BishopAccountability.org
	Group Formed to Restore Priest at Bonita Parish By Mark S. Krzos The News-Press February 10, 2011 http://www.news-press.com/article/20110210/NEWS0102/102100376/1014/BUSINESS/Group-formed-torestore-priest-Bonita-parish?odyssey=nav|head In the days after 2008's Tropical Storm Fay, Bonita Springs City Manager Gary Price said one image remains burned into his memory: The Rev. Stan Strycharz, then administrator of St. Leo Catholic Church, wading through knee-deep waters of Manna Christian RV Park to carry women and children to dry ground.Price's recollection of a priest who would do anything to help is shared by many in the local community, even though Strycharz is without an official flock. More than 350 members of the Bonita Springs-area community - some of whom aren't even Catholic - have banded together to form Save the Southwest Florida Diocese to press Bishop Frank Dewane of the Diocese of Venice to restore Strycharz as St. Leo administrator. Strycharz was placed on forced leave July 23 by Dewane, who revealed to the congregation at a Mass that Strycharz had fathered a child. Strycharz is forbidden to step on church property or celebrate Mass. "He's human," said Price, who isn't Catholic. "I think he's a great guy and very sensitive to the community's needs." The group has also developed a website and written more than 1,400 letters and e-mails to the bishop. The website shows letters and testimonials that say St. Leo parishioners are concerned about the bishop's rule over the diocese. Bob Reddy, spokesman for the Diocese of Venice, said that parishioners were the first to inform the diocese of suspected wrongdoings. "Many of the other matters related to this case are of a personal and private nature and thus it would be inappropriate to comment on them," Reddy said. "There is a group supporting Father Strycharz who repeatedly fails to appreciate this point." More than 250 community members signed a Jan. 3 letter demanding that Strycharz be exonerated, but church officials aren't prepared to do that yet. "No final judgment has been made, nor will it be made in this case pending the completion of the investigation, Reddy said. "Any investigation calls for cooperation. The original time estimate was based upon the promise of cooperation given by Father Strycharz. "However, he has not cooperated in providing information and authorization to the auditors, in order to allow them to complete the auditing process," Reddy said. He said the diocese regrets the length of time it has taken and that a meeting is being scheduled to discuss financial matters relating to St. Leo's. Strycharz was also accused of insubordination for refusing to terminate the parish's religious education and music director, and financial irregularities stemming from a $21 million expansion of the church campus. mkrzos@news-press.com
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