Parishioners question investigation of priest

YAKIMA – A group of about 30 church members from at least six parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Yakima has raised concerns about how the church handled an investigation of a Yakima priest.

The investigation began in September 2003 after photographs of nude boys were discovered on a computer belonging to the priest. The matter was immediately referred to the Diocesan Lay Advisory Board, which investigates allegations of sexual misconduct.

Board Chairman Russell Mazzola, a lawyer, delivered the photographs to police the day he received them. The FBI investigated but declined to file charges, and the matter was referred to the Yakima County prosecutor’s office last September.

About three weeks ago, County Prosecutor Ron Zirkle also decided against filing charges, saying the case did not meet federal or state statutes for children in sexually explicit conduct.

Through it all, church officials did not release any specifics on the investigation, and some church members now say the matter may not have been handled appropriately.

“We were left out in the dark,” said Dan Thibault, who was serving as pastoral council chairman in the Toppenish parish when rumors started swirling about a cleric investigation. “We heard there was a priest who was having problems, but no one knew where he was.”

About one week after the photographs were discovered, the unidentified priest was sent to a mental health facility for an evaluation. The priest later returned and was assigned to a parish where there were several other priests.

According to Mazzola, the parish was chosen because the priest could be closely monitored while the diocese waited to see if criminal charges would be filed.

Yakima diocese policy calls for a person accused of violating a sexual misconduct policy to be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a more complete investigation.

But when the priest returned to the Yakima diocese last spring – before the FBI investigation had concluded – he said Mass and performed other pastoral duties, the newspaper said.

“My sadness is that the policy wasn’t strictly followed,” said Colleen Kaluzny, a mother of six and longtime member of the parish to which he was sent.

That parish includes a school – a factor that also concerned some parishioners when they learned of the investigation.

Mazzola agreed that all allegations of abuse must be investigated, but he also said the lay committee must balance risk and the priest’s reputation.