Diocesan panel in charge of Hawai'i priest reviews
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer
When the Rev. Joseph Bukoski III was removed from a Lahaina church last week on the basis of allegations of sexual abuse more than 20 years ago, Honolulu Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo relied on the expertise of the Diocesan Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct.
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The eight-member advisory panel that examined the allegations and made a unanimous recommendation to the bishop is composed of three clergymen and five lay people with training in sexual abuse issues, including two psychologists, a social worker and a lawyer.
The Rev. Joseph Bukoski denies allegations of molestation.
"They can spot abuse pretty well," said Patrick Downes, spokesperson for the Diocese of Honolulu. "This is what they do day in and day out. It's part of their profession."
The Rev. Gary Secor, chairman of the Diocesan Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct, didn't offer any details regarding the panel's work with the Bukoski allegations, but he did say generally how the committee does its job.
The committee, which meets when necessary, was formed about 10 years ago to examine accusations of sexual misconduct primarily aimed at the clergy, he said.
In addition to Secor, the priests on the committee are vicars general Thomas Gross and Joseph Grimaldi. Of the lay members, three are women and two are men. One of them is not a member of the Catholic Church.
Before the past few months, when three separate sexual misconduct cases — each one at least 20 years old — were brought to the church's attention, the number of complaints brought to the committee were "fairly rare," Secor said.
When a case is brought forward, Secor said, he advises the victim of his or her legal rights and possible remedies. If the victim is a child, the police are contacted.
A subcommittee of two or three members then interviews the victim and obtains a signed statement, if possible. Then, he said, members interview the accused clergyman and obtain a signed statement, if possible.
If the statements appear to be credible, the case is brought to the whole committee for discussion. No advocates for either side are involved.
"We use the expertise of the committee to try to get to the truth of the matter," he said.
Further investigation by the panel may be necessary, including site visits and additional interviews, he said.
Ultimately, the committee does not decide whether or not an accused is, as a matter of law, guilty of sex abuse.
"The committee makes a recommendation to the bishop in the interest of the general welfare," Downes said.
In the Bukoski case, the committee recommended that the 49-year-old priest from Maria Lanakila Church be placed on administrative leave and that he receive professional evaluation and treatment. DiLorenzo did as recommended.
But Jan Pasamonte, Maria Lanakila's financial officer, said she and many others at the church believe the committee erred in its deliberations.
"It seems like a rash decision," she said. "He has been such a strong influence to everyone here. He's given us his life. We have no doubt in our mind (that he is innocent)."
Parishioner John Brunold said that while he is sad for his pastor, he believes the bishop and the committee are doing their best to deal with a problem that they must face.
"I like Father Joe very much. But he needs to clear his name. He runs a school," Brunold said. "I'm just crossing my fingers that this isn't true."
Secor said he is aware of feelings of hurt and shock at the parish. He said he will attend the 7 p.m. meeting tomorrow at the church to discuss the situation with the parishioners.
"Our purpose is to do whatever we can to continue the healing process," he said.
Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
