Maui priest in sex scandal says rights being denied
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski III, accused this week by a second person who alleges being sexually abused as a minor, spoke out for the first time yesterday, saying he has been treated unfairly by a bishop who has ignored church law and denied him his due rights.
"My name has been massacred and not represented in any Christian way," said Bukoski, who was removed as pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, by Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski says that his due rights are being denied.
Bukoski said that even though he filed an appeal of his case to Rome early last month, DiLorenzo chose to ignore that process and go public with an allegation that has not received a full hearing under the diocese policy.
Bukoski, the diocese's former judicial vicar who advised the bishop on church law for a number of years, said the policy requires that an allegation be accompanied by signed statements from both sides. He said he has yet to sign a statement regarding the second allegation, nor has he been contacted for a statement or allowed to present a defense before the diocese's Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct.
In response, Patrick Downes, diocese spokesman, said DiLorenzo broke no church laws. He said the bishop is allowed to act in the best way that he sees fit for the diocese.
The bishop considered advice from the Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct and decided that the second allegation is believable and credible, Downes said.
"He had to act on it," he said.
No details about the alleged misconduct have been released in either case. Any decision regarding Bukoski's return to active ministry has been delayed indefinitely, DiLorenzo said this week.
The second allegation was made against Bukoski shortly after the initial allegations in May. According to the diocese, the behavior allegedly occurred while Bukoski was a member of the Sacred Hearts Community preparing for ordination to the priesthood.
Bukoski, 49, yesterday declined to comment on the second allegation, except to say that it allegedly occurred 27 years ago, before he was a priest or employed by the Honolulu Diocese. That violates the statutes of limitation of church law, he said, which means it is outside the scope of the bishop's jurisdiction.
He has denied the initial allegation of misconduct.
The Diocesan Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct is reviewing both allegations, and church officials are still awaiting the results of a psychological evaluation of Bukoski administered June 12 by Therapy and Renewal Associates in Seattle.
The report will include the results of various tests, including a polygraph exam.
Bukoski said that while DiLorenzo was telling the public that he had been placed on administrative leave, he had already been removed as pastor of Maria Lanakila Church, effective June 10.
He said he received a certified letter to that fact even before he returned from his evaluation in Seattle.
Bukoski said he has remained silent in the face of "prejudicial and unfair demands" because his appeal to Rome is pending. He said he believes DiLorenzo was upset and unnerved by his appeal and that's why he went public with the second allegation. He called DiLorenzo "a pathological bully."
"This man is a poor example of a person holding the office of bishop," he said. "What the bishop preaches is not what he practices. There is no forgiveness or mercy, which is what Jesus taught."
Bukoski, born on Kaua'i and ordained in 1979, said he is tired and distressed about his plight and by the harm caused to his widowed mother and the entire Bukoski family.
After the first allegations were made public, Maria Lanakila parishioners rallied for their pastor by circulating petitions, writing letters, wearing buttons, making signs and holding vigils.
Jan Pasamonte, Maria Lanakila accountant, said she's fearful that her support for the priest will jeopardize her job at the church.
Downes said he didn't believe any employees have to worry about their jobs. As for the allegation that DiLorenzo is a bully, he said, "I don't see where that's coming from."
Bukoski said he wants to thank "his beloved people of Lahaina, as well as those from all of the Islands for their overwhelming care, love and support" of him and his family.
Reach Timothy Hurley at (808) 244-4880 or at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com.
