ALBANY (NY)
The Empire Journal
A state Supreme Court Judge has granted the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese a temporary restraining order against John Aretakis, the Albany attorney who they say is harassing parishioners and neighbors of Holy Cross Church and School by his weekly protests at the church during Sunday Masses.
Judge Thomas J. Spargo signed the order and has scheduled a hearing in the matter for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. in state Supreme Court.
Aretakis and his associates have been ordered to stay at least 100 feet away from the church and the school. Spargo also ordered that Aretakis is not to interfere with parishioners as they enter and exit the church.
A church spokesman says that Aretakis has been involved in at least three confrontations with parishioners and neighbors at the church since June when he and a group known as SNAP led by Mark Lyman, another claimant against the church, began picketing Sunday Masses including leafleting cars of parishioners.
Aretakis has publicly accused the Rev. Daniel Maher, pastor of Holy Cross Church, of engaging in sexual abuse of a minor over 30 years ago.