As much as I would like to focus only on the pastoral issues of our parish, this time I need to explain some pending issues that touch the entire Diocese of Rockville Centre, hence, all the Catholics on Long Island. I am sure that most of you have already heard from the local news outlets that our diocese is about to strike a deal regarding the pending lawsuits. Please read on the next page the official Statement of the Diocese of Rockville Centre as a result of the Hearing in Bankruptcy Court (dated September 26, 2024).
Also, please read first this statement from our Vicar General:
“In order to compensate survivors and protect the parishes from lawsuits, the Diocese and every parish will be making a contribution to the settlement. The settlement total has been accepted. Therefore, donations to the parish now remain with the parish. Also, to protect the parishes from any past liability, it will be necessary for every parish to enter into an abbreviated Chapter 11. This does not mean that the parish is in jeopardy or closing. Please do not panic if you hear it reported that parishes are "declaring bankruptcy". As always, do not automatically believe everything you hear in the media. The parish Chapter 11's should be completed within 48 hours and will not interfere with our work and ministry. This is being done so that the parishes can obtain releases for their protection from liability going forward. The diocesan and parish plans have not yet been confirmed. However, we want you to be informed so that you are not surprised by anything that might be reported in the press. In the coming weeks, more detailed information will be provided in the bulletin. Please know that we will keep you fully informed as details are confirmed. Our highest goals are to resolve any potential liabilities and to secure our future for our parish.”
What does it mean for us as a parish and all parishes on Long Island? — It means that we will have to contribute to this lawsuit settlement whether we had any pending cases or not. The quote we need to chip in is assessed based on the parish financial assets up to date. I can assure you that our parish of Saint Joseph the Worker has gotten one of the lowest assessments in terms of what we need to pay. I still need to confirm with the diocesan entities the exact number and the date line for the payments. You will be informed accordingly. Meanwhile we continue to pray for the victim survivors of sexual abuse and their families. They certainly deserve real justice, our respect, and our ongoing pastoral support. We also hope that a global resolution will bring some measure of comfort to them and stop an ordeal that we have been under since the lawsuits have been brought to courts.
I understand that many of you may be angry at this situation in our diocese and in the Catholic Church by and large. You may wonder, as I do too, how did we end up in such a mess?! Before you make any hasty judgment, please, pray over it and try to see a bigger picture. I did not grow up in this country, but having read enough about modern history and speaking with many people I know that the decades after World War II, particularly the 60s and the 70s, were quite permissive in many ways in America and other Western countries. The so-called sexual revolution was taken to the extreme in pop-culture. The traditional values of God, country, and family had been put aside and many people started living their lives with this “free” spirit while getting more and more entangled in the life of licentiousness, which quickly led to wide spread consequences of divorce, single parenting, abortion, and general promiscuity — all in the name of “free love” and self-realization.
Unfortunately, the same spirit of licentiousness has also creeped into the Catholic Church, especially after the Second Vatican Council. Since then, many priests, religious, and lay people associated with the Church have become spiritually inflicted too. Despite their previous traditions and religious upgrading many embraced a mindset that was prevailing in the pop-culture. Now, many years have passed and we all suffer the consequences. Please, do not get me wrong, I am not trying to justify any particular evil act, but rather to show you that the Church is like a family that suffers the consequences of one son or daughter that did something terribly wrong. The healing of family requires a cooperation of all its members.
I thank you all for your prayers and continuing support. God bless you and your families.
Fr. Janusz Mocarski, Pastor