Controversy as Florida bishop removes popular priest from parish

CatholicCulture.org

27 July 2010

Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice (Florida) has placed a popular Polish priest on administrative leave for unspecified reasons.

“If you worked at the bank or Naples Daily News and these accusations, these concerns, were brought up against you, your bosses would take action,” said diocesan spokesman Bob Reddy.

Bishop Dewane announced Father Stan Strycharz’s removal at Mass on July 25. “Then people were yelling at the people who were yelling at the bishop,” recounted Reddy, who said 20 people were shouting. “I was shaking at that point.”

Reddy emphasized that Father Strycharz has not been accused of child sexual abuse. “We don’t want to hurt Father Stan’s reputation if some of these things don’t pan out.”

The Naples Daily News article on the priest’s removal includes the remarkable statement that “canon laws prohibit church employees from activities such as drinking alcohol.”

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Bonita Springs priest put on leave 

St. Leo’s pastor being investigated 

Citizen-Times.com 

26 July 2010 

By Chris Umpierre • cumpierre@news-press.com • July 26, 2010  

 

Rev. Stan Strycharz of St. Leo Catholic Church was placed on paid administrative leave for undisclosed reasons. (news-press.com file photo) 

1:10 A.M. — Some parishioners at Bonita Springs’ largest Catholic church are in a state of shock this morning after a popular priest was placed on paid administrative leave for undisclosed reasons. 

But other parishioners who filed several complaints are the reason the Rev. Stan Strycharz of St. Leo Catholic Church won’t be allowed to celebrate Mass as the Diocese of Venice investigates. 

Bishop Frank Dewane delivered the news at six Masses at St. Leo on Sunday, but gave few details other than to say the leave “does not relate to any abuse of minors.” 

Bob Reddy, a diocese spokesman, said canon law of the Catholic Church forbids Dewane from divulging details. 

Dewane had been investigating the matter for several months before meeting with Strycharz on Friday and putting him on paid leave, Reddy said. 

Reddy said the diocese is in the process of doing a complete audit of St. Leo. This includes looking at the church’s financial and sacramental records. 

“The locks were changed at the church because of privacy concerns,” Reddy said. “We have to check every record.” 

Reddy couldn’t say when the audit would be done. 

“If it turns out to be a nonissue, Father Stan will come back here or he could be reassigned to another church,” Reddy said. “If it goes to another level, he could resign or be forced to leave the priesthood. Those are the extreme examples, but there’s no way to know how this will end.” 

Strycharz, who has been at St. Leo for five years, played a key role in increasing St. Leo’s parishioners to 2,200 families. Strycharz oversaw a recent $21 million church expansion. St. Leo expanded its church from 900 to 1,500 seats in 2009 and is in the process of building a $12 million activities center. 

“We can’t believe it,” parishioner Theresa Waryas said after Sunday Mass. “Since he got here, he’s really inspired people. He just made you feel so good to come to church.” 

Sam Gentile, a 10-year parishioner, wants more answers from the diocese. 

“He didn’t do (anything) bad as far as we can see,” Gentile said. “I think they should say more about what happened.” 

A native of Poland, Strycharz has been a priest since May 1991. He was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Venice and attended Orchard Lake Seminary in Detroit. Strycharz served at the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and at San Marco Church on Marco Island before coming to Bonita. 

Dewane said Stephen McNamara of Fort Myers, dean of the central deanery, will take over as St. Leo’s temporary administrator. 

Some parishioners didn’t take the news well. Reddy said about 12 parishioners walked out of church after Dewane made one of his announcements. 

“At two Masses, there were outbursts with people saying, ‘I want to know more information’ and ‘How can you do this to Father Stan?’” Reddy said. “This is an emotional issue. When you go to a parish for a long time and you love your priest, people become attached. But there’s more to this than people know.”

Reddy said a parishioner walked up to Dewane and claimed Dewane took the action for a “power trip.” 

“That’s crazy,” Reddy said. “This is not something you do on a whim.’” 

In making his announcement at the beginning of his homily Sunday, Dewane hinted that it was difficult. 

“It saddens me to have to announce this, and I know many of you are also saddened by it,” Dewane said. “Father Stan has been a positive contributor to the church. It will be a top priority of mine that St. Leo parish will continue to thrive.” 

Staff writer Christina Cepero contributed to this report.