Diocese Responds to Allegations Church Leaders Insist Bishop Never Touched Fredonia Man during Argument, The Observer, August 14, 2007

Diocese Responds to Allegations
Church Leaders Insist Bishop Never Touched Fredonia Man during Argument

The Observer
August 14, 2007

http://www.observertoday.com/articles.asp?articleID=15081

Dunkirk Police confirmed Monday that a report was filed concerning an alleged altercation Saturday between Bishop Edward U. Kmiec and Catholic Parishioners Against Church Suppression (CPACS) co-founder Bill Parks, but the Diocese of Buffalo is calling accusations in the report "demonstrably false."

According to a release from Dunkirk Police, Parks came to Police Headquarters at 3:25 a.m. Sunday morning to report the alleged incident that had taken place at 8:45 p.m. Saturday night inside the Clarion Hotel.

Bishop Kmiec

Parks claims the bishop launched into a long-lasting tirade shortly after the two posed for a photo when the bishop learned who Parks was, and that the bishop also forcefully jabbed him in the chest multiple times with his finger.

Parks has not pressed charges in the matter, police say.

"Mr. Parks requested only that a report be on file and the diocese be advised of the incident," the release states. "No charges were requested and none have been filed."

The Diocese of Buffalo released a statement Monday saying that not only is Parks' account untrue, but also that Parks himself "had a clear intention to harass and provoke Bishop Kmiec rather than engage in meaningful discussion."

Terrence M. Connors, counsel for the diocese, has asked county District Attorney David Foley to review Parks' filed report to determine whether it is false.

"We are in the process of working with the district attorney's office and providing them with eyewitness statements," Connors said. "We are hoping for a quick resolution of this situation."

Both sides say they have witnesses who can attest to each version of the encounter, and both accounts verify that two bystanders stepped between Bishop Kmiec and Parks to help end the altercation. But while witnesses on Parks' side say that the bishop "immediately" began yelling at Parks and jabbed him, the diocese's witnesses tell matters differently.

"According to the eyewitnesses, there was no physical contact between Bishop Kmiec and Mr. Parks, even though Mr. Parks persisted in his efforts to harass Bishop Kmiec," the diocese said in its statement. "Others in attendance tried to speak calmly with Mr. Parks in an effort to encourage him to stop his provocative behavior. In fact, two witnesses stepped in front of Bishop Kmiec to shield him from the harassing conduct of Mr. Parks."

There has been a history of correspondence between CPACS and the diocese concerning proposals that would potentially close some local parishes as part of the "Journey in Faith and Grace" initiative. Representatives of the diocese have also met with CPACS twice, most recently on Aug. 10. No decisions regarding the proposals have yet been made.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.