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	Ordination of Deacon Scrapped By David Singleton The Times-Tribune [Paterson] May 26, 2007 http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18390996&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6 The ordination of the former superior general of the controversial Society of St. John as a priest in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., is on hold. Deacon Joseph Levine was one of five men whose ordination by Paterson's bishop, the Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, was set for this morning at St. John the Baptist Church in Paterson. The diocese confirmed Deacon Levine would not be ordained today in a two-sentence statement issued Thursday by Monsignor James T. Mahoney, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia. Deacon Levine became superior general of the Society of St. John in 2002, the same year a former St. Gregory's Academy student filed a federal sexual abuse lawsuit against two society priests, the Revs. Carlos Urrutigoity and Eric Ensey, and the Diocese of Scranton. At the time, the society, which had been recognized by the diocese as a public association of the faithful, was headquartered at a rural enclave in Shohola, Pike County. The Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, bishop of Scranton, suppressed the society in November 2004 in the midst of the lingering abuse case and the organization's mounting financial problems. The diocese settled the lawsuit with the former student in 2005 for $380,000. Efforts to reach Diocese of Paterson communications director Marianna Thompson or other diocesan officials were unsuccessful Friday, and it was unclear whether Deacon Levine's ordination had been canceled or simply postponed. The brief statement by Monsignor Mahoney indicated the action was related to e-mails sent to Bishop Serratelli and other diocesan leaders. "This is to acknowledge and thank all those who have sent e-mails to any member of our diocesan leadership with respect to Deacon Joseph Levine. He will not be ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 2007," Monsignor Mahoney said. Some of those e-mails came from Jeffrey Bond, Ph.D., who had a falling out with the Society of St. John after it hired him to help establish a college at Shohola. He has since become its harshest, most relentless critic. In an April 14 e-mail to Bishop Serratelli that later found its way onto several Catholic-related Web sites and message boards, Dr. Bond accused Deacon Levine of using his position as superior general to defend Fathers Urrutigoity and Ensey "long after the threshold for moral certitude concerning their guilt had been crossed." "It is hoped that, upon examination of these facts, you will become convinced that Deacon Levine must never be permitted to work in a parish or ever be ordained as a priest," Dr. Bond told the bishop. Efforts to reach Deacon Levine were unsuccessful. The deacon planned to celebrate a Mass on Sunday afternoon at the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Dickson City, which he considers his home parish, but it has been canceled, said Monsignor Patrick Pratico, the church's pastor. William Genello, spokesman for the Diocese of Scranton, said Deacon Levine is a deacon in the Diocese of Paterson and referred questions to Ms. Thompson's office. "We have no further information and no further comment," Mr. Genello said. Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com
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