Posted on: Tuesday, May 21, 2002
Maui parishioners express shock at allegations
| • | Claims of abuse trouble local Catholics |
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
LAHAINA, Maui — When Joe Craig showed up for Mass at Maria Lanakila Church yesterday, a friend asked him who he thought would be leading the service.
"I said, 'I hope it's Father Joe,''' he said.
Craig hadn't heard. The Rev. Joseph Bukoski III was removed as pastor of the Lahaina parish May 14 after the Diocese of Honolulu received allegations he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor more than 20 years ago.
"I was in shock. I couldn't believe it,'' said Craig, a retiree who lives in Ka'anapali.
The reaction was the same for many on Maui, where the Kaua'i-born Bukoski arrived four years ago with impressive credentials: the former elected head of Hawai'i's Sacred Hearts order, the one-time judicial vicar of the Honolulu Diocese and a man knighted by the king of Belgium for his work overseeing the ceremonies marking the beatification of Father Damien.
Parishioners were among the first to hear the news announced in church Saturday and Sunday.
"It was sort of very emotional because everyone has a great love for Father Joe," said the Rev. William Petrie, acting parish priest at the church. "As people were greeted after Mass you get the reaction and it was one of complete support for Father Joe. And there were sentiments of hope that he will return."
Bukoski, who has denied the allegations, was placed under supervision at Sacred Heart's Kane'ohe living quarters and offices. The decision by Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo to remove him was a shock to Bukoski, said the Very Rev. Clyde Guerreiro, provincial of the Sacred Hearts order in Hawai'i.
"I don't think he knew it was coming,'' Guerreiro said. "He knew that an allegation had been made. ... he was in shock when I told him this.''
Bukoski, a 1974 graduate of Chaminade University, was ordained at St. Patrick's Church in Kaimuki, where he served as associate pastor from 1979 to 1985. He left St. Patrick's to become superior of Sacred Hearts Center in Kane'ohe and later worked in the diocese canon law office. After obtaining a license to practice church law, he was named the judicial vicar of the Honolulu Diocese.
In 1990, he was elected provincial head of the Order of Sacred Hearts, serving two three-year terms. As head of the Sacred Hearts Order in Hawai'i, Bukoski oversaw the local beatification ceremonies of Father Damien and led a Hawai'i delegation to the festivities in Belgium. The king of Belgium later knighted him for his work on behalf of the Belgian native who helped Hansen's disease patients on Moloka'i more than 100 years ago.
In 1998, Bukoski was given his first pastoralship at Maria Lanakila, which also operates Sacred Hearts School and a mission in Kapalua.
A meeting to discuss the matter with parishioners will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Maria Lanakila Church.
