Priest Facing D.w.i. Charge Allegedly Flees to Poland, by Matt Pitts, WIVB, August 20, 2011

Priest Facing D.w.i. Charge Allegedly Flees to Poland

By Matt Pitts
WIVB
August 20, 2011

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/131507/1/Priest-Facing-DWI-Charge-Allegedly-Flees-to-Poland

[with video]

Father Matthew Wydmanski

BUFFALO, NY -- A Buffalo pastor who faces D.W.I. charges has allegedly left town and may have returned to his native Poland.

Buffalo Police say Father Matthew Wydmanski, pastor of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, was arrested on August 6th on charges of D.W.I, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and fleeing an officer and was due in City Court last Friday.

Reverend Joseph Olczak who leads the Pauline Fathers, which is the order Father Wydmanski is part of, says the priest did not show up for his preliminary hearing and apparently fled the country.

Father Olczak sent 2 On Your Side a statement which read, in part, "As Provincial of this Order, I did not give Father Matthew permission to leave and I do not condone his actions. The Pauline Fathers consider it an honor to serve Corpus Christi Parish and do not condone drunk driving or fleeing to avoid prosecution."

This comes at a time when Corpus Christi is holding its annual Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival. Parishioners say the developments that involve Father Wydmanski are not having an impact on their plans and the festival will go on as scheduled.