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	Priest Flees Country As Festival Begins WIVB August 19, 2011 http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/crime/Priest-flees-country-as-festival-begins [with video] His parish is hosting a big weekend festival, but the priest is out of the country after skipping a court date on DWI and reckless endangerment charges. While the mood appeared upbeat at the Corpus Christi Church's Polish Harvest Festival, there was an underlying sadness, because the church's spiritual leader, Fr. Matthew Wydmanski, has fled the country for Poland, after being charged with DWI and reckless endangerment. Acting parish council president Beverly Sikora said, "I think people are just very sad, and very sad that it just so happened to coincide with our Harvest Festival." Fr. Wydmanski has been described as a quiet, hard working priest. That's why parishioners were shocked to learn that he's been accused of nearly striking two police officers near Hertel Avenue after fleeing in his vehicle. Festival volunteer Dee Stetz said, "Everybody's brokenhearted. Nobody wants to say things, because, do we know the whole, full truth? No." "Father Matthew did not have permission to leave the United States," says the area Provincial of the Pauline Order, which oversees the Corpus Christi Church. "I did not give him permission to leave, and I do not condone his actions." District Attorney Frank Sedita is hoping the Catholic Church will convince Fr. Matthew to return to Buffalo to answer the charges. The head of the Polish American Attorneys of Western New York called the flight of Fr. Matthew "unfortunate," but he is urging the D.A. not to seek extradition. Polish American Attorneys of Western New York president Thomas Kobus said, "I think it's best to see if this thing could be handled voluntarily, and I think that would be the best interest of justice for all concerned." Sikora said Corpus Christi Church is trying to focus on the festival and come together as a community.
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