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Spending at parish soars with new priest
WORLD-HERALD ^ | April 16, 2005 | CHRISTOPHER BURBACH

Posted on 04/16/2005 11:24:59 PM PDT by CatherineSiena

Spending at parish soars with new priest

A noted Catholic thinker who was brought in to run St. Anthony Catholic Church in south Omaha allegedly spent more than $400,000 in 1 and 1/2 years - at a small parish that normally spent about $50,000 a year.

Police are investigating the Rev. Peter Stravinskas' handling of St. Anthony's parish funds after parishioners filed a report of a possible embezzlement. Detectives have told a judge it appears parish money was spent on Stravinskas' personal expenses, including travel, mortgage payments and credit cards.

In a court filing last month, Omaha police said two parish funds - one worth $82,000 and the other worth $71,000 - were nearly wiped out. Only $4,200 remained from the $153,000 total, detectives told a judge.

But The World-Herald learned this week that those funds represented only part of St. Anthony's savings.

And people knowledgeable about the situation said the money taken from those accounts was only part of a larger amount spent from August 2002, when Stravinskas arrived, until March 2004, when the Archdiocese of Omaha froze parish funds.

Stravinskas has not been charged with a crime and remains St. Anthony's temporary administrator. He has declined to comment. He was scheduled to return Friday night from a trip to Rome, said the Rev. Nicholas Gregoris, who answered the door at the rectory Friday.

The Rev. Gregory Baxter, chancellor of the archdiocese, declined to comment, citing the police investigation.

Police have declined to comment on the extent of Stravinskas' alleged misspending.

Church financial records published in parish documents indicate, however, that St. Anthony had $313,000 in savings in January 2002. It is unclear what that total was when Stravinskas arrived that summer, but parishioners said St. Anthony had no extraordinary expenses before Stravinskas came.

The parish typically brought in about $50,000 a year and spent that much, said Albinas Reskevicius, a parish trustee for nearly 40 years until early 2003. He said he had no knowledge of parish spending since that time.

Omaha Archbishop Elden Curtiss brought Stravinskas, 54, to Omaha from Mount Pocono, Pa. A clerical group Stravinskas had founded there, the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, had been disbanded.

Stravinskas has written numerous books and founded magazines, the Catholic Answer and the Catholic Response, defending traditional Roman Catholic teachings.

Stravinskas, a native of New Jersey, is a priest of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, but hasn't worked there in 25 years.

Stravinskas shares Lithuanian ancestry with many of the St. Anthony parishioners, but there has been no more explanation of why such a noted priest landed in a shrinking neighborhood parish.

Curtiss declined to be interviewed Friday about the parish's finances or about how he knows Stravinskas or why he brought him to Omaha.

In a May 2002 sermon, the archbishop praised Stravinskas as "a first-rate scholar with a rich academic background," and "a herald of truth in the church."

Curtiss delivered the sermon in New York City to mark the 25th anniversary of Stravinskas' ordination.

"Now that I am 70, I will be fortunate to be associated with you and your ministry for another decade," Curtiss said. "You are a special priest and a special friend to me and many people who really know you. I consider you a gift in my ministry and in my life."

In Omaha, Stravinskas registered the Priestly Society of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman as a Nebraska nonprofit, based at the St. Anthony rectory.

Stravinskas also hired a contractor to renovate parish buildings. Contractor Mark Warsocki said the priest paid him and others to do $126,000 in work.

In the church, Warsocki said, he installed a marble floor in the sanctuary, painted the ceiling and repaired the tabernacle area.

Stravinskas wanted to convert the rectory, a former convent, into a more comfortable residence for himself, Gregoris and a seminarian, Warsocki said. They felt cramped in 9-by-13-foot rooms where nuns once lived, the contractor said.

He built a three-room suite for Stravinskas, plus a library, in the rectory's unfinished basement.

Warsocki installed new flooring, a patio door, windows, a wine rack and a deck on the rectory's main floor, he said, and converted four second-floor sleeping rooms into two living suites with individual bathrooms.

Warsocki said Stravinskas also had hired him to create two more living suites. But Warsocki said Stravinskas stopped the work on Good Friday 2004, after the archdiocese audit. The contractor said he had $16,000 worth of labor left to do.

Warsocki described the work as needed and not lavish. He said Stravinskas had him buy materials from home improvement stores with the priest's personal credit card.

Warsocki said he undercharged because of inexperience and a desire to improve a parish where his grandfather and father had belonged.


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To: South O proud

I agree. Jennifer has even posted comments on another blog about Mary Antanelis not being a member of the parish for years. Just like you, she was a parish member until Stravinskas chased her away. These newcomers aren't even contributing to the weekly collection...to send the Archbishop a message for failing to publicly exonerate Stravinskas!
Hey, I want to come to your picnic. Hang in there!


81 posted on 05/18/2005 5:23:36 PM PDT by Concerned Catholic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: ancilla
"They come to the pantry every week. But you wouldn't know that would you."

I am looking at a church bulletin with Father Stravinskas thanking the Omaha Lithuanian Women's Club for their donation to the pantry. They also contributed to numerous other charities. But you wouldn't know about that since some of us speak with accents....

I am looking at another bulletin with Father Stravinskas thanking this same club for their donation to have the candles refurbished.

When you give the World Herald reporter a tour, please make sure you show him where the burglars broke the door down and stole items. Father Stravinskas refused to file a police report so these people that speak with accents are out of the money.
82 posted on 05/18/2005 5:34:45 PM PDT by Concerned Catholic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Concerned Catholic
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."
83 posted on 05/18/2005 5:45:10 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: Concerned Catholic
Another false statement. How do you know what I do or do not contribute. But I guess you have been the char-ism of being able to read through the envelopes and determine what people donate. But as far as facts go, read the bulletin. It splits out the giving by mass.

And as expected, you've exhausted your ammunition on Father Peter, so just start attacking a good woman.

How much lower can you go.
84 posted on 05/18/2005 5:53:49 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Concerned Catholic
I'm not going to let you turn this into a Lithuanian VS others issue. It is not. Only a few comprise the "mob of accusers" that will bow to every evil to get rid of Father.

But this post is another example of the perpetuation of falsehood.

Before Father, there was no pantry, but you had plenty of money to run one. Why didn't the faithful back then care for the needs of the community.

I know the parishioners that work their butts off to keep the pantry going, and every one of them, to a person, is on Father's side. And none of them are from your little band.
85 posted on 05/18/2005 5:59:34 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: omahacatholic

"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.”

Read it again. I did not post it!

" There is no connection between the Society of St. John, or the priests named as abusing children, and Father Stravinskas."

See below:
Brothers serving their Father

Mount Pocono priests teach, learn and live under one banner and under one roof


By CAROL YOKA
Pocono Record Writer
cyoka@poconorecord.com

A man who died more than 400 years ago in Rome is influencing lives here in the Poconos today.

St. Philip Neri walked the streets of 16th-century Rome, a humble, joyful figure, caring for the poor and the sick. Full of compassion and concern for young men of his day, St. Philip began to invite men to pray, study, sing and discuss scripture. His popular meetings eventually attracted as many as 4,000 people. The religious community he founded became known as the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

That community has been copied in many places over the centuries. Now it's being modeled in the Poconos.

"The Oratory of St. Philip Neri is a fraternity of secular priests that come together for support to do the work of the church," explained the Rev. Peter Stravinskas, provost of Newman House. Since October 1996, a community of secular priests has been living at 21 Fairview Ave in Mount Pocono.

Stravinskas, 47, the Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris and Brother Christopher Clay founded the oratory together.

Ordained to the priesthood a year ago, Gregoris, 25, teaches religion at Notre Dame High School and works weekends at Our Lady of Victory Church in Tannersville. In 1987, while a sophomore at a New York City high school, Gregoris happened to attend a Latin Mass. Stravinskas was the celebrant and Gregoris asked if he could serve the Mass. As they talked, they discovered a common love for the Latin language and the Gregorian chant, a liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church.

"I had read some of his books," Gregoris remembered. But it wasn't until Gregoris went home and looked at the books again that he realized: "That's the guy."

Gregoris had thought about becoming a priest since he was 5 years old. Stravinskas became his mentor. But where did the interest in forming an oratory come from?

"I have always had a great love and devotion to St. Philip, who had founded the first oratory," Gregoris said. In his travels, Gregoris visited several oratories in existence today. These combined with his desire to become a priest and his interest in teaching young people. In an oratory setting, Gregoris believed he would be able to develop and serve God more fully.

"The provost of the oratory talks with you about your gifts or talents. Each person's talents are utilized for the good of the church," Gregoris explained.

Clay, 34, will be ordained on Saturday at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton. He met Stravinskas and Gregoris in 1990 through mutual friends. He explained his interest in forming an oratory.

"One of the biggest problems that face clergy is the feeling of isolation. There's a need for a fraternal support system, much the same as a married couple. Priests supply support for priests that no one else can provide," Clay said.

Living in an oratory also appealed to Clay as a means of offering stability.

"It allows you to sink roots in the community. With the oratory I know I'll be here. It gives you a better possibility of getting to know the problems and to work toward solutions in a given area," he continued.

Why the Poconos?

Stravinskas had become acquainted with the Poconos as a place to ski. When the for-sale sign went up in front of the spacious house next to St. Mary of the Mount Church on Fairview Avenue, Stravinskas bought the former bed and breakfast five years ago as a place to get away and to write.

Stravinskas is the founding editor of The Catholic Answer, a bimonthly publication of Our Sunday Visitor Inc. He answers questions pertaining to the Catholic Church and its teaching in the publication's feature, "The Catholic Answer."

In addition, Stravinskas has written 21 books and more than 500 articles having to do with theology and Catholic education. As an adjunct professor of education, he teaches at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.

"I got a call one day that Bishop Timlin was interested in opening the oratory," Clay reported. "We had been talking for several years. It was a matter of finding a place."

Bishop James C. Timlin heads the Diocese of Scranton.

"In order to open a community like this, you have to be welcomed by the local bishop. He has to give approval to protect the faithful from wacky religious ideas," Clay said.

Hidden behind a low stone wall and towering pines, the secluded house has seven bedrooms, a living room, dining room and small, neat kitchen. Since its conversion to the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Newman House offers a Latin Mass in its chapel at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Once a sun room and a waiting room for patients when a doctor owned the house, the tiny but ornate chapel provides a place for people to hear the prayers of the Mass and the Gregorian chant in Latin — the universal, sacred language of the church.

"One of the main thrusts of our house is Catholic education, in the community and in the school," Clay said. "We're interested in anyone coming into a greater knowledge of the faith." He is looking forward to teaching religion at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg this fall.

Gregoris will be leaving his teaching position at Notre Dame to pursue his doctoral studies in Rome.

"I love being at Notre Dame," Gregoris said. "But talking with my superior, I realized that I can better use my talents at the college level and I need to put some closure to my academic degree."

Four others now live in the community at Newman House. Brother Gregory Villaescusa is completing a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theology at the University of Scranton and gives religious instruction at St. Mary of the Mount parish. The 28-year-old has five more years of study before he becomes a priest.

Brother Michael M. Redmann, 26, has two more years of preparation before he is ordained a priest. He is studying philosophy at the University of Scranton to prepare for further theological studies.

Brother Hector Moreno has two more years of seminary. A new arrival at the oratory, he will study at either Seton Hall or at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia.

The youngest member, Brother Michael Barone, 18, has seven years of study ahead of him. He will be transferring to the University of Scranton as a sophomore in the fall.

"The whole spirit of the house has inspired me," Gregoris said. "It's a very pleasant place to be."


Priest accused of sex crime



By ERIC MARK
Pocono Record Writer
emark@poconorecord.com

A Catholic priest with ties to Monroe County has been relieved of his duties as chaplain and teacher at a Luzerne County high school after allegations of sexual misconduct were lodged against him.

The Diocese of Scranton announced Thursday that the Rev. Christopher R. Clay, 38, has been relieved of his duties at Bishop Hafey High School pending the outcome of a police investigation into the alleged misconduct.

Clay, who was ordained in Scranton in June 1998, served as chaplain and taught religion at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg from July 1998 to June 2000, said Maria Orzel, executive director of communications for the Diocese of Scranton.

Notre Dame Principal Jeffrey Lyons confirmed that Clay had worked at the school, but referred other questions to the Scranton Diocese.

Clay assumed his duties at Bishop Hafey in July 2000, Orzel added.

The Scranton Diocese was informed of the allegations against Clay by a law enforcement agency investigating alleged sexual misconduct by two other priests in Shohola Township, Pike County, Orzel said. She declined to name the law enforcement agency involved.

The alleged victim in that case, who has not been named, claimed that Clay also engaged in sexual misconduct with him, in 1998, Orzel added.

Clay, who has not been charged, denies the allegations, Orzel said. The diocese has asked Clay not to perform any public ministry while the investigation continues.

"Upon hearing the allegation against Father Clay, the Diocese of Scranton followed diocesan policy by taking immediate steps to relieve him of his former duties as chaplain of Bishop Hafey High School," Orzel stated. "We await the outcome of the law enforcement investigation of this accusation against Father Clay."

Mark Pazuhanich, Monroe County district attorney, confirmed on Thursday that his office will be involved in the investigation into the allegations against Clay, as some of the alleged incidents of misconduct occurred in Monroe County.

Pazuhanich said his office will work in conjunction with the Lackawanna County district attorney's office in the course of the investigation. He held open the possibility that the case could be condensed among several jurisdictions.

Pazuhanich also confirmed that the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department is involved in the investigation.

Clay was a resident of the Newman House, also known as the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, in Mount Pocono, from 1998 to 2000, according to Orzel.

An oratory is "a place of prayer other than a place of worship, approved by a bishop," Orzel said. "It's a congregation of secular priests."

The Newman House is no longer associated with the Scranton Diocese, Orzel added.

A recent bulletin for a local Catholic church contained an item stating that the Newman House is "no longer officially recognized by the Catholic Church ... Newman House is not an oratory."

A man wearing a priest's collar who answered the door at Newman House on Thursday stated that Clay has not lived there for at least a year and a half, but otherwise declined to comment on the matter or give his name.

"We don't know anything other than what's been released," he said.

Clay lives in Luzerne County, Orzel said. He did not return a phone message left with the answering service for the St. Francis Church Rectory in Nanticoke.

The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader contributed to this report.


Copyright © May 03, 2002, Pocono Record
Return to www.poconorecord.com

Accused Pennsylvania priest led Mass in Texas
FW Diocese banned him from ministry after learning of abuse link
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
By SUSAN HOGAN/ALBACH / The Dallas Morning News

A Catholic priest removed from ministry in Pennsylvania because of sexual abuse allegations has been living in Dallas and leading Mass at an Arlington parish for at least a year.

Officials at the Diocese of Fort Worth, which encompasses Arlington, said they didn't know about the Rev. Christopher Clay's activities at St. Mary the Virgin Catholic Church until contacted this week by The Dallas Morning News. On Tuesday the diocese's chancellor, the Rev. Robert Wilson, banned Father Clay from further ministry.

"He did this without our knowledge or approval," Father Wilson said.

Father Clay didn't respond to an interview request. No one answered the door of his Oak Cliff apartment.

The priest has not been accused of wrongdoing in Texas. The Diocese of Scranton, Pa., said he remains under investigation there. He was placed on leave two years ago after an allegation of abuse was made by a man in his early 20s who said he'd been molested as a teen.

Father Clay apparently had been leading Masses at St. Mary the Virgin at the invitation of the Arlington parish's pastor, the Rev. Allan Hawkins. Diocesan officials said Father Hawkins never sought permission from them, as required by church rules. Father Hawkins did not respond to interview requests.

David Clohessy of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said many priests removed from ministry under the 2002 sexual abuse charter adopted by U.S. bishops continue to find their way into ministry because of leaders who skirt proper channels.

Officials of the Dallas Diocese said they hadn't heard of Father Clay. They added that he would not be allowed to participate in any ministry in the diocese.

His background in Pennsylvania came to light locally through Rachel Dillard of Dallas, who said she went to Father Clay this month for instruction because she hoped to become a Catholic.

She said she conducted an Internet search on the priest out of curiosity and was stunned to learn about the abuse allegation.

"He had told me he left Pennsylvania because of a dispute with a conservative faction," she said. "He felt they were obsessed with matters of sex."

James Early, chancellor of the Scranton Diocese, said Father Clay had told him he had a job in Texas reviewing medical insurance claims.

"He should not be functioning in any capacity as a priest," Mr. Early said.

Last month, the Vatican authorized an ecclesiastical judicial process against Father Clay and two other priests accused of molesting the young man, now 23, according to a document obtained by The News. He could be permanently defrocked.

Father Clay, who has maintained his innocence to Pennsylvania authorities, was never sued or charged with a crime. But the other two priests who were implicated are defendants in a lawsuit in Pennsylvania.

In a deposition, the young man said of Father Clay: "He proceeded to get me roaring drunk. I remember throwing up in his room all over myself and him taking me into the next room and undressing me and then I woke up naked the next morning."

James Bendell, the accuser's attorney, said Father Clay was not named as a defendant because the case against the other two priests was much stronger and involved "several overt acts of molestation."

Asked whether Father Clay belonged in ministry, the lawyer said: "No. Not only no, but hell no."

Members of St. Mary's described Father Clay as a dynamic speaker with a keen intellect.

"He's excellent with the young people," Terry Southard said. "They feel like they can talk with him."
Accused priest led Mass in Arlington
Dallas Morning News ^ | June 30, 2004 | Susan Hogan

From Fr Hawkins to the people of St Mary the Virgin
No doubt you will have seen the story which appeared today in the Dallas Morning News, and perhaps elsewhere in the media. I plan to speak about this hurtful and distressing matter at all three Masses next Sunday -- but, meanwhile, I would like you to have immediately the following brief outline of the facts.

I have known Fr Christopher Clay for almost ten years, having first met him through a mutual friend -- a priest now deceased -- several years before his ordination to the priesthood. Fr Clay was ordained for the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, of which diocese he remains a priest.

In May 2002 certain allegations were made concerning several priests, of whom Fr Clay was one, about an incident which was alleged to have taken place some four years earlier. Fr Clay strenuously denies all and any such allegations. The Diocese "removed Fr Clay from active ministry" while the matter was investigated. The outcome of this investigation was that no charges of any kind were brought against Fr Clay (though I understand that there are still ongoing processes with regard to the other priests concerned). Furthermore, according to a message dated June 28 to me from Rod Dreher (a journalist for the Dallas Morning News whom many of you will know as a worshiper in our Parish, who appears to have instigated the present interest in the matter) "the Pennsylvania State Police … has no record of an investigation into Father Clay". (It seems that Rod Dreher has had an ongoing journalistic interest in these events in Scranton, having written about them in February 2002 in the National Review Online.)

One might imagine that that would have been the end of the matter. And, indeed, so it appeared to have been. Bishop Timlin (the now-retired Bishop of Scranton) ended Fr Clay's "removal from active ministry" by appointing him parochial vicar at St Thomas More parish in Lake Ariel, PA - and I have Bishop Timlin's letter to this effect, dated February 4, 2003, before me as I write. This could not have happened if Fr Clay had been suspended or had had his faculties removed.

In the event, very soon after Fr Clay reported for his new assignment he became unwell, no doubt as a result of the stress of all these events; and he sought a leave of absence from the Diocese on health grounds. This was granted, and Fr Clay moved to his home town of Dallas; and I have a copy of the positive and supportive letter which Bishop Timlin sent to him, confirming these arrangements, dated March 10, 2003.

At about that time I personally contacted Bishop Timlin to make sure that there was no objection to my inviting Fr Clay to assist us at St Mary the Virgin. The Bishop assured me that this was entirely acceptable - and he expressed satisfaction that Fr Clay had supportive friends in the area. I also spoke with Fr Peter Stravinskas who was Fr Clay's superior at the Oratory in which Fr Clay lived at the time of the alleged incident; he gave no indication of any concern.

On April 22 of this year the new Bishop of Scranton, Bishop Joseph F. Martino, wrote to Fr Clay as a priest of his Diocese but now living in Dallas, to ask him his "intentions regarding your future ministry". Again, such an inquiry would be meaningless and absurd if Fr Clay was under suspension and without faculties as a priest.

In the light of all the above, it is difficult indeed to see what ends of truth, justice and charity have been served by today's Dallas Morning News and its journalists.

Please pray for Fr Christopher Clay at this time. He is a devout and fine priest. He is, and will continue to be, a close friend of mine and my family. He is, by adoption and grace, a member of our Parish community; and we will support him. And may Blessed Mary pray for her parish, and for the priests who are her sons.

Fr Allan


Wednesday, June 30, 2004

By SUSAN HOGAN/ALBACH / The Dallas Morning News

A Catholic priest removed from ministry in Pennsylvania because of sexual abuse allegations has been living in Dallas and leading Mass at an Arlington parish for at least a year.

Officials at the Diocese of Fort Worth, which encompasses Arlington, said they didn't know about the Rev. Christopher Clay's activities at St. Mary the Virgin Catholic Church until contacted this week by The Dallas Morning News. On Tuesday the diocese's chancellor, the Rev. Robert Wilson, banned Father Clay from further ministry.

"He did this without our knowledge or approval," Father Wilson said.

Father Clay didn't respond to an interview request. No one answered the door of his Oak Cliff apartment.

The priest has not been accused of wrongdoing in Texas. The Diocese of Scranton, Pa., said he remains under investigation there. He was placed on leave two years ago after an allegation of abuse was made by a man in his early 20s who said he'd been molested as a teen.

Father Clay apparently had been leading Masses at St. Mary the Virgin at the invitation of the Arlington parish's pastor, the Rev. Allan Hawkins. Diocesan officials said Father Hawkins never sought permission from them, as required by church rules. Father Hawkins did not respond to interview requests.

David Clohessy of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said many priests removed from ministry under the 2002 sexual abuse charter adopted by U.S. bishops continue to find their way into ministry because of leaders who skirt proper channels.

Officials of the Dallas Diocese said they hadn't heard of Father Clay. They added that he would not be allowed to participate in any ministry in the diocese.

His background in Pennsylvania came to light locally through Rachel Dillard of Dallas, who said she went to Father Clay this month for instruction because she hoped to become a Catholic.

She said she conducted an Internet search on the priest out of curiosity and was stunned to learn about the abuse allegation.

"He had told me he left Pennsylvania because of a dispute with a conservative faction," she said. "He felt they were obsessed with matters of sex."

James Early, chancellor of the Scranton Diocese, said Father Clay had told him he had a job in Texas reviewing medical insurance claims.

"He should not be functioning in any capacity as a priest," Mr. Early said.

Last month, the Vatican authorized an ecclesiastical judicial process against Father Clay and two other priests accused of molesting the young man, now 23, according to a document obtained by The News. He could be permanently defrocked.

Father Clay, who has maintained his innocence to Pennsylvania authorities, was never sued or charged with a crime. But the other two priests who were implicated are defendants in a lawsuit in Pennsylvania.

In a deposition, the young man said of Father Clay: "He proceeded to get me roaring drunk. I remember throwing up in his room all over myself and him taking me into the next room and undressing me and then I woke up naked the next morning."

James Bendell, the accuser's attorney, said Father Clay was not named as a defendant because the case against the other two priests was much stronger and involved "several overt acts of molestation."

Asked whether Father Clay belonged in ministry, the lawyer said: "No. Not only no, but hell no."

Members of St. Mary's described Father Clay as a dynamic speaker with a keen intellect.

"He's excellent with the young people," Terry Southard said. "They feel like they can talk with him."


Posted on Fri, Jul. 09, 2004


Priest's penalty light, some say

By Darren Barbee

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


An Arlington priest was reprimanded by the Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese for allowing a friend and fellow clergyman once accused of sexual misconduct to lead worship at his church.

But a national victims group says Fort Worth Bishop Joseph Delaney should take more substantial action against the Rev. Allan Hawkins of St. Mary the Virgin Catholic Church in Arlington.

For more than a year, Hawkins allowed a Pennsylvania priest to lead Mass and perform other duties at his church. Hawkins failed to inform the diocese or the bishop of the priest's presence, in violation of diocese policy.

Hawkins said the priest, the Rev. Christopher Clay, maintains his innocence and has not been charged with a crime.

Local Catholics said they were frustrated with Hawkins' decision given the sex abuse scandals that have shocked Catholics worldwide, cost dioceses more than half a billion dollars and forced the archdiocese of Portland, Ore., to seek bankruptcy protection this week.

The Rev. Robert Wilson, the diocese chancellor, said Hawkins has been told that he was "out of line and should have been following diocesan policy."

Wilson said the reprimand will probably be included in Hawkins' personnel file. Additional action would be the bishop's decision, he said. Delaney was ill Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

In an e-mail Thursday, Hawkins said he told his congregation Sunday that he was reprimanded.

"I accept that reprimand in the spirit in which it was administered and without question," Hawkins wrote.

Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, co-wrote a letter to Delaney last week saying that Hawkins had openly defied him and asking for harsher disciplinary action.

"The best policies in the world aren't worth the paper they're written on if you're not going to follow them," Blaine said Thursday.

Some local Catholics said that they are baffled by Hawkins' actions and that he should be disciplined.

Bill Brookman, who attends St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, said Hawkins' failure to inform the Fort Worth diocese was intolerable.

"It's just amazing to me that a priest in this diocese, in that milieu, could suddenly pull this stunt," Brookman said.

The diocese needs to take action against Hawkins to show that it takes such matters seriously, said Jean Frie, president of the Catholic group Fort Worth Voice of the Faithful.

Wilson said the diocese will probably revisit its policy on visiting priests.

"We're going to have to do some more [education] and stress this very strongly," he said.

The Rev. John Robert Skeldon of St. Michael Catholic Church in Bedford said last week that the diocese has made it clear priests must inform the diocese about visiting clergymen.

Hawkins has said in an e-mail that Clay's superiors in the Diocese of Scranton, Pa., told him they didn't object to his assisting at St. Mary. Hawkins has not explained why he did not inform the Fort Worth diocese of Clay's presence.

Clay was suspended by the Scranton diocese in 2002 after a law-enforcement investigation. He was subsequently reinstated and appointed to a parish in Pennsylvania, Hawkins said.

Clay was later accused in a civil-court document of giving a young man alcohol and undressing him, but he is not being sued.

Last week, former Scranton Bishop James Timlin told the Times Leader of northeastern Pennsylvania that Clay was entitled to resume ministerial duties. Timlin could not be reached this week for comment.

Clay, who also could not be reached, moved to Oak Cliff last year and went on sick leave, Hawkins said. The Scranton diocese has indicated that Clay is still being investigated.

Susan Ahern, a St. Mary parishioner for six years, said she was satisfied with Hawkins' explanation Sunday at Mass.

"I have a great admiration for Father Hawkins," she said. "He's made it a wonderful parish."


Posted by: B Knotts at April 17, 2005 02:52 PM

I like Fr. Stravinskas and let's not jump to conclusions.

But this is the third scandal involving people who had been associated with that Oratory in the Poconos, and it makes you wonder what exactly was happening there. Remember Fr. Christopher Clay, found active in an anglican use parish in Ft. Worth even though his ministry had been suspended because of an allegation of abuse that was supposed to have occurred at the Oratory? And Frs. Ensey and Urrutigoity of the Society of St. John, who spent some time at the Oratory, and who themselves were connected with gross financial mismanagement and lavish, extravagent spending--not to mention charges of sexual abuse of minors?





86 posted on 05/18/2005 6:39:48 PM PDT by Concerned Catholic
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To: Concerned Catholic

You are most welcomed to come to our picnic,You will be shocked at all the people you do know.God Bless


87 posted on 05/18/2005 7:45:45 PM PDT by South O proud
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To: Concerned Catholic
Why do you keep reposting this. Its come up before and been settled. It makes me sick that someone can call themselves a concerned catholic, lie like a sailor, and then try to connect Father to an abuse scandal. The dots just don't connect. Can't you get that. I've read and reread all of the Scranton stuff. Never, ever was there a connection of Father, by even the most adamant of accusers, Dr. Bond.

So why do you want to make one. This is obviously just another juvenile attempt to crucify a holy man for something he had nothing to do with.

As I have stated repeatedly, you have absolutely no substance to your posts, but apparently you imagine that verbosely repeating settled issues will accomplish something. More doublespeak, which you are very good at. But not good enough.

You say you have the records, but I don't believe you. Can you prove there wasn't financial mismanagement before he got there? Many parishioners are starting to ask questions about how the finances were handled before Father arrived. Were there parishioners getting salaries that went unreported to the IRS? Were parish funds used to pay for ethnic gatherings? Questions that deserve answers. You purport to have the records.

Chill out, eat a Kris-py Kreme, and show us what you've got.
88 posted on 05/18/2005 7:47:20 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
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To: Concerned Catholic
Was that the blog that she kicked everyone off that didn't agree with her? I think Mary told me that, she called her spineless and then blocked her from commenting. You know some people just don't have a life.
89 posted on 05/18/2005 7:59:52 PM PDT by South O proud
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To: omahacatholic

Here's the deal. They know perfectly well that their origianl story is BS.

Concerned Catholic:

If you have an accusation to make against ANYONE, priest or layperson, you had better be DAMNED sure you know what you are talking about. Because if you are alleging that Father S has ANY involvement with that whole mess in Pennsylvania, you had better clarify yourself right here and now.

If you don't, I will personally copy all of this to paper and file a complaint with Free Republic. I will also send a copy to the Archbishop and to the news media. I would imagine several attorneys would be interested also.

If you think you are anonymous here, you're wrong. The servers hold all the identifying information needed to prosecute someone for libel and slander. Anyone can be tracked anytime, anywhere if subpoenaed by law enforcement.

You have crossed over the line here.

State your intention or back off.

Iggy tried this once before last year and got slapped down pretty hard. Remember?


90 posted on 05/18/2005 8:09:37 PM PDT by ancilla
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To: South O proud

Wrong again. I kicked her off for playing games and posting under two names.


91 posted on 05/18/2005 8:15:25 PM PDT by ancilla
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To: South O proud
Actually South O, Ancilla preferred for you all to post to her blog, she had visibility of who was posting, so when Mary's multiple identities became obvious, she could send her for appropriate treatment.

You folks just aren't quite as smart as you thought you are.

Watch and see, this whole accusation thing is going to blow up in your face, and it may cost you a lot more than the money Father used to restore the sanctuary, it may cost you your parish, including the hall that you renovated.
92 posted on 05/18/2005 9:02:48 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
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To: ancilla
Ancilla,

The whole machine they created to oust Father has simply ran out of steam. All it can do now is blow hot air.

But I agree with you, they are creating a legal liability with their mud slinging.

I am sorry however, that the little snipes sneaked and looked into your contribution envelopes. Or maybe they just watched with binoculars from the choir balcony to see how much cash you put in.

Of course, they could be hacking into the parish computer and looking at the records.

But if they actually looked at the parish records, they would know that there were no improprieties committed by Father Stravinskas. And being the honest people that they are, they would simply retract their allegations.

Also, have you noticed how CC won't use the title "Father" for Father Stravinskas. Maybe she's already a Jehovah's Witness.

Star Wars comes out tomorrow, they'll probably take a day off and go watch it, in order to get new ideas.

May the force be with you, my fellow Jedi, in the fight against "Darth" Catholic
93 posted on 05/18/2005 9:17:13 PM PDT by omahacatholic (Oremus pro invicem!)
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To: omahacatholic
Did you ask Mary or did you just assume? Mary works Part time for someone who lives by St. Anthony's. She could have very easily used their PC, and knowing EJ and Al I bet they had a few words for you.
94 posted on 05/19/2005 7:35:32 AM PDT by South O proud
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To: South O proud

Didn't have to assume. The IP ADDRESS WAS THE SAME as I have said numerous times. I don't allow it on my blog.

My blog, my rules. No IP monkey business, no anonymous posts.

And that is exactly why you won't post there.


95 posted on 05/19/2005 9:30:21 AM PDT by ancilla
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To: ancilla
No accusation was made or suggested against Stravinskas. The "public" newspaper articles that were posted were in reply to the following statement:

There is no connection between the Society of St. John, or the priests named as abusing children, and Father Stravinskas."
96 posted on 05/19/2005 4:33:53 PM PDT by Concerned Catholic
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To: South O proud
Ancilla's blog address is shown in her 5/14 post. She made the statement on another blog or message board.

Gotta go out of town so God bless in the meantime and pray for St. Anthony's.
97 posted on 05/19/2005 4:43:49 PM PDT by Concerned Catholic
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To: Concerned Catholic

"What is defamatory?
A statement is defamatory if it tends to lower the plaintiff in the estimation of right thinking members of society generally. Alternatively speaking, the matter tends to make the plaintiff shunned or avoided by right-thinking members of society. The meaning of the defamatory nature of the statement can be literal or by inference.

By asking yourself the question, "would the person, group, or business named in your post, being a clearly identified entity, institute an action if he/she/it considered the posting to injure his/her/its reputation/standing if the posting were shown to be untrue."

While in slander damages have to be proven, in libel damages are presumed."


98 posted on 05/19/2005 5:34:23 PM PDT by ancilla
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To: Concerned Catholic

"Many came to Mass to hear Father Stravinskas' side of the story, but he did not attend. The parish bulletin reported that he's in Rome this week and it didn't mention anything about the allegations. "It is disappointing because you don't know what the fate of our church is," said Mary Antanelis, one of several parishioners who met in the social hall after Mass to talk about the parish's future. "When you have funds set aside in case of an emergency and those funds are no longer there and that's a surprise to us, yeah. It was kind of like your bank account was completely depleted."

Not TOO surprised though. She stated this on camera in public. The receipt for the work done shows that she knew otherwise.


99 posted on 05/19/2005 5:54:19 PM PDT by ancilla
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To: omahacatholic
In response to numerous questions asked in these threads about the trust:
The trust was started in December, 1996, LONG BEFORE WE EVEN HEARD of Father Stravinskas and was not touched until October of 2002!!!
100 posted on 05/19/2005 6:40:53 PM PDT by Angelas
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