Effective
today, I have withdrawn Father Gary Zalenski, who is currently serving as Pastor
of Sacred Heart Parish in Neffs, Ohio, from active ministry, as the result of a
credible allegation of his having sexually assaulted a minor in 1991. He may not present himself as a priest or
carry out any public function as a priest.
Within a few days he will move from the rectory at Sacred Heart to a
private residence of his own choosing.
The
allegation was brought to the Diocese of Steubenville by a woman who was a young
parishioner at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Lore City, Ohio, where Father
Zalenski was pastor at the time. All
information about the matter obtained by the diocese has been communicated to
the Guernsey County Prosecutor.
The matter
will be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, an office of
the Holy See in Rome, for further action.
This could take some time. In the
meantime, Gary Zalenski will remain a priest of the Diocese of Steubenville, and
the diocese will provide material assistance to him as needed.
This matter
is being handled in full accord with the “Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People”, which was adopted by the Catholic bishops of the United
States in 2002, the “Essential Norms”, which are special laws approved by the
Pope for the United States to deal with child abuse, and the Diocese of
Steubenville’s “Decree on Child Protection”.
As for
Sacred Heart Parish in Neffs, I have appointed Monsignor Gene Mullett as
Temporary Administrator, along with his other duties, and have asked him to
provide special pastoral care to the people in this difficult moment. The long-term future of the parish will be
considered along with all the other parishes in the Presentation Deanery as part
of the ongoing planning process. It is hoped that a plan will be finalized by
next spring.
This is all
very painful. I am angered that a young
member of the Church was apparently violated.
I am embarrassed that the offender was a brother priest. I am troubled that absolute certainty about
the matter is probably beyond my reach, and yet I must act. I grieve that two parishes and two families
are thrown into turmoil.
In such a
situation I look to Jesus on the cross.
He took our sins and our brokenness upon himself and became the source of
our healing.
Any person who has been
sexually assaulted as a minor by a priest or other representative of the Diocese
of Steubenville is encouraged to contact the diocese at 740-282-3631 as well as
any local law enforcement agency.