Texsox Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 MARINE CITY, Mich. -- The Vatican has upheld the suspension of a Michigan priest and has defrocked a second priest, both of whom were accused of sexually abusing minors, the Archdiocese of Detroit said Sunday. The Roman Catholic Church upheld Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida's decision to place the Reverend James Wysocki, 63, on leave from his job as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Marine City on Feb. 1, 2003. Maida acted after an Archdiocesan Review Board found evidence of sexual abuse during the early years of Wysocki's ministry. Prosecutors did not seek charges because of statute of limitations issues. Maida asked Wysocki to resign, but the priest declined and instead appealed to the Vatican. The Rev. Timothy Birney was installed Sunday as pastor of Holy Cross, the archdiocese said. Wysocki was ordained in 1967 and became associate pastor at St. Michael Parish in Pontiac. In 1972, he took on additional responsibility as chaplain and counselor at Pontiac Catholic High School. In 1977, he became pastor of St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore. In a letter to parishioners, Maida asked for "continued prayers for the church, for Father Wysocki and Father Birney," the archdiocese said in a news release. "It is my hope and prayer ... Holy Cross Parish will continue to move forward in our common service of the Lord and his people." Maida also announced Sunday that Pope John Paul II had issued a decree dismissing the Rev. Joseph Sito, 68, from the priesthood, a process known as laicization. Sito has been on leave since 1993 from his job as pastor of St. Cletus Parish in Warren "due to substantive allegations of sexual abuse of minors," the archdiocese said. In 1999, Sito was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct after he was accused of convincing a 17-year-old boy to expose himself, court records show. In a deal with the prosecutor's office, Sito pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of assault, and the sex offense was dismissed. He paid a fine and did not go to jail. hypocrites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 hypocrites Thats what, 1 out of how many priests? It's a start, but only that, a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 It's been more than that. Now if school districts were open about this problem we could start going back to school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 This is my last post on this subject (famous last words). I've known several people who were sexual abused as children. The way the clergy/admin in the Catholic Church have handled this is laughable. I admire you for being able to have faith and belief in this church but after seeing, first hand, how the victims have been treated, I have nil (which is not to say I don't belive in God). One of the past Sox players' was a victim of priest and he managed to hold his faith. All I can say is I wish I had his strength, but after seeing the effects of this particular crime and the lack of what has been done (at least in the Chicago/midwest area), I can't follow a church that teaches "Do as I say, not as I do." But, I do commend those that can see it differently. I also noticed that it only took about 10 years to get to this point and inspite of evidence of crimes it is noteable that he walks away with fines. If they are serious about cracking down, why didn't they turn over the evidence to the police? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 It's been more than that. Now if school districts were open about this problem we could start going back to school. School is mandatory, church is optional. Medicine is necessary, church is optional. Sure, you can home-school and try to treat your own injuries/illnesses, but it's much easier to achieve your chosen level of religious practice without organized churches then it is to home-school or self-doctor. I don't know exactly what changed, but I used to get a really good feeling from attending mass, and I don't get that feeling anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zach23 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 I consider the catholic church to be hypocrites for other things than the sex abuse scandals. All of their teachings tell us to forget material possesions and you will be rewarded in heaven. Why then are there parishes that needed to raise funds for cosmetic improvements to their church? If they need the money for the basics like a new roof or furnace, fine, but my parish wanted to raise 1.2 million for a church that was like new. This money was used for fancy pews, expensive altar chairs, marble stairs, etc. The heating system and roof had recently been replaced with money from the building fund. Why couldn't this other money go to the poor instead of just to make the church look better? When I sat there in mass each week they made me feel guilty about owning any possesions and actually suggested that parishoners get a second job to help raise these funds. This is a classic example of do as I say not as I do. Don't concern yourself with material possesions, but it is ok for us to go out and buy a $600 chair for the altar. On that same note, why is it that the cardinal must live in an expensive manision? What is the purpose? Why not sell that place and help the poor? Can't the cardinal live in a simple rectory like the rest of the clergy? I am not supposed to be concerned with living in a huge home, why does he have to? The hypocrisy is that the catholic church is run like a multi-million dollar corporation that is overly concerned about money and possesions and power, but every week they try and make their followers feel quilty about striving for these same things. I am sure there are clergy members in the church that are not like this, but it seems that the overwhelming majority are, especially the ones that are in power. These are some of the reasons I have given up on the catholic church, and will find peace and god in my own way. I can give money to charities myself and know that it is going to those in need and not to pay for fancy furniture and vestments. I did not give up on the catholic church solely because of the sex abuse scandals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zach61 Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 I gave up on it when I wanted to make my communion, but it was at the church down the street. They told me I couldn't make it there and had to wait until my church had the ceremony. I learned at a very young age that if I wasn't giving my envelope to that church, they didn't care about me. I told the priest right there on the steps after mass that I would never come back or give them another dime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted January 13, 2004 Share Posted January 13, 2004 replaced with money from the building fund. Why couldn't this other money go to the poor instead of just to make the church look better? When I sat there in mass each week they made me feel guilty about owning any possesions and actually suggested that parishoners get a second job to help raise these funds. This is a classic example of do as I say not as I do. Don't concern yourself with material possesions, but it is ok for us to go out and buy a $600 chair for the altar. On that same note, why is it that the cardinal must live in an expensive manision? What is the purpose? Why not sell that place and help the poor? This was something that was brought up in the other post. I mentioned something similar - the expensive dinners, new(er) cars every year or two for the priest and lavish living quarters. The mansion for the Cardinal is something I have never understood myself. My great aunt passed away at the age of 101 two years ago - she became a nun at the age of 18 (I believe 18 was the age my mom told me). She lived the life of poverty. Whe she died, she had religious statues and cards that she received through her life and a few articles of clothing, that was it. She was a principle at Lourdes high school, taught in some other schools and did many other things while in the convent. She mentioned a few times that being a nun now-a-days is too similar to being in a soroity - she was vehemently against nuns being able to wear everyday clothing rather than a habit and having/sharing apartments rather than living in a convent. I did not give up on the catholic church solely because of the sex abuse scandals. Ditto. For me, the sex abuse scandals were the last straw on the camel's back, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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