By Kelly Farrell
Naples Daily News
July 25, 2010
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/25/st-leo-catholic-church-priest-bonita-springs-place/
BONITA SPRINGS — Stan Strycharz, a popular priest at St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs has been placed on administrative leave, Diocese of Venice officials said Sunday.
Strycharz did not celebrate Mass on Saturday or Sunday. Bishop Frank J. Dewane made the announcement to church-goers at services held over the weekend.
The news prompted many parish members to moan. Dozens stood up and left the church upon hearing Dewane's announcement at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Dewane, at each Mass, stressed that Strycharz's removal and personnel issues that led to this are not at all connected to any sexual involvement with a child, said Robert Reddy, a diocese spokesman.
"In our current times, unfortunately, it's necessary to tell everyone that this has nothing to do with abuse of a minor," said Reddy.
| Fr. Stan Strycharz speaks during a special memorial mass held at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs earlier this year. Strycharz has been placed on administrative leave by the Diocese of Venice, St. Leo members said July 25. Photo by Greg Kahn |
Rosa Gonzalez, who attended a Sunday Mass, said she was shocked to learn of the announcement.
"This church was nothing before Father Stan. We probably had the lowest following in the community. Now it's full of families and young people," said Gonzalez of North Naples.
Strycharz was appointed church administrator in 2005.
Gonzalez came to the 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday with her two nephews, ages 13 and 15 years old. She was among those who chose to leave Mass after hearing the news.
"We had to leave. It was so disruptive," she explained. "A lot of parents pulled their children out. It's not what you want to show your children of church."
Church-goers were upset about the lack of information about why the decision was made, they said.
"It's just unacceptable," Gonzalez said following a return to the 11:30 a.m. Mass without the children.
"This wasn't done on a whim and it wasn't an overexertion of the bishop's authority," Reddy countered. "The bishop was receiving concerns from parishioners of indiscretions taking place at the parish."
When Dewane and Strycharz met Friday, they came to an impasse on what to do with the personnel issues in question, Reddy said.
"He (Dewane) was very saddened by this," Reddy said.
| Area priests helped to celebrate the Bishop∙s Mass and Blessing of the new St. John Neumann statue at St. John Neumann High School. L to R: Rev. Dennis Harten, Parish Administrator of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Rev. Dr. Stan Strycharz, Pastor, St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Rev. Thomas Zalewski, Chaplin of St. John Neumann High School and Parochial Vicar of St. Agnes Church, Rev. Stephen Shott, OSFS, Parocial Vicar of St. Ann∙s Church and Rev. Gregg M. Caggianelli, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Venice. Photographed on September 1, 2009. Kelli Stanko/ Special to the Daily News |
Strycharz was well liked and helped build the church both in number of parishioners and size of the church buildings, which continue to be expanded.
"That's a testament to Father Stan. He's beloved. It was a shaky parish when he got here and then, now, it's like 'wow,'" Reddy said of growth Strycharz brought to the church over the past five years.
The people are upset because of a lack of information, Reddy acknowledged.
"We'll try to communicate to the extent we're allowed to," he said.
However, because it's a personnel issue, neither church law or state law allows the church to share specifics on the allegations made against church employees, Reddy said.
"There is a lot of rumor," he said. "This will continue until it's resolved and perhaps forever."
Church-goers gathered outside following the 11:30 a.m. Mass saying that they plan to circulate a petition requesting the return of Father Stan and sending that petition to the cardinal.
The administrative leave will allow time for the Diocese of Venice officials to come to a decision on whether Strycharz will be moved, fired or return to the church, Reddy said.
In the meantime, Stephen McNamara of Fort Myers, Dean of the Central Deanery, is the temporary administrator of St. Leo Parish.
| Fr. Stan Strycharz, center, speaks during a special memorial mass held at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs on April 19, 2010, to remember the Polish dignitaries killed in the April 10 plane crash in Russia. Hundreds in the polish community gathered at the church carrying flags, many wearing their country\'s colors. Fr. Strycharz is originally from Poland. Greg Kahn/Staff |
Reddy said Strycharz had the option to resign or go on leave, and the priest chose to be placed on leave. Strycharz will receive full salary and benefits while away from the church.
Strycharz was born in Mielec, Poland, and has been active as a priest since May 17, 1991, according to the St. Leo website. He was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Venice and attended Orchard Lake Seminary in suburban Detroit.
Strycharz has also worked at San Marco Catholic Church on Marco Island and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. The website lists his hobbies and interests as flying, gardening, hiking and reading.
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