St. Bede Priest Put on Administrative Leave

Bucks County Courier Times
February 16, 2015

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/communities/hamptons/archdiocese-st-bede-priest-put-on-administrative-leave/article_3e4b2867-98ef-5887-884e-c041dcfdacfe.html

Rev. Louis J. Kolenkiewicz (Photo courtesy of CatholicPhilly.com)

A priest at St. Bede the Venerable parish was placed on administrative leave, although allegations against him have nothing to do with his most recent assignment at the church in the Holland section of Northampton, according to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The action against the Rev. Louis J. Kolenkiewicz is in response to concerns regarding alleged violations of The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries and not allegations of illegal or inappropriate contact with a minor, an archdiocese press release stated Monday.

The archdiocese did not divulge details about the allegations, but noted that they first arose in 2005, when he was also assigned to the parish.

Kolenkiewicz, 47, is no longer living at St. Bede, the press release noted. Parishioners were told at all weekend Masses, and counselors were made available for them.

The archdiocese said that additional information has been received regarding the allegations first made in 2005 and again in 2011. Both times, the allegations were reviewed by the archdiocese and law enforcement and no criminal charges resulted against Kolenkiewicz. But the new information requires another review, the archdiocese said.

“In an abundance of caution, Father Kolenkiewicz has been placed on administrative leave,’’ the press release stated.

A priest on administrative leave is not permitted to exercise public ministry, administer any of the sacraments, or present himself publicly as a member of the clergy.

Kolenkiewicz first served at St. Bede from 2004-08. After that he went to Our Lady of Peace in Milmont Park, Delaware County, before being put on administrative leave from 2011-14 and then returning to St. Bede in 2014.

He also was assigned to St. Ignatius in Lower Makefield from 2002-04.

St. Bede officials on Monday referred all questions about the matter to the archdiocese. The newspaper was unsuccessful in attempts to reach archdiocesan spokesman Kenneth Gavin for comment.