Replies

Here are my responses:

1) 4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“The Archdiocese own audit done March 2004 found many irregularities. The independent auditor refused to write an exoneration letter.”

My response: First of all, I am an accountant. As a matter of fact, have years of experience in fraud investigating for a fortune 100 company. I would not sign an exoneration letter either if I did not have all the bank statements.
Also, you failed to mention that the same accountant refused to incriminate Father Stravinskas. As you well know Father Stravinskas did not have possession of the missing bank statements because they are in the hands of 8 other parishioners. See point numbered 11.

I did not know he did not have all of the bank statements but I am curious why miraculously missing receipts appeared 3 days before the meeting about the audit. Hmmmmmmm

2)4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“During today's homily he called the concerned parishioners evil lunatics! My, how Christian!”

My response: I was at that homily and in fact I requested a copy of it from Father Stravinskas and he happily complied. No where in his homily does he call anyone names. In fact, he never even used the word evil nor lunatics! How Christian is it to lie? Which is exactly what this post is!

However in a public statement that Father Stravinskas gave to the KPTM News he stated, “The circus tent is closed for today. There are people who Dido’t want to accept a priest’s authority.”

Of course he would not put in writing any references to the "devil in the parish". We accept a priest's authority but he does not abide by Archdiocese rules regarding parish councils and finance councils. Hmmmmmmm

3)4-17-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“How dare you call the church my parents worked so hard to build as a dump. You are as unchristian as Stravinskas!”

My response: The real unchristian thing was allowing God’s Holy church to be turned into a dump by not attending to much needed repairs.

We were scared the Archbishop would close us down unless we had enough money to continue to support us. Numerous improvements had been made. I noticed Stravinskas's picture in the parish hall in the Ignatius Press article. This was the hall we made improvements in. Now that Stravinskas has spent all of our money, the Archbishop will probably shut us down!Hmmmmmm

4)4-18-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“We just may join the Jehovah's Witnesses if he gets away with this.....”

My response: Your local Kingdom Hall is located at 4928 S. 39th , Omaha, Nebraska.

Thank you for the info.

5)4-29-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“All sins are an offense to God. There is no such thing as a big lie or a small lie. There is no such thing as a small theft or a big theft, it is theft.”

My response: CCC 2484, “The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms....If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin it becomes mortal when it does grave injury.” There has been no evidence that Father Stravinskas committed any sin. But your public false statements have caused scandal to Our Church and to Father Stravinskas. Confessions are heard a half an hour before Mass. (Unless you are already a JW.)

I regurlarly go to confession, how about Stravinskas? Hmmmm

6)5-09-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“I'm absolutely dumb-founded by people who call themselves Christians but who go out of their way to be spiteful and mean-spirited.”

My response: This is certainly the pot calling the kettle black!

At least I do not make fun of people's accents!

7)5-10-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“Where will your pastor be heading to in August?”

My response: According the most recent “Catholic Voice” (Diocesan newspaper), there was not any change to the assignment at St. Anthony’s. Do you have documentation to the contrary?

Yes.

8)5-11-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“The “AD EXPERIMENTUM” is up in August. Bye, bye!”

My response: This comment would suggest that Father Stravinskas would be permitted to stay only if he were sub servant to the people. In case you have not heard, “Habemus Papam!” THE CAFETERIA IS NOW CLOSED! Bye, bye to you!

No response requested.

9)5-12-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“Sure he picked up the tab...with the parish money!”
My response: Perhaps you have a problem hearing. Father Stravinskas says, “St. Anthony, pray for us!” NOT St. Anthony pay for us!

But a $300 bottle of wine is too much! What does this even look like?

10)5-13-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“I have nothing to hide.”

My response: Really? Then come forth with the missing bank statements ( you have already posted publicly that you know they exist and who has possession of them), mutual fund and trustee statements, and 1099’s from St. Anthony’s for parishioners that were drawing salaries prior to Father Stravinskas’ arrival at St. Anthony’s. By the way, are these some of the people accusing Father Stravinskas? Also, see point number 11.

As I stated before, neither you or Jennifer have any right to what documents I have.

11)5-13-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“guess what I know about 8 people who have copies of the bank statements right before and right after he showed his face.”

My response: So have you made arrangements for this evidenced to be turned over to the police? Also, refer to points numbered 1 and 10 above.

You are an accountant that specialized in fraud? I thought accountants were detailed? Recheck the post, Dearie.....

12)5-14-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
This was posted to Omaha Catholic: “Dear "midwest mom" (and Jennifer talks about hiding behind anonymous posts)! I am not consumed by hate. I just do not respect an arrogant liar who calls himself a priest.”

My response: Again you are blatantly wrong. I am not and never was “midwest mom”. However, she made some good points! The only lies I have heard are yours and the only arrogance that I have observed is yours. You have yet to provide one example of Father Stravinskas’ arrogance or lies.

No response requested.

13)5-14-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,
“You are not an accountant or on the parish Finance Council so you do not have any right to seeing the bank statements since the other parish council members didn't get to see them since Stravinskas arrived!”

My response: So, this is about people not accepting the authority of a priest as Father Stravinskas had publicly stated. See point number 2.

See my point 2!

14)5-16-2005 Concerned Catholic posted,

“From Stravinskas's website and info about some of the associates: “

My response: You are trying to make a connection that simply does not exist!

“Open Letter of May 19, 2002”
“A Fourth Open Letter to Bishop James C. Timlin, Diocese of Scranton “

My response: This was in fact investigated by the Diocese of Scranton. Here is their statement:

"To Whom It May Concern:

"As the Bishop of Scranton, I continue to support the Society of St. John wholeheartedly during these very difficult times. I urge everyone not to come to any negative judgments regarding the allegations made against two of the Society's priests without verifying all the facts. It is confusing and difficult to arrive at the facts because of all the erroneous accusations being made by enemies of the Society. The Society at this point is alive and well and deserves the support of its friends.

"I should add that the so-called 'College of St. Justin Martyr' does not have ecclesiastical approval and, therefore, is not authorized to solicit funds as if it were a Catholic College."

For an experienced fraud investigator I would have thought you would be more up to date on this one.....see below:

Dear Friends,

The Diocese of Scranton has posted on its web site a statement about the Society of St. John. This statement had been quoted in various newspaper articles concerning the settlement of the federal sex abuse lawsuit, but it had not be made available to the public until recently.

I have added my comments in capital letters in brackets within the statement below.

Pax vobiscum,

Dr. Jeffrey M. Bond

P.S. I have heard from two reliable sources that Rome has DENIED the Society of St. John's appeal of Bishop Martino's decree of suppression. Hopefully official confirmation will come soon.

Society of St. John Sells Property;
Diocese of Scranton Confirms Settlement in Civil Lawsuit

The Society of St. John, an organization of priests which was suppressed by Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino in November 2004, today (May 6, 2005) sold its 1000-acre property in Shohola, Pike County. The land was originally acquired by the Society in 1999. The Society’s failure to meet obligations as an ecclesiastical entity, its financial decisions and conduct, and allegations of sexual misconduct against two of its founding members compelled the Bishop to suppress the group.

A critical feature of today’s property transaction was the full payment of the loan which was arranged by former Scranton Bishop James C. Timlin. The Diocese was guarantor of a loan in the amount of $2,650,000. “We are very pleased that this sale has finally taken place because the burden of guaranteeing this group’s financial obligation to repay the loan has been removed from the faithful of the Diocese of Scranton,” Bishop Martino said. “It is unfortunate that this group of priests brought so much scandal and consternation to the priests and laity of the Diocese. It is now time to move forward and put the Society behind us.” [BISHOP TIMLIN'S DECISION TO MAKE THIS LOAN, DESPITE THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE OF THE SSJ'S GROSS IMMORALITY, WAS AN EVEN GREATER CAUSE OF SCANDAL AND CONSTERNATION AMONG THE FAITHFUL. BISHOP TIMLIN'S MISUSE OF HIS AUTHORITY TO COVER UP FOR THE SSJ, AS WELL AS HIS EFFORTS TO PUNISH THE COLLEGE OF ST. JUSTIN MARTYR FOR EXPOSING THE SSJ HOMOSEXUAL CULT, MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO "MOVE FORWARD AND PUT THE SOCIETY BEHIND US" UNTIL THE COLLEGE OF ST. JUSTIN MARTYR HAS BEEN JUSTLY COMPENSATED.]

In another matter involving the Society, independent of the sale of the property, the Diocese of Scranton agreed to participate in a settlement of the case which John Doe and his parents brought against Father Eric Ensey, Father Carlos Urrutigoity, the Society of St. John, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and St Gregory’s Academy, and Bishop Timlin and the Diocese. A settlement in the amount of $380,000 has been agreed to. The financial settlement has been apportioned in the following amounts: Diocese of Scranton – Bishop Timlin $200,000; Society of St. John – Fr. Ensey-Father Urrutigoity $55,000; and Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter – St. Gregory’s Academy $125,000.

In announcing the settlement, Bishop Martino stated that the claims against the two priests, who are founding members of the Society of St. John, were very damaging.

“In preparing for the civil trial, more than 40 depositions were taken,” the Bishop said. “The allegations made by the young man who asserted that he was sexually molested by Father Ensey and Father Urrutigoity were very damaging. In view of the serious claims made by the young person and in light of the statements by the witnesses who supported his claim, it was determined that the just decision was to reach a settlement that will assist the victim and his family as they attempt to heal.” [HAD BISHOP TIMLIN PROPERLY INVESTIGATED THIS MATTER WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT TO HIS ATTENTION IN THE SUMMER OF 2001, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO TAKE 40 DEPOSITIONS AND ALMOST FOUR YEARS TO REACH A JUST SETTLEMENT. WHY DID BISHOP TIMLIN SUPPORT THE SSJ AND STONEWALL FOR YEARS TO PROTECT THEM?]

The Bishop said the Diocese deeply regrets that any young person would ever suffer because of the conduct of a priest. [THESE WORDS ARE ONLY WORDS UNTIL WE SEE WHAT BISHOP MARTINO DOES WITH URRUTIGOITY AND ENSEY, AS WELL AS THE OTHER PRIESTS OF THE SSJ, ALL OF WHOM LIED TO COVER UP FOR THESE PERVERTED PRIESTS. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN IS THE IMPENDING ORDINATION OF DEACON JOSEPH LEVINE WHO, AS FORMER SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE SSJ, ALSO USED HIS OFFICE TO COVER UP FOR URRUTIGOITY AND ENSEY.]

Bill Genello
Diocese of Scranton Spokesman

You said: I did not know he did not have all of the bank statements but I am curious why miraculously missing receipts appeared 3 days before the meeting about the audit. Hmmmmmmm

My Reply: Receipts are receipts. They are easily verifiable, just like the one to your buddy for $27,000. No one has challenged the integrity of the receipts. Your pattern of a lack of substantive responses continues.

You said: Of course he would not put in writing any references to the "devil in the parish". We accept a priest's authority but he does not abide by Archdiocese rules regarding parish councils and finance councils. Hmmmmmmm

My reply. First of all, he read the homily. And secondly, I was there, I know exactly what he said. Again, this accusation is simply wrong in fact.

Also, you continually state that he does not abide by diocesan rules, would you be so kind as to elaborate, or did this come to you in a dream also.

You said: We were scared the Archbishop would close us down unless we had enough money to continue to support us. Numerous improvements had been made. I noticed Stravinskas's picture in the parish hall in the Ignatius Press article. This was the hall we made improvements in. Now that Stravinskas has spent all of our money, the Archbishop will probably shut us down!Hmmmmmm

My reply: It is distinctly possible that if Father Peter decides to accept an appointment in Rome, the parish is history. But let me ask about the ten years of mismanagement of the parish, ie, parishioners on the payroll but no 1099's, questions that have recently surfaced about using parish money to sponsor ethnic activities, and so on. Hmmmm Its a good thing Father Stravinskas showed up to clean up that mess.

You said: I regularly go to confession, how about Stravinskas? Hmmmm

My reply: I'm glad you regularly go to confession, so do I, and so does Father. But you have absolutely no right to even inquire about his frequency of confession. Another example of, we have no substance, so let's just keep piling on the bull. This is an ad hominum attack, which is often resorted to when one lacks substance.

You said: At least I do not make fun of people's accents!

My reply: Neither do ve. Ve just quote dem accurately.

You said: But a $300 bottle of wine is too much! What does this even look like?

My reply: I agree! Now show me the receipt, or else its just hearsay, like the rest of your posts.

You said: As I stated before, neither you or Jennifer have any right to what documents I have.

My reply: First you say you have nothing to hide, then you say you won't show us. Hmmmmm. Perhaps you can talk out of both sides of your mouth in a couple of languages.

You said: You are an accountant that specialized in fraud? I thought accountants were detailed? Recheck the post, Dearie.....

My reply: I did. I stand by my statement. And let's don't get so personal, or I might call you sweetie pie.

The other post is too long to quote. Let me be concise in my response: Bishop Timlin was an episcopal adviser on Latin in the Liturgy. Nothing more and nothing less. There is no connection between the Society of St. John, or the priests named as abusing children, and Father Stravinskas.

Your attempt to make that connection is worse than libel. Its just plain sick. Of course, we've come to expect that from someone who will resort to any evil to attack a holy man. As we said before, "Crucify Him."