Commentary: Parishioner defends Shelton pastor’s performance

By Linda Hvizdo
SheltHerald
June 1, 2014

http://sheltonherald.com/43396/commentary-parishioner-defends-shelton-pastors-performance/

The Rev. John J. Stronkowski has been removed as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton by the Diocese of Bridgeport.

I, along with many other parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Church in Shelton, feel the forced resignation and public flogging of Father John Stronkowski is unfair and unacceptable.

Why? First of all, the parishioners were given limited information on why he was forcefully removed while the rest of the story was broadcast in the local media.

Prior to Mass, we were read a letter from the Bishop Caggiano, and instructed not to comment. No comments allowed? The very people who support the church are not allowed to question or comment, to get the real truth?

I have asked countless fellow parishioners and not one can understand why he is accused of not carrying on his ministerial duties as he has done more for our parish than any priest we can remember in over 30 years.

Father John is being chastised for not living at the rectory. Where does the Pope live? He is also being accused of having growing difficulties with the staff because he fired two of them. Why did he fire them? Perhaps it was necessary?

He supposedly had difficulties with “lay leaders.” Who are these people? I cannot find anyone to say anything other than how happy they are with his performance.

But with no comments allowed. We can’t know if there are maybe three people vs. 1,003 that have issues with him?

While there may be circumstances that cause a perception of him not being available to tend to his flock, I know personally that he drops whatever he is doing to go to someone in need.

He may teach classes, but he is sharing the gifts God gave him, including the many repairs he has done for our parish that saved us significant amounts of money.

But I was told by the bishop’s spokesperson that that is not acceptable for a priest to do, he has to make a choice to either minister exclusively, or choose another career. Like we have enough good priests to cast one out for having other interests. Didn’t Jesus do carpentry?

According to the newspapers, there were rumors that he may be seeing a woman, and although Father John denies it, the public is told he is being reviewed for clerical misconduct involving another adult. A public flogging with no proof.

But when we have a priest that does the unthinkable with a child, he just gets moved to another parish with everything swept under the carpet.

This may be Bishop Caggiano’s way of protecting the faithful and the integrity of the priesthood, but I, along with many others, believe he assaulted the integrity of Father John in public before he was given a fair trial, and the most insulting part is, the parishioners of St. Margaret Mary were not asked their opinions or feelings, but told to keep quiet.

It appears unidentified “lay leaders” are the only ones worthy of having an opinion.

I urge all who have their own opinions to call Bishop Caggiano and express their concerns. Evidently, another priest is being appointed our pastor in June. So much for a fair review — guilty before proven.

I, for one, think Father John has done an outstanding job of tending to the church and parishioners and would like him to be appointed our pastor.