, which also included Sweringen's partner, Michael Mansfield, 46, and diocese Victim Assistance Coordinator Theresa Rodrigues. Sweringen claims Celeste abused his position to manipulate him into pulling down his pants and allowing the priest to touch his genitals.

Celeste, who has since admitted the incident did take place, left St. Paul the Apostle at an unknown time after the 1980s incident for the Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, where he took a leave of absence a short time after the allegations were made public. The diocese released a statement last November that called Celeste's actions "extremely inappropriate for a priest," but added that the Diocesan Review Board did not recommend he be removed from ministry. The reason for the decision was partly because Sweringen was of legal age (18) for consensual sex at the time of the incident.

However, Goldfarb did admit Wednesday that the case is currently under investigation. "Celeste crossed the boundaries (sexual) with adults, and that's abuse," said Sweringen, who is director of church relations at Pacific School Seminary in Berkeley, Calif. "There was an ongoing grooming (by Celeste) ... tapping on the butt, tickling, hugs (that led to the night in Sweringen's dorm room). I am not a forlorn lover. ... I was a scared 18-year-old. "I went to him for direction and brought my vulnerability to him and he exploited it. ... That constitutes sexual misconduct," he added.

Sweringen also claimed he was miffed to learn from Hubbard that the bishop was unaware of a letter sent to him on Sweringen's behalf from Pacific School leaders who were disappointed with the Albany review board's initial decision not to investigate complaints against Celeste. A copy of a returned letter from Albany Diocese spokesperson Rev. Kenneth Doyle states Hubbard "received your letter" and that the review board found the sexual relationship "involved consenting adults, each of whom was capable of making informed and responsible decisions." "Why was the bishop's team so poorly organized, with each member of the team sending me different messages?" asked Sweringen. "How could such an important letter be delegated to someone like Doyle, who apparently has a very different and ill-informed understanding of what constitutes sexual abuse and misconduct?" The letter ended by stating that Celeste's actions were not a threat to minors and did not oblige the church to remove him from ministry.

Diocese officials refused to comment on the letter or whether any of Sweringen's statements was true. Before catching a flight back to the west coast, Sweringen also said he believes the first step toward repairing all the mistakes in the handling of the sexual abuse cases of the past would be for Hubbard to resign as bishop. "He has spent years trying to do what is right and good with the poor and marginalized, yet has made some grave mistakes with respect to his management of sexual issues," said Sweringen. "Since he himself is under investigation of sexual misconduct, he is no longer a credible leader."

Hubbard has apologized in the past for his poor handling of clergy sexual abuse cases within the church, but has pledged to change that. Sweringen says he's not looking to file a lawsuit against the diocese, but he would like to be reimbursed for all the psychological treatment he's received to deal with the pain inflicted by Celeste.

From the Times-Union
(http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=241111&category=ALBANY&BCCode=LOCAL&newsdate=4/22/2004)

Bishop's apology fails to salve victim's anguish
Albany-- Randy Sweringen, who accused former RPI chaplain of misconduct, wants Hubbard to step down

By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, April 22, 2004

A 38-year-old former monk fought tears of anguish and gratitude Wednesday, a day after receiving a personal apology from the leader of the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese for having been victimized as a teenage student by his college chaplain.

Randy Sweringen said he met Tuesday with Bishop Howard Hubbard who condemned the Rev. Charles Celeste's sexual misconduct and abuse of trust.

Celeste was the man's spiritual confessor at RPI from 1984 to '87.

Sweringen said the bishop's words were healing, but he believes Hubbard should step aside so new leadership can handle the sexual abuse crisis.

"He has spent years trying to do what is right and good, yet has made some grave mistakes ... both in his personal life and with the priests under his care," Sweringen said. "He is no longer a credible leader."

Hubbard denied allegations in February that he had sex with a young man in the 1970s who later killed himself. He said it would be wrong to dignify a false charge by walking away from his post.

Days later, a man said that when he was a teenage prostitute around the same time, the bishop solicited sex from him in Washington Park.

Hubbard called those charges false, too.

On Wednesday, the diocese issued a brief statement in response to Sweringen: "We listened. We tried to help. Healing is our mission and we'll keep trying to fulfill that mission."

Hubbard has met on dozens of occasions with victims who were sexually abused by priests, and the diocese must follow church policy, which calls for zero tolerance, removing priests from ministry if they have sexually abused any child.

Sweringen made his complaint against Celeste public in August. At that time, the priest was pastor at Holy Family parish in Little Falls. He took a voluntary leave of absence after admitting he had sexual relations with the 18-year-old student and another male.

On Wednesday, Sweringen wore a purple ribbon pinned upside down on his lapel so the ends formed a "V" for victim.

He spoke of the pain he felt when he drove into the Pastoral Center's parking lot for his meeting and spotted a large sign reading, "We back our bishop," framed in a window. Inside the building, he said, smaller, lavender posters of support were tacked onto bulletin boards and employees wore purple ribbons of solidarity.

"I began to cry," Sweringen said. "I walked down that hall afraid to look people in the eye. The bishop is not the victim here. He holds the power."

In a message to members of the Albany Diocese about its treatment of victims of clergy abuse, Sweringen said: "We are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Your fathers and grandmothers. We live among you. But most are still suffering in silence. I think Jesus would not wear a ribbon signifying 'We back our bishop.' "

At the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday, Sweringen was accompanied by his partner Michael Mansfield. He sat surrounded by photos of younger, happier days.

In one image, he mugged for the camera with friends on a trip to Maine's Yarmouth Clown Festival in 1983, a year before the abuse started.

In another picture, the radiant man draped in hooded white robes clasped hands fervently with Pope John Paul II.

At times, he had to stop speaking to control his emotions.

Wednesday's news conference, which was arranged by attorney John Aretakis, was an event that Sweringen said he would never have imagined.

After having studied to be a Benedictine monk, he left the order in 2001 and is director of alumni and church relations for Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif.

"Why did I have to wait so long?" he asked about the bishop's apology. "Why wasn't his team working together and sending that message months ago?"

Sweringen said he was told in last August there would be no investigation because Celeste had admitted his behavior. In December, church attorney Michael L. Costello wrote to Aretakis and said a inquiry was being opened and Sweringen would talk with investigator Thomas Martin.

"I was forced to tell my story another time, to another stranger hired by the church," Sweringen said, adding that Martin poured salt on his wounds when he began the interview by saying he knew nothing about the case.

Sweringen said his employers had written to the diocese inquiring about the situation and received a letter back in December from the Rev. Kenneth Doyle, saying the bishop had asked him to reply that the review board "investigated the complaint and concluded that the relationship involved consenting adults, each of whom was capable of making informed and responsible decisions."

But Sweringen said that both Hubbard and victims advocate Theresa Rodrigues, with whom he also met Tuesday, "told me they had never seen the letter and that they disagreed" with that statement.

Although he received the apology he needed, Sweringen said full reconciliation requires a willingness to make amends and an ardent desire to change one's ways.

"Bishop Hubbard told me that zero tolerance is not for people 18 or older," he said. "They must meet us with equal effort and desire for reconciliation if it ever is to occur ... so we can all grow and find a just and loving way through this crisis."

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