Bishop removes Shelton priest

By Michael P. Mayko
CT Post
May 11, 2014

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Bishop-removes-Shelton-priest-5470083.php

The Rev. John J. Stronkowski has resigned from his position at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish.

SHELTON -- The Rev. John J. Stronkowski has been removed from his pastoral duties at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Church by the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, who cited the priest's "persistent absenteeism" and difficulties with parish staff.

The Rev. Frederick Saviano, the Bridgeport Diocese's 72-year-old director for the propagation of the faith, was appointed to serve as St. Margaret Mary's temporary administrator. Caggiano said he expects to appoint a new pastor around June 15.

Attempts to reach Stronkowski, 54, by phone and email were unsuccessful Sunday.

A letter advising parishioners of the bishop's decision and reasoning was read to those attending Saturday and Sunday Mass at the church.

In the letter, the bishop told the parish's 700 families the change came as a result of Stronkowski's "persistent absenteeism from both the rectory and the parish and its ministries, his growing difficulties with both the staff and lay leaders of the parish and other personal and administrative shortcomings."

Caggiano said he "sought and accepted" Stronkowski's resignation.

Stronkowski had been serving as St. Margaret Mary's administrator and was on the verge of being appointed pastor next month.

But the bishop said that appointment will "not go forward as previously planned."

Instead, "Father Stronkowski will take a leave of absence effective immediately, to spend time in prayer and to reflect upon his future in the ministry."

"Since last weekend I have given both the parish staff and the lay leadership of the parish an opportunity to meet with Diocesan officials on the matter," Bishop Caggiano's letter continued. "Further, I have referred this issue to the Ministerial Misconduct Advisory Board for review and recommendation. The board assists me in reviewing cases of clerical misconduct, either involving adults or that occurs in the exercise of his ministry, and where I must consider action regarding that cleric's assignment, including temporary or permanent removal or suspension."

The board is expected to meet on the matter this week. Board members will attempt to determine what happened and whether Stronkowski will be able to minister as a priest in the future.

For now, he cannot perform any priestly duties.

Brian Wallace, the diocese's spokesman, said the bishop is aware of rumors that a relationship was involved, but said "no complaint has been made, no one has come forward," and "Father Stronkowski has denied those rumors."

Wallace strongly denied Stronkowski's removal has anything to do with children.

"It's basically on ministerial grounds -- his not getting the job done," Wallace said.

Wallace said the bishop ordered Stronkowski to seek professional counseling.

"At this point," Wallace said, "it has not been worked out whether he will participate in individual counseling, an outpatient program or some other kind of clinical program."

Stronkowski became a priest late in life. He was ordained on Dec. 21, 1985, by the late Most. Rev. Walter W. Curtis, then bishop of the Bridgeport Diocese. Later Stronkowski served as pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Bridgeport until its closing in January 2012. From there, he went to St. Margaret Mary, which is on Donovan Place behind the Shelton Board of Education administration building.

Several St. Margaret Mary church bulletins list the spelling of his name differently than the diocese. The bulletins list him as the Rev. John Strynkowski.

Over the years, Stronkowski has said he maintained licenses in plumbing, heating and air conditioning and as a nursing home administrator. He previously told Hearst Connecticut Media he also is a licensed electrician.

Wallace said while Stronkowski's expertise in building and contracting was of assistance to the diocese, his outside involvement in the contractor business may have played a role in his absenteeism.

The removal is Caggiano's first since he became bishop last July.

It also comes just about a year after Stronkowski's two-week-old 2014 Chevrolet Impala and his 1977 Chevelle were splattered with white paint in the church's parking lot and the 37-year-old church was vandalized at a cost of at least $40,000. Only recently was some of the repair work completed.

No arrest was ever made.

Wallace said he does not believe the vandalism is connected with Stronkowski's removal.