Posted on 12/06/2005 1:42:45 PM PST by NYer
Springfield, Dec. 06, 2005 (CNA) - Bishop John Leibrecht of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO, is defending his decision to suspend a priest who left his post--despite the bishop’s orders--to serve at a dissident St. Louis parish.
Fr. Marek Bozek, a native Polish priest and associate pastor of St. Agnes Cathedral, decided last week to leave his own diocese to serve at St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish parish in St. Louis.
That parish has broken away from its own bishop and refused to restructure itself in compliance with Canon Law.
St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke has been entangled in a two year-long debacle with St. Stanislaus, which currently operates under a structure in which the pastor is subject to the authority of the parish governing board.
Archbishop Burke has pointed out that this structure is in violation of Canon Law, and over a year ago, removed the priests assigned to St. Stanislaus and moved official Polish language masses to a nearby parish.
In a letter to the Springfield News-Leader, Bishop Leibrecht lamented having to suspend Fr. Bozek, calling it a “wrenching experience for a Catholic bishop to have to suspend a priest from further ministry.”
He recalled that the young priest--who has been ordained for only three years--had asked him “for a leave of absence so that he could go to St. Stanislaus Kostka parish in St. Louis.”
Because of needs at St. Agnes, the bishop said he reminded Fr. Bozek “that at his ordination three years ago, he solemnly promised to work in this diocese at parishes where I and my successors would assign him. I told him I expected him to keep that promise.”
Bishop Leibrecht stressed that Bozek remains a priest for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and that “He is welcome to return, the sooner the better.”
He said he fully expects the priest to eventually return and “offer appropriate apologies to his brother priests, and to the pastor and people of St. Agnes Cathedral whom he left in the lurch by his untimely departure.”
Check out Fr. Marek Bozek's bio
He arrived here from Poland in August 2000 unable to speak English. He moves into St. Agnes parish in Springfield, MO and takes intensive English classes for one semester, presumably at the Diocese's expense. Then he goes directly to St. Meinrad seminary, also presumably paid for the by people of Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese, since he claims he arrived with 85 dollars in his pocket and has no family here.
Then after only 2 years of formation, on his 28th birthday, he's ordained by Bishop Leibrecht.
What was the rush? And how did a young man in Poland, drifting from one seminary to another, get plugged into the system over here so quickly and efficiently?
3 years later (2005), he's described by a local college group as being "one the youngest and most progressive" priests in the area.
Father Bozek's homily November 6, 2005 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield, MO.
He's a dissident Catholic. Did the seminary at St. Meinrad's not have any clue as to his inclinations? or did they and his bishop know, and ordain him anyway?
I wonder what the people of Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese think about footing the bill for this man's tuition, food, travel, room/board, expenses for 2 1/2 years, just to have him thumb his nose at them in favor of a dissident group in St. Louis.
They are well rid of him.
What the heck is this: studying liberation theology at a Presbyterian seminary? Is the man Catholic or Protestant?
That's a good question.
You owe garbage an apology
Other background information from Dom's site.
That's certainly an ... odd ... take on the parable of the 10 virgins. Frankly, it smells of socialism (yes, we're total idiots ... but give us some of your oil anyway. From each according to her ability, to each according to her need) or maybe some sort of universalism.
"You owe garbage an apology" - Excellent!
I think the wise Virgins left St. Stan's a long time ago.
Sounds like a good bishop. He carries through.
I agree and it's ironic because Fr. Bozek claims to have been part of the fight to bring down Communism.
Then he comes to the United States and starts pushing socialistic ideals and getting combative with the Church.
It's a head shaker.
Sounds like Divine Providence or perfect Justice to me.
A stubborn,bull headed people,disobedient to the Magisterium got themselves a presby/catholic,socialist,Marxist priest without faculties while a weak bishop with a poor vocations director,who obviously didn't apply good spiritual or intelligent discernment practices is out one disobedient priest.
LOl!
That's why YOU are the keeper of the list!
Seems like maybe he's neither.
You're sure right about that. This young immigrant may be doing nothing more than so many American men and women who have entered religious life in recent decades - using the free ride and the cover of the Church to promote their political agenda.
A Commie won't be welcome at St. Stanislaus. The Church is closing parishes because it is short of funds..because of the hush money the Church has paid to abuse victims(and some frauds)rather than referring the whole matter to civil authorities. St. Stanislaus is in the path of urban gentrification and has become valuable property. I wish I were more confident of the bishops' motives- both Rigali and Walsh.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.