Priest Accused of Exposing Himself to Deputy, RSW Florida, June 8, 2011

Priest Accused of Exposing Himself to Deputy

RSW Florida
June 8, 2011

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/14869959/2011/06/08/priest-accused-of-exposing-himself-to-deputy

Father Bernard Chojnacki

Father Bernard Chojnacki, a Parochial Vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal case against him.

He was arrested Tuesday at Caspersen Beach in Venice for allegedly exposing himself to an undercover Sarasota County sheriff's deputy. He's also accused of grabbing the genitals of the undercover deputy.

Chojnacki is out of jail and the Diocese of Venice says he has been put on administrative leave.

Members of the St. Charles Borromeo church have mixed reactions about Chojnacki's arrest.

"We're all sinners. We all make mistakes," said Margueritte Avery. "I've talked to Father Bernard. I've been in Father Bernard's presence and company. I'm appalled. I find it hard to believe."

Sarasota deputies say it isn't hard to believe. They say the priest groped an undercover deputy before exposing himself. And deputies say it happened at Caspersen Beach in Venice, Florida.

"He should be punished for something," said Gisele Couture-Church member

The Diocese says Chojnacki serves only as a priest and does not work directly with children.

Chojnacki has been a priest at the Diocese of Venice since 2009.

The Diocese of Venice issued the following statement after learning of Chojnacki's arrest.

The Diocese of Venice was made aware this morning of the charges brought against Father Bernard Chojnacki.

Upon hearing of the charges against Father Chojnacki, the Diocese immediate placed him on administrative leave until the situation comes to some sort of resolution.

The charges against Father Chojnacki are unsettling. This is a sad time for the both the Parish and the Diocese, and matters of this nature are taken very seriously.

Father Chojnacki's principal assignment was as Parochial Vicar to St. Charles Borromeo Parish, and as such had no official teaching assignment with the Parish's school.