Dubois Priest on Leave after Sexual Harassment Suit Filed
WJAC
A Clearfield County priest is on leave after the Diocese of Erie was sued for sexual harassment. The diocese confirms Father Dan Kresinski, pastor of both the St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes in DuBois is on paid administrative leave. A woman who worked with Kresinski sued the diocese in federal court earlier this week. She alleges in those court documents that Kresinski would touch himself during meetings. She said she was fired in October of 2013 for complaining to the diocese and that nothing was done. Her complaint said Bishop Lawrence Persico asked her to sign a paper that would prohibit her from going to the media. She said she refused to sign it. The diocese spokesperson Anne-Marie Welsh said a letter from the bishop will be read to the parishioners Sunday. The federal court documents said the woman is asking for all the wages she would have received since being terminated in October 2013. She wants punitive damages as well as other financial compensations, the documents showed. The woman said in her court filing that during every meeting she had with Kresinski, "he would cup his hand under his" genitals and pull them "up towards his waist no less than six times per meeting." Her complaint said in August 2013, she reported the sexual harassment to Joseph Street, Director of Religious Education. She said Street did nothing to address the sexual harassment complaint and he advised her to "politely resign," the document said. "We have not yet received the complaint from our lawyers. As is our policy, the Diocese of Erie will have no comment about this case while it is in litigation," Welsh said Thursday. She said it is standard practice to put someone on leave while the lawsuit is settled. This is the letter Welsh provided 6 News that will be read to the parishioners: Dear Parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph and St. Bernard, On Monday, May 23, a civil complaint was filed against the Diocese of Erie and St. Joseph Parish in DuBois in the U.S. District Court. The plaintiff contends she was "subjected to an offensive, sexually hostile work environment by Father Daniel Kresinski." As is our policy, neither the diocese nor the parish will comment about this case while it is in litigation. Also following procedure, Father Kresinski, pastor of St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes in DuBois, has been put on administrative leave, effective immediately, until the case is resolved. I have appointed Msgr. Richard Siefer, pastor of St. Catherine Parish in DuBois, to serve as administrator of St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes during this time. After this weekend, the parish council serving St. Michael and St. Joseph will meet with Msgr. Joseph Riccardo, dean of the DuBois Deanery, as well as Msgr. Charles Kaza, vicar for the Eastern Vicariate. At that time, they will develop a Sunday Mass schedule that is effective for both the parishioners and the priests serving in the DuBois area. I expect the new schedule will be in place no later than June 6. Please be assured I am keeping everyone involved in the situation, including all of the faithful of the DuBois area, in my prayers during this time. Sincerely yours in Christ, The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico JCL Bishop of Erie
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