Spending at parish soars with new priest

WORLD-HERALD ^ | April 16, 2005 | CHRISTOPHER BURBACH

[Palladin]

Here is where the money of the faithful is going in my home diocese:

PRESS RELEASE

RE: Settlement of Sexual Molestation Suit

Date: May 5, 2005

From the Law Office of James Bendell

The defendants in the case of Doe vs. Diocese of Scranton, the Society of St. John, the Fraternity of St. Peter and Fr. Carlos Urrutigoity and Fr. Eric Ensey (U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Case No. 3 CV 02-0444) have agreed to a settlement with the plaintiff, a former student of St. Gregory’s Academy in Moscow, Pennsylvania.

Under the terms of the settlement the defendants will pay the plaintiff $255,000 in cash and future periodic payments of $199,550, for a total settlement of $454,550.

During the course of the litigation of this case, information was brought to light concerning the corruption existing at the Society of St. John, a clerical association approved by former bishop James Timlin, who allowed these priests to form a clerical association in the Diocese of Scranton and to act as chaplains at a boys’ prep school after they had been expelled from the Society of St. Pius X. The new bishop of Scranton, Joseph Martino, has since suppressed the Society of St. John.

This large financial settlement is a vindication of the courageous young man who brought this case.

The plaintiff was represented by attorneys James Bendell of Washington State, and Harry Coleman of Pennsylvania.

---

[Angelas]

"There are many who have been watching this from the beginning but have not posted. You for example only came into the discussion lately."


He is not a newbie like you & Jadwiga are. I am with Palladin...I smell a rat... at least three if them.

[omahacatholic]

More hypocrisy from the hypocrisy queen. The MOB drives pretty fancy cars, the Americans mainly drive minivans. Maybe the cars you saw belonged to the Hispanics.

Also, as far as giving you a break. The MOB waltzes into the parish in their fur coats and drop pennies in the basket. The Americans, with their large families, find some way to scrimp up at least 21/2 times the givings that you do.

And the fact is, you have no earthly clue how long I've been there - do you? More hypocrisy.

As far as the social hall, a few posts back when you were challenged to show how you had spent any money to fix up the parish, you pointed to the money spent - guess where you hypocrite - on the social hall.

You best find another blog cause you're not doing to well on this one.

[Petskelis]

Is that a fact????? Did you take a poll on this??? Or are you talking about your little group????

[omahacatholic]

You said: Maybe YOU should pay more attention to the final blessing, then you wouldn't notice anyone leaving. Just a thought.

I try really hard to hear the final blessing - its just that the stampede is annoying, almost as bad as the constant gossip that takes place all during mass - its amazing how sound carries from the choir loft.

[omahacatholic]

Jadwiga,
God Bless you

[Angelas]

See post 86 for current articles.

[Angelas]

Didn't ancilla educate you about libel?

[omahacatholic]

Palladin,
I see the moderator has been removing your posts - hmmm.

Well Zaunius, my friend, allow me to correct you once again.

You said: Aren't Father's attorneys a little too busy defending him in a Federal embezzlement case to bother reading posts on a website?

Actually, it isn't being investigated by the federal authorities - but do you know the difference??

Also, you can state your opinion, that's free speech, but we have laws against libel. That's not your opinion or free speech.

[omahacatholic]

Rupuzhe Palladin,
You said: Maybe you would like to tell us why Fathers Stravinskas and
Gregoris left their idyllic Oratory of St. Philip Neri in the beautiful Pocono Mountain area of Pennsylvania to travel all the way across the country to a place you and your friends call a "dump"?

YOU made the allegation that he was thrown out. You provide the proof. I didn't allege anything except that you don't know what you are talking about.

You simply don't have it - because it does not exist - Nevykelis

[Angelas]

If Mrs. D. gave them a Lithuanian dictionary or if she is the GS, she better teach them spelling better.

In case the moderator is concerned, the are using Lithuanian cuss words.

[Palladin]

NOW Stravinskas has been asked to leave the Diocese of

Omaha, just as in Scranton. Perhaps not exactly "thrown out". Bishops have a more polite way of doing things than bouncers do.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 Current Encores | Archive Printer Version

FR. PETER STRAVINSKAS IN HOT WATER [ Patrick Madrid ] 6 Comment(s)

6/1/2005 5:22:39 PM

This whole story is just plain weird. Fr. Peter Stravinskas -- yes, that Fr. Peter Stravinskas -- has become embroiled in an investigation regarding accusations that he misappropriated parish funds for personal use.

Omaha Archbishop Elden Curtiss has told a priest whose handling of a south Omaha parish's money is under police investigation that he should leave the Omaha Archdiocese.

The Rev. Peter Stravinskas remains temporary administrator of St. Anthony Catholic Church, 32nd and S Streets. But Curtiss has reported to a gathering of archdiocesan priests that he "suggested to Father Peter (Stravinskas) that he needed to locate in another diocese," according to minutes of the gathering.

Stravinskas, a noted Catholic author and defender of the faith's traditions, is not a priest of the Omaha Archdiocese. Technically, he is a priest of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, although he has not served there for many years. . . .

Curtiss declined to be interviewed. He said through the Rev. Gregory Baxter, chancellor of the archdiocese, that he would have no comment until after the Omaha police complete their investigation.

Reached by telephone at St. Anthony's rectory, Stravinskas declined to comment on Curtiss' report to fellow clerics or the police investigation.

The St. Anthony issue came up in a May 3 meeting Curtiss had with more than 20 archdiocesan priests. Curtiss' remarks about having told Stravinskas that he needs to locate in another diocese were included in meeting minutes that have circulated in the archdiocese. The minutes did not mention when Stravinskas might leave Omaha.

Jennifer Timmins, a member of St. Anthony's parish council who launched a Web site in his defense, said she didn't know if Stravinskas will leave but hopes he doesn't. Do we want him to leave? Absolutely not," Timmins said. "Do we think he's innocent? Absolutely yes. Father Stravinskas does what he preaches. He teaches solid Catholic doctrine and dogma, and he also provides the example. He's a good, holy Catholic priest."

For nearly two months Omaha Police Department detectives have been investigating other parishioners' report of alleged embezzlement of parish funds. Among other things, they served three search warrants March 30 on the St. Anthony's rectory and archdiocesan offices, seizing records and a computer, and gaining access to the computer's contents.

Police declined to comment on the investigation except to say that it remains active. . . .

A judge granted police access to records of a Wells Fargo account belonging to Newman House, a priests organization headed by Stravinskas, according to Douglas County District Court records.

In applying for the earlier search warrants, police had testified under oath that records showed money from St. Anthony's accounts appeared to have been used for Stravinskas' personal expenses, including mortgage, travel expenses, and credit cards.

[Palladin]

Coming to a Diocese near you soon:

The Father Peter Stravinskas Traveling Shell Game,

with his loyal sidekick, Nick Gregoris.

Thrown out of excellent dioceses all over America!

See: Marble covered floors! See: The jacuzzi in the rectory!! See: The handsome seminarians!!!!

But HOLD ONTO YOUR WALLETS!

[Petskelis]

So answer the question !!!!

[Petskelis]

I wouldn't worry about what he/she (jadvyga) says, if it's who I think it is they weren't very active in going to church or going to any Lithuanian functions before the administrator and will disappear again after he leaves !!!