Maui church rallies behind pastor
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
LAHAINA, Maui — Parishioners at Lahaina's Maria Lanakila Church expressed anger and sadness yesterday over news that their pastor has been permanently removed from his position by Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo.
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"I can only pray that God and the Holy Spirit touches the cold heart of this bishop," said Jan Pasamonte, the church's financial officer.
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski III has appealed his case to Rome.
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski III, placed on administrative leave in May following an accusation of misconduct with a minor more than 20 years ago, was informed of his permanent removal in an Aug. 1 letter from DiLorenzo.
The bishop said a second allegation that emerged shortly after the first one persuaded him to make the move official, effectively ending Bukoski's career as a priest in Hawai'i unless his appeal to Rome results in a reversal.
Over the past few months, parishioners have rallied around their pastor, sending more than 460 letters to the bishop and collecting more than 1,000 signatures on a petition.
Yesterday, they continued to stand by the Kaua'i-born priest who led Maria Lanakila for four years.
Pasamonte said parishioners are upset they learned about Bukoski's permanent removal from media reports. They're also disappointed that DiLorenzo didn't wait for the results of the psychological evaluation he ordered following the first allegation.
"Our bishop has absolutely no regard for the feelings of the people of Lahaina,'' Pasamonte said. "For some reason he finds it necessary to prove a point — only God knows what it is — at the cost of another human being, a decent man and a good priest.''
On Saturday, the pastoral council of Maria Lanakila and Sacred Hearts Mission Church issued a statement in the church bulletin supporting Bukoski "unconditionally, 100 percent'' and condemning "the manner in which the current situation is being handled . . . ''
Bukoski could not be reached for comment yesterday, but last week he said he was being treated unfairly and denied his due rights.
Parishioner John Pope said it appears Bukoski is being punished for going over the bishop's head and appealing to the Vatican.
"It's especially a shame that the young people of the parish have been subjected to such an impersonal and unprofessional circumstance. They just don't understand. They don't feel he got a fair shake,'' said Pope, whose son is an altar boy.
Parishioner Joanne Craig said the whole affair has left her sad and disappointed.
"I think it's a horrible crime that something that happened so long ago is being brought up now. What good is it going to do? We all like him. We thought he was a great minister and priest. I'm sorry to see him go.''
