Family Outraged over Priest Accepting Large Gift, WFTV, November 2, 2007

Family Outraged over Priest Accepting Large Gift

WFTV
November 2, 2007

http://www.wftv.com/news/14451905/detail.html

Father Frank Mutsko met Dolores Raucina at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando when she was 84-years-old.

"He knew that she was a wealthy widow. And he wanted to get involved with her. Be very friendly," said Raucina's niece, Pat Perfito.

Perfito, who lives in Orlando, says Mutsko soon figured out how much her deeply religious aunt revered priests. Perfito says after that, her aunt consulted the priest about everything, to the point where the family believes he even turned Dolores Raucina against them.

"He's a very bad priest," said Perfito. "He is not representing the church as he should and he's definitely not representing Christ as he should."

After Raucina died earlier this year, the family found dozens of checks that she had written to Mutsko, some of which Mutsko says he used to buy a Lexus and this $200,000 condominium. Raucina had even changed her will, giving her $250,000 home in Wisconsin to the priest.

"She never had any children and often referred to me as "my son, the priest," said Mutsko.

Mutsko called Dolores Raucina a very kind, generous woman and denies doing anything wrong.

"I did not ask for anything," he said.

But her family says he did. And members say after they complained, Mutsko admitted to church leaders he accepted half a million dollars in cash and property from Raucina. But the bishop told the family there was no proof that it was anything other than a gift. The diocese told Channel 9 Mutsko was asked "to prayerfully consider returning the money to the family." But he "has declined."

As a priest, Mutsko is called to live a simple lifestyle.

When asked, "Are you living a simple life by having a $50,000 Lexus and a $200,000 condo?" he answered, "I have no comment."

When asked "Did you promise to live a simple life?" he responded, "I have no comment."

Mutsko said he's given most of the money to charity but wouldn't get specific.

"I've done some charities," he said. "I haven't identified others yet."

Raucina's relatives say their fight is not about the money.

"My thought is, I just don't want him to do this to anybody else," said her niece.

Mutsko just retired from his position as a vicar in The Villages. The diocese wouldn't comment on any benefits he would receive.