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	Charge Leads to Priest's Departure By Brian Callaway and Daniel Patrick Sheehan The Morning Call December 4, 2008 http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5priest.6695117dec04,0,3056023.story Carbon monsignor: He was accused of fondling himself on N.J. beach in June. When Monsignor Lawrence J. Bukaty abruptly left his post as pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Carbon County only days after presiding over its inaugural Mass, parishioners were told he had left for health reasons. Officials have now confirmed that Bukaty had another motive to leave: The 58-year-old was charged with public lewdness in June after a park ranger saw him fondling himself on a nude beach in New Jersey. Bukaty, who's held several assignments in the Allentown Diocese over the years, pleaded guilty July 30 to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, according to court records. As part of his probation, he must stay out of Sandy Hook, the federal park where clothing-optional Gunnison Beach is located. Diocese spokesman Matt Kerr said Bukaty is in a treatment center somewhere in Pennsylvania but could not say what kind of treatment he is receiving. Court papers say Bukaty ''is excused from the mandatory drug-testing provision'' of probation, though, indicating the priest may not be receiving treatment for substance-abuse issues. Bukaty's future as a priest is uncertain. While the Catholic Church has been buffeted by a series of sex scandals in recent years, Kerr noted Bukaty's arrest ''is not a violation of the charter for the protection of children,'' the document drawn up in the wake of the clerical abuse scandal that erupted in 2002. If Bukaty's actions had violated that charter, he would have been removed from public duty in the church. Kerr also said he knew of no previous allegations of wrongdoing against Bukaty. Bukaty approached a diocesan official and resigned in late July, shortly after presiding over the dedication of the newly formed St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Lansford. The church was created by the consolidation of six churches, including three parishes where Bukaty had served as pastor. Congregants were told only that the monsignor had stepped down for health reasons. He was replaced by the Rev. Kenneth Medve. Kerr defended telling parishioners Bukaty stepped down because of his health, saying the priest does indeed have health problems. Bukaty could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Bukaty's lawyer, Grant McGuire of Newark, N.J., said he hasn't spoken to his client since his July 30 court date, and did not know what sort of treatment he's receiving or where he is now. According to federal court papers, a ranger at Gunnison Beach spotted Bukaty fondling himself ''with several park visitors near'' him around 5 p.m. on June 15. He pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Mautone and was ordered to pay a fine of $525. He was also placed on probation for one year. Bukaty was born in Kansas City, Kan. He was ordained in 1976 and named a monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in February. In addition to Lansford, he has served churches in Emmaus and Mahanoy City and was a teacher at now-defunct Cardinal Brennan High School in Ashland. Contact: brian.callaway@mcall.com or 610-820-6168
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