Scandal! (More of the same)
Wed Nov 30, 2005 17:56 EST (UTC -5)I've reported on an ugly scandal that's rocking my church and the school associated with it. I thought it was pretty much over with until I heard that on Sunday, there were protesters when the Archbishop came to bless the new school buildings.
To most of the people analyzing the situation, the whole thing comes down to this: either Mrs. O'Leary (the former principal) stole money, or Father Gabriel (the pastor) fired her for no reason. My parents are taking Gabriel's side, but I'm not going to take sides. I don't feel sufficiently informed, and I don't like either of them enough to say that he or she "would never do that!"
No -- rather than pointing my finger at either one of them, I point at them both. Because I go to the church and went to the school, both Father Gabriel and Mrs. O'Leary have been responsible for my moral and spiritual development. And now one of them is a big liar and a hypocrite. But, neither of them is producing hard and fast evidence that the other is a crook. Gabriel won't show people the books, and O'Leary won't say anything. So, if neither of them can prove their innocence, then we must conclude that they're both big liars. It's certainly possible. And I want you to think about that. I want everyone who has ever been a part of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church or St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School to think about that. Look at the hypocrites you've been following! You have to do something. What are you going to do?
It bothers me a lot, that all of this is happening. I'm troubled and disturbed by it. But I know how I can ease my mind and resolve the situation with myself. It'll be quite simple and pleasant -- for me, anyway. In fact, I wonder how so few people have thought of it before. But now isn't the time for such things.
On Monday, the Sun-Sentinel published this article entitled "Parish Scrutiny Demanded" (subtitled "Parishioners Want Financial Books Opened"). The version on the web site had a different title, as you will read. But it's informative just the same.
Pompano parishioners protest forced resignation of school principal
By Tonya Alanez
Staff Writer
Posted November 28 2005
Appeared in Monday's paper as "Parish Scrutiny Demanded" subtitled "Parishioners want financial books opened."
Dozens of chanting parishioners turned out at a Pompano Beach church Sunday to tell Catholic Archbishop John C. Favalora that they are unhappy with the actions of their priest.
Troubles have been simmering at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church and School since August, when the school principal of 25 years, Rita O'Leary, resigned amid accusations of financial mismanagement, parents turned protesters said Sunday.
They said the Rev. Gabriel Vigues, who came to the church about three years ago, accused O'Leary of misusing funds and forced her to resign. When the unhappy parents asked to analyze financial records for themselves, they were stonewalled, parents said.
Vigues could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Parishioners chose to stage their protest Sunday because Favalora, of the Archdiocese of Miami, was on hand to bless three new classrooms at the school.
They alternated chants: "Gabriel's gotta go" and "Slander is a sin."
They waved signs: "Seek your power and control elsewhere" and "Show us the books."
"We wanted to see evidence that she had done something wrong," said Scott Hennigar, whose three children, ages 16, 18 and 19, attended the kindergarten through eighth grade at the school. "We think the whole thing was staged. The woman is beyond reproach, and I've never seen such a railroad job in my life."
Vigues contended that O'Leary was keeping a secret bank account, Hennigar said, "like a slush fund."
He said an account for field trips and school activities was set up by priests about 25 years ago without archdiocese knowledge. Monthly bank statements were mailed to the school, he said.
O'Leary was forced to resign to save her reputation and pension, Hennigar said.
O'Leary could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Since Vigues' arrival, he has suspended the school advisory and financial review boards, questionable purchases were made with church funds, and the pastor has replaced longtime teachers and school staff with former colleagues, Hennigar said.
More than 200 families signed a petition asking for "truth and disclosure" and presented it to the archdiocese before Hurricane Wilma, he said.
The archdiocese is well aware of the discontent of the parishioners, said Mary Ross Agosta, communications director for the Archdiocese of Miami.
"This has been going on for four months," she said. "They've had many chances to voice their opinion, and they are unhappy with the decision, but the decision has been made to replace Mrs. O'Leary."
She said an independent financial audit has been completed.
"The results of the audit have been given to the former principal and her attorney to respond to some of the issues in that audit," Agosta said.
And here's a pretty picture:
The Jedermann Project makes average composites of faces. They all look weird.
I guess the idea of Phoneswarm is that they pick a payphone and post the number on the Internet for everyone to call. Neat.
The following bit was inspired by Scotto, although he hasn't been doing it lately. It's a sort of "Today in History" thing regarding old posts. Though he describes his posts from one, two, three, four, and five years ago when he links to them, I figure a quotation from each post should be enough to interest you in clicking. We'll see if it's a good way to promote my large archive of posts (although it pales by comparison to Scotto's, of course). After all, they're there to be enjoyed, and I enjoy them. Without further ado...
One year ago: "He was 26 years old and was planning to propose to his girlfriend."
Two years ago: "But after all, it is Wal-Mart."
. 
3 comments
#1 by kevin: Thu Dec 01, 2005 20:10 EST (UTC -5)
jeez, those stupid mothers really don't have anything else to do but defame the church and the school.
#2 by Mark M: Mon Jan 09, 2006 22:19 EST (UTC -5)
I too went to this school many years ago. I can recall Mrs. Oleary's first year at the school, which to me was 2 second grade. At that time she went by Ms. Napolitano. She was the absolute best!!! To think that she had anything to do with this, is a crime in of itself.
#3 by Connor: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:15 EST (UTC -5)
Wow Cool