The Rev. Joseph Bukoski denies allegations of molestation. Advertiser library photo

The news that Rev. Joseph Bukoski III was removed last week after allegations were made that he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor also appears to be generating a wave of support for the 49-year-old Kaua'i-born priest.

Bukoski was removed as pastor of Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina based on allegations from his alleged victim. The alleged misconduct occurred 20 years ago in Honolulu but only surfaced when the complainant came forward in April. Bukoski has denied the allegations.

In removing Bukoski from his parish, the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu stressed that his guilt or innocence had not been determined. Bill Powell, a long time volunteer with Catholic Charities, said that will have a chilling effect.

"Right now in the public's eyes, he has done it," he said. "I think that's unfair."

Some parishioners may feel they have "bared their souls" to a criminal, he said. And it won't just be the congregation of Maria Lanakila that feels that way.

"It will give parishioners second thoughts on putting their trust into the next priest who comes along," Powell said. "It makes us all nervous. It makes the church nervous. If you can't trust a priest, who can you trust?"

Tom Dinell said that many of Hawai'i's 215,000 Catholics have closely followed a series of sexual abuse scandals across the Mainland, and he considers them well informed on the topic.

"But with respect to the current situation, there just simply isn't enough information to make an informed judgment about what kind of reaction there will be," Dinell said. "It's easy to make accusations. I don't know if they have any validity whatsoever."

Dinell knows Bukoski.

"I like Joe very much," he said. "I hope this is baseless."

Brandt Farias said it was right for the church to take swift action. He doesn't think it will leave Catholics unsettled for very long.

"I would say it's a speed bump in the journey of life," Farias said. "Concern is a natural reaction. But I believe it does not challenge the solid foundation of faith that the Catholic church has established in Hawai'i."

Bukoski is a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a religious order. He is staying at the order's residence in Kane'ohe under the supervision of the Very Rev. Clyde Guerreiro, provincial for the order and a close friend of the priest.

Catholics shocked

Guerreiro said that there is "shock and disappointment" among Catholics here and that it will have some kind of effect on parishioners across the state.

"I think for those who are involved in the church, I think there would be doubt about the validity of the charges," he said. "And I am sure their desire is that the charges are false."

Guerreiro said he has not reached any conclusions about Bukoski's guilt or innocence, choosing to wait for the results of an evaluation by Mainland psychiatrists and psychologists who will interview the priest.

Bukoski has declined to discuss the allegations publicly.

"I did see him briefly this morning," Guerreiro said. "He looked pretty good. He kind of chuckled at me because I don't look all that good."

Effects long-lasting

David Coleman, religious studies instructor at Chaminade University, a Catholic institution, said the revelations of sexual abuse likely will have a long-lasting effect on the church, focusing attention on institutional policies involving the clergy and the role of lay members.

"This is certainly a very difficult time for rebuilding trust for the whole church and the American church, in particular, because people hadn't paid close attention to how these things should be handled and now it's coming back to roost," said Coleman, who is Catholic.

Still, the fact that attendance at Mass remains strong is an indication of Catholics' continued faith in their church, he said. "Generally, most Catholics are on the side of saying, 'How do we rebuild this and make it work?' instead of 'How do we run from this?' "

Fallibility recognized

The chairman of the Department of Religion at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa said the crisis will force Catholics to make a clearer distinction between their church and its all-too-human leaders who have proven they are not infallible.

"This need not be a crippling blow. Recognizing (the clergy's) fallibility does not in any way diminish their faith in the mother church per se," Cromwell Crawford said. "It might even have a positive effect of falling back upon the faith of the church instead of identifying the church with the clergy."

Buskoski's parishioners appear to be solidly behind him.

Parishioner Bob Derks said Bukoski still enjoys "tremendous" support at Maria Lanakila and the Sacred Hearts Mission. When parishioners heard the news at the mission, where Derks attends Mass, they began to cry, he said.

He said "a priest is being destroyed."

"We assume that everybody has their civil rights but it doesn't appear that a parish priest has them," Derks said. "And that is very troublesome to me."

'Hearts go out to Father Joe'

Joe Gallagher, chairman for the advisory council for the church's school in Lahaina, said he was dismayed by the accusations and Buksoki's removal.

"He has been a total inspiration to our family and the entire parish community," Gallagher said. "Our hearts go out to Father Joe, his mother and family who, like his entire church community are devastated by this unsubstantiated attack on Father Joe's reputation and good name."

Jim Fulton, spokesman for the Honolulu prosecutor's office, said no complaint has been filed regarding Bukoski, and Honolulu police today said there are no pending complaints against any clergy on the island.

In Hawai'i, a criminal case must be filed within three to six years after the victim's 18th birthday, depending on the nature of the alleged offense. Although there are exceptions, state law requires most civil lawsuits to be filed within two years of reaching 18 years of age.