Bishop cites sex abuse in removal of Maui priest
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo has permanently removed a Maui priest who is accused of sexually abusing one or more minors.
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The action means the Rev. Joseph Bukoski III will not be allowed to act as a priest in the Honolulu Diocese again, said diocese spokesman Patrick Downes. Downes said the bishop sent Bukoski a letter dated Aug. 1 informing him of his decision, citing canon law that gives the bishop the authority to make such a move in the best interest of the church.
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski III has denied charges of sex abuse.
"This is not a frivolous decision (on) his part," Downes said. "He is acting because of the welfare of the church and the Catholic faith. It's a principled decision, a difficult one. There is no place in the church for a priest who sexually abuses minors."
Bukoski, 49, could not be reached for comment yesterday. But he has denied the charges and, in an interview last week, he was critical of DiLorenzo and accused the bishop of violating his rights.
"The man is a poor example of a person holding the office of bishop," Bukoski said last week.
Bukoski is the first priest in Hawai'i to be removed in the Catholic Church's nationwide sex-abuse scandal.
Details of the alleged misconduct have not been released, and the accuser — now an adult — has not come forward. Shortly after the first allegation was made against Bukoski in May, a second one was lodged against the popular priest.
Downes said the second allegation convinced DiLorenzo to take action. He said the bishop considered it "believable, credible and substantial."
Downes said the bishop was acting independently of an evaluation conducted on Bukoski in Seattle. Those results are not available yet, but they have become moot, Downes said.
He said Bukoski's criticism of the bishop played no role in the move.
Bukoski remains a member of the Sacred Hearts congregation, an international order, but it's doubtful he'll be able to work again as a priest.
DiLorenzo removed Bukoski as pastor of the Maria Lanakila Church in May after he was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor in Honolulu more than 20 years ago. He was placed on administrative leave.
The bishop relied on the expertise of the Diocesan Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct, which interviewed both the accuser and the accused, before recommending that Bukoski be removed from his position and evaluated for treatment.
Throughout the ordeal, Bukoski has maintained the support of his parish. Hundreds of letters were sent to DiLorenzo, along with a petition asking the bishop to reinstate Bukoski.
