"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?