(use link above to see videos and conclusion of article)  

September 27, 2007

Accused priest chided for saying Mass

Dave Wedge, Boston Herald

An alleged pedophile priest whose molestation trial has been repeatedly delayed due to questions over his competency has overseen religious services in apparent violation of church orders and was warned by a Catholic bishop, the Herald has learned.

Church officials in Springfield were told in early September that John Szantyr has conducted Mass, despite being stripped of his authority to act as a priest in 1988. The apparent violation of church orders prompted Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell to fire off a stern warning to the embattled holy man, said Terence Hegarty, spokesman for the Springfield diocese.

“We did receive conclusive proof that contrary to the instructions from the Diocese of Worcester, he had celebrated Mass in a private home in Springfield,” Hegarty said. “The bishop informed him that he remains absolutely forbidden to celebrate Mass anywhere, privately or publicly, or to administer any sacramental functions at all.”

Szantyr, 76, is awaiting trial in Worcester on charges he molested a boy in the mid-1980s, but the trial has been repeatedly delayed due to a debate over his competency.

Asked about the Springfield diocese’s actions, Szantyr’s lawyer, Ed Ryan, said: “I certainly don’t think he’s been conducting any Masses in Massachusetts. I would be suspect of any ‘conclusive proof.’ ”

A Worcester judge deemed Szantyr incompetent to stand trial based on evaluations done by two doctors hired by the Worcester District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s office is challenging the ruling and says a new evaluation has found Szantyr competent. A new competency hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.

The victim and his supporters have questioned Szantyr’s incompetency, claiming he has performed religious services, has a valid Connecticut driver’s license and has been spotted walking normally after appearing in court in a wheelchair.

Ryan called the issues “irrelevant,” saying, “In my judgment, he is incompetent to stand trial. He’s not capable of assisting in his defense.”

But Vic Valois, a congregant of Springfield’s Seeds of Hope chapel, said he’s known Szantyr since 1994 and has seen him dressed as a priest “hundreds of times.”

“I always thought he was a priest in good standing,” said Valois, who has complained about Szantyr to church authorities and state police. “I’ve seen him give Masses. I’ve been to confession with him. He blessed my home.”

Seeds of Hope officials did not return calls.

September 26, 2007

Alleged perv priest stalls trial
 

The case against an accused pedophile priest has been delayed for a whopping 34th time as his lawyer contests a new doctor’s opinion that the embattled holy man is fit to stand trial.

John Szantyr, who’s accused of molesting a Worcester altar boy in the mid-1980s, once again did not appear in Worcester District Court yesterday when a judge continued his case again. Szantyr, 76, has been ruled incompetent but prosecutors pushed for a new evaluation based on complaints from the victim and the victim’s supporters.

The new opinion, which is being reviewed by a judge and will be the subject of a Nov. 19 hearing, reportedly contradicts a defense report that says Szantyr is too ill to face the charges.

“The defense and the DA have their own experts determine whether he’s competent to stand trial. Our report found that he was,” said Tim Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. (Defense Attorney Ryan  informed Judge David Ricciardone, that in fact it was ADA Reilly who chose Doctor William Murphy from CT, a neurologist for a mental evaluation.  Attorney Ryan stated “I never exercised my right to cross examine Dr Murphy”. Tim Connolly provided false information to reporter Dave Wedge)

Szantyr’s attorney, Ed Ryan, who has maintained that his client is too sick to go on trial, wants the new report tossed out, arguing that prosecutors failed to challenge the initial competency ruling.

The latest continuance has victims’ advocates fuming.

“I’m very frustrated and the victims are frustrated. We expected more,” said Mary Jean, spokeswoman for Worcester Voice, a clergy sex abuse support group.

Worcester Voice and the victim have challenged Szantyr’s incompetency, arguing that he has a valid Connecticut driver’s license, has been spotted walking normally after appearing in court in a wheelchair, and has continued to oversee religious services.

September 25, 2007

Worcester ADA Joseph Reilly III unprepared and fails alleged victims in clergy sexual abuse case regarding John J. Szantyr, case now on thirty fifth continuance.

In Courtroom 23, of the new Worcester Courthouse, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Reilly III failed to act professionally and within the best interest of the alleged victims. He was once again unprepared for a motion filed by defense Attorney Edward Ryan for John J. Szantyr who again was not required to attend the court hearing.

Attorney Ryan requested within his motion 1.) all correspondence between ADA Reilly and Dr Malcolm Rogers.  2.) Hand written notes, and or drafts by Dr Rogers. 3.) Tape recorded statements, drawings or written statements produced by John J. Szantyr.  4.) Mini mental status exam description of said exam regarding periodicals or other reference material used generates findings. 5.) As well as a list of all cases Dr Rogers has testified to and his background.

ADA Reilly objected to all parts of the motion except for the third, which was tape recorded statements, drawings or written statements produced by John J. Szantyr during the mental examinations.

Defense Attorney Ryan also informed Judge David Ricciardone, that in fact it was ADA Reilly who chose Doctor John M. Murphy MD from CT, a neurologist for a mental evaluation.  Attorney Ryan stated “I never exercised my right to cross examine Dr Murphy”. Judge Dennis J. Brennan in issuing his ruling on September 13, 2006 which stated the Commonwealth agreed that the defendant, John J. Szantyr is now not competent to stand trial. 

The average reasonable person can comprehend that something is awry when looking at the factual documentation such as: John Szantyr has since his criminal arraignment in 2003 been performing Eucharistic ceremonies and sacraments, videos of such which have been published. John Szantyr renewed his driver’s license on March 17, 2007; this was filed with the court in an Amicus Brief.  A private investigator’s report dated April 27, 2007 further supported the fact John Szantyr was mentally capable and physically functioning. 

Also known Worcester ADA Reilly failed to ascertain photos of John Szantyr walking and talking within one hour of the September 12, 2006 competency hearing when he was contacted.  ADA Reilly also did not initiate contact with the two Connecticut residences that came forward on November 3, 2006 to expose the fact that in November of 2006 Szantyr was active in a church prayer group at a home in Wolcott, CT. 

ADA Reilly acted dumb like a fox which gave the perception to all, who once again attended, the appearance that due process was staged.  Justice was not the quest of ADA Reilly’s actions.  Justice delayed does not equal justice served.  ADA Reilly shirked his responsibility thus resulting in obtaining another quick court date leaving the alleged victims to anguish further.

There can be no more amount of evidence that could be provided to the District Attorney office to prove John J Szantyr is competent. This failure to move forward can only be viewed as a gross aberration for practicing justice.

The people of Worcester County deserve better than what served them today.  Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. gave his word he would see this case was expedited. In fact nothing could be further from the truth in regards to actions conducted by the District Attorney’s Office. 

September 25, 2007

Competency hearing slated for accused priest

By Gary V. Murray, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF gmurray@telegram.com

WORCESTER— A judge will be asked to decide whether a 76-year-old retired priest accused of sexually assaulting two altar boys more than 20 years ago is mentally competent to stand trial.

A Nov. 19 competency hearing has been scheduled in Central District Court in the case of the Rev. John Szantyr of Waterbury, Conn., who is charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.

The sexual assaults on the two boys allegedly occurred in the 1980s, when Rev. Szantyr was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish on Ward Street. The charges were lodged against him in 2003.

Judge Dennis J. Brennan, since retired, found Rev. Szantyr mentally incompetent to stand trial in September 2006.

The judge’s finding was based on a psychiatric evaluation undertaken at the request of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III, who is prosecuting the case.

Rev. Szantyr is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, according to his lawyer, Edward P. Ryan Jr.

A second mental health evaluation of the retired Catholic priest has since been conducted at the prosecution’s request, Mr. Reilly told Judge David Ricciardone today. The results of both evaluations are expected to be entered into evidence at the Nov. 19 hearing.

Voice note: Worcester Telegram reporter, Gary Murray was not present in courtroom 23 for this hearing.  Judge David Ricciardone had the two case files in his office as of 3:30pm. This account had to be given directly to Mr. Murray by the Worcester Da's office. As we know Mr. Tim Connolly spokesperson for the DA Early Office was a former Telegram reporter.  Dr William Murphy who conducted the 2006 evaluation is a neurologist thus was not qualified to perform a psychiatric assessment. 

September 20, 2007

Videos and photos of Fr John (Szantyr) and Neil Harrington's alleged weeping statue released.

Videos of Fr John (Szantyr) celebrating Mass under the guise of the Seeds of Hope ministry display an individual who appears to be in good health. The second video piques questions as to the authenticity of the alleged Blessed Virgin Mary weeping statue.

The first video, Fr John (Szantyr) begins the celebration of a Mass in his black priestly clerics. After performing a blessing he then requests his chasuble which is decorated front and back with the resemblance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The woman all wore mantilla, a head covering worn out of respect for our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence. This tradition dates back to the founding of the Catholic Church. The faithful in attendance are of the traditional theological persuasion. Prior to the celebration of the Eucharist, Fr John heard the confessions of minors and young adults in an upstairs isolated bedroom.

more

September 15, 2007

Seeds of Hope Inc not in good standing with the State of Massachusetts.

John J. Szantyr’s organization in which he is currently the spiritual director has not filed a tax return with the state of Massachusetts since 2002.

According to the Office of Secretary of State, William Galvin, the Seeds of Hope is not a Corporation in good standing with the State of Massachusetts.

The Seeds of Hope have been producing religious books, while claiming they are a nonprofit.  Within the Seeds of Hope filing with the State of Massachusetts they are not listed as a religious organization.  The State of Massachusetts has them recorded as a partnership.

The Seeds of Hope Inc. filing date of organization which included eleven pages is recorded as March 20, 1996. Sidney P. Harvey of Agawam, Massachusetts is listed as President.

According to an April 27, 2006 newspaper article from The Courier, Houma Louisiana, Neil Harrington Jr., self proclaimed visionary testified to mysterious male voice from above, one that he now attributes to St Francis. Those experiences according to published reports formed the basis for what is now his ministry, the Seeds of Hope.

"A Man came and Sat with Me" published by the Seeds Of Hope in 2000 claims all messages from our Blessed Mother and stories from Saint Francis of Assisi are distributed thought the Seeds of Hope free of charge, as they have been freely given thought private revelation to Neil Harrington Jr. For those who wish to help us to continue to publish these messages. Donation are greatly appreciated, tax-deductible and are used to assist those in need both spiritually and physically, as well as to print these booklets.

Within the Official Diocesan Newspaper for Las Vegas called the Desert Clarion the April, 2007 edition, an advertisement can be located in which a book called the "Ten Commandments" is offered. This book is endorsed by Fr. Gerald C. Hayes who in 2005 at the time of the publishing was assigned to St Anthony’s Padua Parish in Houma Louisiana. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux now lists Fr. Gerald C. Hayes in their official diocesan registry as being retired. Request to obtain the book must be sent to the Seeds Of Hope, Ludlow Massachusetts.

more

September 10, 2007

John Szantyr has already been identified in 2006 as participating in a prayer group in Wolcott Ct. This prayer group centered on locutions which is hearing audibly voices of a spiritual nature. In this Connecticut group Fr John (Szantyr) was regularly seen in layman’s clothing.   

New information has now identified Fr John (Szantyr), as he likes to be called performing Eucharistic celebrations, confessions and blessings all while dressed as a catholic priest, in the Springfield Massachusetts home of Neil Harrington Jr.  

Fr John Szantyr had his faculties to act as a Catholic Priest removed in January, 1988 after sexual abuse allegations were brought to the attention of the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts. Under church rules he is not allowed to celebrate Mass, hear confessions nor wear priestly garb. 

It all began when Fr John (Szantyr) gave a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Neil Harrington Jr. as a gift early 1990's. The statue was placed in Neil’s father‘s home on Maple Road, Enfield Ct.  

The statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary allegedly began to shed tears in a second floor "apparition room" within his home according to Neil Harrington Sr.

Neil Harrington Jr. claims he began having apparitions of the Virgin Mary during the rosary at the weekly prayer cenacle at his parents' house. In 1994 Neil Jr. claims that the Virgin Mary herself chose Fr John (Szantyr) to be his spiritual director. Since that day Fr John (Szantyr) has been the only spiritual director that Neil has had.

Neil Harrington Jr.

According to a September 2, 1995, Hartford Courant article, when the Archdiocese of Hartford, set up a fact-finding commission to study the Harrington prayer group. Visionary Harrington suddenly received a message from the mother of Jesus; she would no longer be visiting him.

After the fact finding commission in Hartford began commission member Fr. Vittorio Guerrera informed Neil Jr. to not disseminate anything about his alleged apparitions and messages until further notice and this ban has never been lifted. Despite this directive Neil Jr. has chosen to continue to speak in churches and disseminate messages in booklet form and now has a mailing list of over 2,000 people.

After Fr. Guerrera's directive, Neil Jr. moved the weekly prayer group sessions for the Seeds of Hope to 33 Garland St. in Springfield Massachusetts. This home was purchased in 1998 by Neil Jr. and his wife Linda. 

more

August 23, 2007

A holy hold-up

By Scott Zoback, Worcester Magazine

The alleged sex-abuse victims of retired Worcester priest John Szantyr are going to have to wait even longer to find out if there is a chance for justice.

It's something they're almost getting used to — the next time a court convenes on the case, it will be the 34th court date for the criminal cases that have wound their way through the court system since Szantyr's initial arraignment on charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in July, 2003.

On Monday, another continuance was granted when the Worcester County District Attorney's Office couldn't find the Szantyr psychiatric evaluation that had been supposedly overnighted to the courthouse by the doctor who performed it on Thursday, Aug. 17. A new status hearing is now scheduled for Sept. 25.

The Szantyr case includes multiple criminal and civil charges from several alleged victims. One alleged victim, Mike Chesnis, has publicly claimed that Szantyr molested him in the mid-1980s during Szantyr's time at Our Lady of Czestochowa. Another pending case dates to the same era.

But despite the longstanding charges, the case has been bogged down by questions of Szantyr's physical condition and mental competency. As we reported two months ago (WM, City Desk / "A question of competence," June 21), a 2005 letter from Szantyr's primary physician to the court stated that he (Szantyr) "is unable to understand that he is scheduled to begin his trial next week ... due to his deteriorating physical condition and his emotional and mental condition." The letter also cited rapidly advancing Parkinson's disease and strokes. A September 2006 psychiatric evaluation conducted under the authority of Worcester ADA Joseph Reilly III echoed those claims, finding Szantyr mentally incompetent to stand trial.

There's a big catch, though: A large number of people believe Szantyr is playing dumb, and is fully capable of standing trial, hence the new psychiatric evaluation that was supposed to be presented this week. "He can't stand trial, and we're seeking another opinion on that," Worcester DA spokesman Tim Connolly told us in June. The unspoken subtext was that they felt a second evaluation would be more reliable.

In that June article, we reported that documents showed that Szantyr applied for and received a Connecticut driver's license on March 15, 2007 — six months after he was deemed incompetent. Then there were the photos on Worcestervoice.com, an advocacy site for priest abuse scandal victims, that appeared to show Szantyr at a Massachusetts Turnpike stop in Sturbridge hours after that September 2006 hearing; there was also the May 3, 2007, article in The Boston Herald that claimed a private investigator "spotted the priest twice last week walking without any help, driving on his own to and from church and smoking and yakking on a cell phone."

This week, with assurances from the DA's office that the case would move forward, a dozen victims, family members and local supporters were joined in court by other supporters from New York and Connecticut. Mary Jean, proprietor of Worcestervoice.com and a de facto organizer of the group, says, "They all came on the DA's word he was going to expedite it."

But, says Jean, DA Joseph Early Jr. admitted no one had actually checked for the evaluation before the hearing.

"There's just no excuse," says Jean. "This is not expediting a case."

Early says that the file was eventually found on Tuesday morning, and that the "Assistant District Attorney on the case is going to call the defense attorney and ask if we can bring it forward."

Early says that he has told his staff to push the case forward as quickly as possible to "give this some closure for the victims."

"There was nothing I could do about it before, there is now," he says.

August 22, 2007

Priest trial delayed for 33rd time

By Dave Wedge, Boston Herald Chief Enterprise Reporter

A Worcester victims rights group is fuming after the case against an alleged pedophile priest deemed incompetent to stand trial was continued for a 33rd time.

The molestation case against the Rev. John Szantyr has dragged on in Worcester District Court for four years and was again continued Monday because prosecutors didn’t receive a doctor’s report in time for the hearing.

Szantyr, who faces charges he molested an altar boy in Worcester in the mid-1980s, has already been ruled incompetent by a judge, but District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.’s office called for a new evaluation “due to information that was brought to our attention.”

Among the new information are reports that Szantyr, 76, was seen walking at a rest stop just minutes after he appeared in court in a wheelchair and that he has continued to oversee religious services in Connecticut. Szantyr, who reportedly is too ill to feed, clothe and bathe himself, also recently renewed his Connecticut driver’s license, court filings show.

 “We need to see that justice is served,” said Mary T. Jean, spokeswoman for the clergy abuse support group Worcester Voice, which has criticized prosecutors’ handling of the case.

Early said a paperwork snafu led to the latest continuance but that the report was located yesterday. The district attorney is seeking to hold a hearing before the Sept. 25 date set by Judge David Ricciardione.

 “I’m doing everything I can to expedite the case,” Early said. “We want to see closure.”

Szantyr’s attorney, Ed Ryan, said his client renewed his license “for identification purposes” and denied that his client drives.

“He’s been declared incompetent. He’s not getting better,” Ryan said. “Frankly, this case should have already been dismissed.”

Jean has also criticized court officials for not requiring Szantyr to show up at court hearings. Trial Court spokeswoman Joan Kenney said Ricciardione excused the priest from the next court hearing in accordance with rules that don’t require defendants at non-evidentiary proceedings.

August 20, 2007

Another continuance, Doctor blamed for failure.

Worcester District Attorney, Joseph D. Early, claimed today he ”took the psychiatrist at his word that the report of his evaluation of John J. Szantyr would be overnighted to the Worcester Courthouse on Thursday, August 17, 2007”.

The document today, during the 33^rd continuance, could not be located in the building causing the need for another status hearing to be scheduled.  Worcester District Attorney Early admitted no one from his office checked to make sure the document had arrived on Friday, nor checked today previous to the hearing.

Defense Attorney Edward Ryan approached Worcester TV Channel 3’s correspondence, Jennifer Eagan, and informed her she could not photograph his client John Szantyr in open court.

When called to present his case, Defense Attorney Ryan objected to the presence of the camera in the courtroom.  When Ms Eagan identified herself as Worcester TV Channel 3 to the court, Judge Ricciardone ruled the camera could stay because of public interest in this case.  

Defense Attorney Ryan then objected again claiming matters of confidentiality were going to be disclosed. Judge Ricciardone informed both parties to inform him before private information was to be disclosed, and he would rule on each matter.

Defense Attorney Ryan withdrew his objection stating he was misinformed as to who was recording the proceeding.

After the court determined that the doctor’s report, which was assigned on April 27, 2007, was not physically in the building nor could be located, ADA Joseph Reilly III, requested John Szantyr to be present in the courthouse, for the September 25th status hearing.  Defense Attorney Edward Ryan, of Fitchburg, boldly objected, telling Judge, David Ricciardone, that his client was incompetent and infirmed by court ruling, elderly and frail.  He further claimed John Szantyr had been stalked, and surrounded by people harassing him outside the courthouse. Judge Ricciardone responded he could certainly ensure his security in the courthouse.

No evidence as to any harassment of John Szantyr has ever been presented to the court in any of the thirty three continuances.  

Judge Ricciardone then said as it was only a status hearing, John Szantyr has a right to attend, however, he can waive his right to attend because no evidentiary material will be presented.  

The status hearing has been scheduled for September 25, 2007, in room 23, of the newly built Worcester Courthouse.

Michael Hodgkins, who was present in the courtroom, was willing to testify regarding the rest stop photos which clearly revealed that John Szantyr was able to walk, eat, and carry on a civil conversation with the young man who had pushed his wheelchair into court earlier that day.

Both criminal complainants were critical of ADA Joseph Reilly’s lack of moving this case forward more expeditiously. Thirteen people showed up in court today in support of those who have been re-victimized by the legal maneuvering of Defense Attorney Edward Ryan.

This case has been in the Worcester criminal court system for four years.

All those who attended the court hearing were extremely disappointed in the proceedings and the outcome. Many believed there was gross negligence on the part of the District Attorney’s Office resulting in yet another continuance.

August 20, 2007

Szantyr hearing today.

In Worcester District Court today, two alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse will endure their thirty third court date.

Fr John J Szantyr was arraigned on July 31, 2003 in the first case charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The second arraignment involving one charge of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 occurred November 10, 2003.

For four years they have suffered continuance after continuance all in an effort to seek justice.

Neither alleged victim was ever contacted by the Diocese of Worcester. Yet, the young males served as alter boys from Our Lady of Czestochowa parish, in Worcester.

Other alleged victims have traveled from New York, and Connecticut only to sit in the courtroom time and time again.

Today once again they have travel to show support for the two criminal complainants and to see that justice is served.

They will not allow a legal system they feel has failed them to wear them down.

On Friday, August 17, 2007 an Amicus Curiae Brief was filed in Worcester District Court informing the court of all the known information that has been been uncovered by those who also allege sexual abuse but due to the statue of limitations, can seek a criminal complaint, lawyers, and advocates.

All in the hope, that if the Court is informed of all known facts, this case will at long last move forward to trial, and justice can finally served.

August 10, 2007

Szantyr victim seeks help from dioceses.

A letter seeking assistance concerning Fr John Szantyr who the diocese of Hartford CT reports as not in good standing goes unanswered.

In May, 2007 after being told of a conversation that occurred with Michael Hodgkins who alleges sexual abuse by Fr John Szantyr concerning an unsolicited phone call he received after an article in Boston Herald had been written. Donald Nohs so moved by the fact that Fr John Szantyr, who is without facilities yet was performing sacraments wrote for assistance.

The letter was sent to Archbishop Henry J Mansell of Hartford, CT and to the Diocese of Worcester, Bishop Robert McManus. Neither Bishop after three months has responded in writing.

Additionally an email was sent to the diocese of Hartford and copied to Father Rocco Piccolomini and Worcester Office of Healing coordinator, Frances Nugnet.

Within the email to Sr Mary Kelly, Mr. Nohs writes, pictures of John Szantyr were recently posted on the internet. The gentleman with John Szantyr also belongs to the prayer group in your diocese which is headed by John Szantyr. A woman reached out to a victim of John’s living in your Diocese and expressed that she felt fear and threatened if she speaks about John Szantyr. I am trying to get in touch with this woman so I can encourage her to go to the authorities if she is in fear.

Reading of the Worcester District court ruling stating Fr Szantyr has been judged incompetent. On November 2, 2006 the woman first attempted to locate Mr. Chesnis by searching the phone book on line, several numbers were tried however their efforts did not result in contact.

On November 3, 2006 the woman and her friend then contacted the office of Worcester District Attorney, John Conte. providing information they had concerning Fr Szantyr.

More

June 21, 2007

A question of competence

Is the accused priest playing dumb?

By Scott Zoback, Worcester Magazine

By just about every account, the sex-assault case against retired Worcester priest John Szantyr has gone on for way too long. Almost four years after the initial criminal complaints of indecent assault and battery on a child were issued, the case is no closer to a resolution, having been continued dozens of times. There are now multiple criminal and civil cases pending against Szantyr, stemming from separate alleged incidents and victims. In one case, one prominent alleged victim, Mike Chesnis, claims that he was molested in the mid-1980s when Szantyr was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa. Another pending criminal case dates Szantyr's alleged offenses to the same time period.

The case — aside from its heated subject matter — has also generated significant controversy over Szantyr's claims that he is incompetent and unable to stand trial. Over the past several years, Szantyr's lawyers have raised questions about his physical condition and mental competency. Szantyr has purportedly appeared in court in a wheelchair, and a 2005 letter from his primary physician stated that Szantyr "is unable to understand that he is scheduled to begin his trial next week," primarily "due to his deteriorating physical condition and his emotional and mental condition ...." The letter also cites that "Father John continues to suffer from rapidly advancing Parkinson's Disease and strokes that have had a very negative impact on his health."

And in September 2006, a psychiatric evaluation conducted under the authority of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III found Szantyr mentally incompetent to stand trial.

It's that determination that has raised a number of flags among Szantyr's alleged victims, local advocates, and the Worcester DA's office.

"He can't stand trial, and we're seeking another opinion on that," says DA spokesman Tim Connolly.

The question: Is Szantyr really, truly unable to stand trial?

Worcestervoice.com, a clearinghouse for priest abuse scandal information, has posted what are allegedly photos of Szantyr at the Massachusetts Turnpike stop in Sturbridge on September 12, 2006 — hours after he was deemed mentally incompetent.

According to a May 3, 2007, report in The Boston Herald, a private investigator hired by one of the alleged victims, "spotted the priest twice last week walking without any help, driving on his own to and from church and smoking and yakking on a cell phone, a report obtained by the Herald shows." The investigator's report also cites Szantyr "walking at an even gait, conducive to his age and weight" on April 22, 2007.

Now, there's even more: According to Connecticut DMV documents obtained by Worcester Magazine, Szantyr applied for and received a driver's license in Connecticut on March 15, 2007 — six months after that September hearing.

The DA's office — obviously frustrated by the situation — has called for another evaluation, and Connolly says that District Attorney Joe Early Jr. is "committed to getting this thing wrapped up."

June 4, 2007

Worcester DA Joseph Early, informs former Conte Prosecutor, Joseph J. Reilly III, to pick up the pace in Szantyr trial

Published this week in a Worcester Telegram Sunday article was a general review of new measures brought about by newly elected Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. 

Within the article Worcester Telegram reporter, Shaun Sutner writes, "Mr. Early said that he recently told the assistant district attorney who Mr. Conte assigned to prosecute the case, Joseph J. Reilly III, to pick up the pace. The DA promised that it would go to trial by August".

“I said, ‘Let’s get this wrapped up,’ ” Mr. Early said. “This case has been around long enough.”

The Telegram did fail to note within the article that the retired priest, John J Szantyr is actually accused of sexually assaulting two young male parish children, while he was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish in Worcester. 

Rev. John J Szantyr was first arraigned on three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, July 31, 2003. In the second criminal case, Rev. John J Szantyr was arraigned November 11, 2003, on one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

The actions of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III  in this case have been questioned by those who allege sexual assault by the former Priest.

Most notably was ADA Reilly's refusal to seek out the photos which he was notified of with one hour of the mental competency hearing and his failure to request the witnesses as well.

This news was well received by all those who have been involved in this case as well as those who alleged they were sexually assaulted by the former Priest but due to the statue of limitations can not seek criminal charges.

Many of these individuals who are now grown men have attended some of the numerous court proceedings and have planned to travel to Worcester to be present in the courtroom during the trial.

May 31, 2007

Worcester District Court Tapes not available in Rev John J Szantyr case. 

Missing from the official record in the case of Rev. John J Szantyr are Worcester District court tapes that had earlier been requested by the defense.  

According to a request found in the Szantyr court file Defense Attorney Edward P. Ryan Jr., of O’Connor and Ryan of Fitchburg, on January 15, 2004 requested a tape copy of Worcester District court tape 24 dated January 13, 2004, start time 400 end 645.   

A cassette copy order form can also be located also in the court record which stated on January 20, 2004 a copy of the tape was sent United Parcel service at a cost of Fifty dollars and fifty cents.   

The tape according to the criminal court docket 0362CR005196, Commonwealth v John J Szantyr is in reference to a motion presented before Judge David P. Despotopulos.  

Motions presented by the defense included statements of complaining witness (fresh complaint), disclosure of prior and subsequent bad acts. A bill of particulars, as well as six sections in a motion for discovery, all motions were all allowed by Judge Despotopulos.  

Worcester District Court Case 0362CR005196, involves three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.  

A second criminal complaint was issued in Worcester District Court, case 0362CR008722 involves one charge of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, regarding a young boy. Rev John Szantyr was arraignment in the second case , November 10, 2003.  

During the time of both allegations, Rev. Szantyr was a priest at Our Lady of Czestochowa parish in Worcester. 

The retired priest accused of sexually assaulting two young male parish children also requested to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial during the January 13th hearing. 

A request was issued last month with Worcester District Court for a copy of this tape and according to the Worcester District Court administrators the tape cannot be located.   

According to a District Court clerk “it is highly unusual to have a criminal case remain in the District court system for a four year length of time”.

May 4, 2007

Vatican reads Szantyr case, will they do the right thing?

May 4^th the Holy See, Vatican City reviewed photo and medical documentations that has been presented in Worcester District Court, regarding criminal charges of indecent assault on a child under 14 years, by two different alleged victims, against Fr John J. Szantyr.

Tracking records revel the Vatican viewed the photos taken in the Sturbridge rest area after the September 12, 2006 competency hearing.   

Also reviewed was the undated letter found in the court record which reveals that a continuance was granted due to the death of his beloved nephew, and the hospitalization of his sister.  According to Dr Ramon Mabasa who also identifies himself as his friend, due to these events, John Szantyr was unable to understand he was due to stand trial.

In addition the photo of John Szyantyr from 2002 which shows him healthy and standing in the Visitation, June 2002 monthly publication for the fraternity of Priest was viewed.

No communication from the Vatican in an effort to support the alleged victims’ has been received.

May 3, 2007

P.I. on ex-priest’s case: Wheelchair ‘absolute farce,’ accuser says

Dave Wedge, Boston Herald

Fed up with four years of delays in the case of an accused pedophile priest who claims he’s ill and not competent to face trial, one of the alleged victims hired a gumshoe who nabbed the supposedly debilitated holy man walking and driving on his own.

The sex-assault case against retired Worcester priest John Szantyr has been continued multiple times since 2003 - most recently last Friday - amid ongoing questions over his physical condition and mental competency.

But a private investigator hired by Michael Hodgkins, one of Szantyr’s alleged victims, spotted the priest twice last week walking without any help, driving on his own to and from church and smoking and yakking on a cell phone, a report obtained by the Herald shows.

“I really want to resolve this (case) while he’s still alive,” said another alleged victim, Mike Chesnis, who claims he was molested by Szantyr as a boy in Worcester in the mid-1980s. “I feel he needs to be exposed for who he really is.”

Szantyr’s lawyer, Ed Ryan, who is seeking to have the charges dismissed based on the doctor’s findings, downplayed the controversy.

 “The case ought to have been dismissed long ago,” Ryan said. “He’s incompetent to stand trial and whether or not he needs a wheelchair is irrelevant.”

Reached at his Connecticut home last night, Szantyr said, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to give you any information.”

A Worcester District Court judge last Friday ordered a new competency evaluation and the case was continued to Aug. 20.

“There’s nothing we can do now other than get another expert to give an opinion on his competency,” said Tim Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early. He added that the number of continuances is “a concern.”

Attorney Wendy Murphy, an advocate for the victims, said of the dispute, “The system has to find a way so that the truth is known about this man’s condition.”

The controversy came to a head Sept. 12, 2006, when Szantyr reportedly appeared in court in a wheelchair and a doctor testified that he suffered from Parkinson’s and a neurological disorder. After the hearing, Hodgkins spotted Szantyr walking at a rest area.

 “I just thought it was an absolute farce. He sat in his wheelchair in the courtroom with his head slumped forward,” Hodgkins recalled. “They said his brother and his sister had to feed him and dress him and he had trouble getting around the house. I was so disgusted.”

Hodgkins, who claims Szantyr molested him in 1967, snapped pictures of him at the rest stop and was so infuriated that he hired a Connecticut private eye to trail the retired priest. 

Chesnis, 33, said hopes the explosive report will help him attain justice.

“I’m ready to deal with this. I’m ready to go to trial,” he said. “This man refuses to acknowledge what he’s done.”

May 3, 2007

Alleged victim: ‘I’m crying inside’

Dave Wedge, Boston Herald

Like many victims in the priest sex-abuse scandal, Mike Chesnis has been suicidal, battled depression and struggled to overcome the intense trauma of having his innocence stolen allegedly at the hands of a man of the church.

“Wearing a priest uniform is automatic authority - automatic trust,” said Chesnis, speaking publicly for the first time about his alleged molestation by retired priest John Szantyr. “I feel very betrayed. Part of me hasn’t grown up yet. I’m crying inside.”

Chesnis said he lived silently with shame and humiliation for years, the seeds of which were planted in the rectory of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Worcester in 1986 and 1987, which is when, he alleges, Szantyr courted him with kindness and molested him.

“This man altered my life,” Chesnis said. “I felt shame. I was suicidal.”

Chesnis, 33, served in the military but was discharged because of mental health issues. He’s also been on disability and lived in homeless shelters. These days, he has returned to his faith and serves as a live-in church caretaker.

“I consider it a miracle that I’ve come back to faith,” he said. “I thank God that I’m still alive.”

After sex-assault charges were filed against Szantyr in 2003, several other alleged victims came forward, including Michael Hodgkins, who alleges Szantyr molested him in 1967, when he was 13.

Although Hodgkins, 54, gave prosecutors a deposition, no charges were filed because the statute of limitations had run out.

Asked why he waited so many years to file a complaint, Hodgkins said: “He was a very charismatic man. I was scared to death. Who was going to believe me? This was the ultimate holy man.”

May 3, 2007

Hot on the trail

By Compiled by Herald staff

Below are excerpts of a report by Discreet Investigation Service Inc., a Connecticut private investigator firm hired by alleged priest sex-abuse victim Michael Hodgkins to trail and videotape retired priest John Szantyr. The accused pedophile, 76, has reportedly shown up at court in a wheelchair and his lawyer claims Szantyr is incompetent to stand trial.

 APRIL 6, 2007:

    2:15 p.m.: Male subject (Szantyr) walks from door . . . to his motor vehicle and leaves the area. Male subject is observed walking without any type of    assistance,    re: walker etc. Male subject has even gait conducive to his age and weight.

    2:30 p.m.: Male subject arrives at (church). Male subject is on his cell phone and smoking a cigarette. Male subject enters church and sits on side.

    4:07 p.m.: Male subject exits church and walks to his vehicle, again with no help from any type of walker, etc.

 APRIL 27, 2007:

    6:34 p.m.: Male subject arrives alone, exits his vehicle, walks to his home, not using any type of walker, crutches, etc.

 APRIL 22, 2007:

    8:33 a.m.: Male subject walks from his front door, again using no mechanical assistance . . . enters his vehicle and drives to (church).

   10:01 a.m.: Male subject exits (church), enters his vehicle, then drives directly to his residence.

April 28, 2007

More mental testing for priest facing sex charges

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF, gmurray@telegram.com

WORCESTER— A retired priest found mentally incompetent to stand trial on charges of sexually assaulting a child will undergo another psychiatric examination.

The Rev. John Szantyr, 76, of Waterbury Conn., is awaiting trial in Central District Court on charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14. The allegations date back to the mid-1980s, when Rev. Szantyr was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish on Ward Street.

The assaults are alleged to have occurred from June 1, 1985, to Dec. 12, 1987. The alleged victim is now in his 20s

The charges were lodged in 2003, after the alleged victim told investigators he was sexually assaulted as a child by the priest he knew as “Father John.”

Judge Dennis J. Brennan, since retired, found Rev. Szantyr mentally incompetent to stand trial in September. The finding was based on a psychiatric evaluation done at the request of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III. Rev. Szantyr is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, according to his lawyer, Edward P. Ryan Jr.

Judge David Ricciardone yesterday continued Rev. Szantyr’s case to Aug. 20 at the request of Mr. Reilly and Mr. Ryan, who told the judge they would arrange to have the retired priest undergo another psychiatric evaluation. Rev. Szantyr was not present in the courtroom.

Judge Ricciardone denied a request by Mary T. Jean of Worcester Voice, who advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse, to photograph the proceedings. The judge noted that the case was simply being continued at the lawyers’ request.

Ms. Jean said she had expected Mr. Reilly to move for dismissal of the charges.

March 23, 2007

Clergy sexual abuse case of Father John J. Szantyr scheduled for March 30, 2007 Worcester district court. 

Worcester Voice

Next week will be the first real test for new Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. in regards to clergy sexual abuse.   

Will the District Attorney Office seek to hold accountable John J. Szantyr for the sexual assault of a ten year old alter boy from St Mary’s school, or will he allow the accused Priest to elude criminal responsibility? 

Mr. Richard Chesnis of Worcester who has publicly identified himself as the Father of the victim reports that his son received a call from Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III informing him that it was the intention of the Worcester District Attorney’s office to dismiss the criminal case due to John J. Szantyr’s inability to stand trial based on a mental deficiency.  

The Reverend John J. Szantyr was first arraigned July 31, 2003 on three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.  The allegations allege that he sexually molested a Worcester boy in the 1980s, when he was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish 

According to Gary Murray of the Worcester Telegram, a preliminary psychological examination of Rev John J. Szantyr by a court-designated forensic psychologist was conducted Dec. 16, 2004 at the request of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III.  The case was continued to Feb. 17, 2005 for a hearing to determine whether a further evaluation is in order and, if so, whether it should be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis. 

Mr. Reilly said Rev. Szantyr's lawyer, Edward P. Ryan Jr., had provided him with documentation that called into question Rev. Szantyr's competency to stand trial.  

At the February 17, 2005 hearing it was reveled that the documentation that had been provided to the court by Attorney Edward Ryan had been redacted.

Worcester Central Court Judge Sarkis Teshoian acknowledged that the redaction made the evaluation rather difficult for the court to comprehend.

Attorney Ryan then informed the court that Rev. Szantyr was scheduled February 25, 2005 to under go a complete neurological work up.

Neurology deals with diseases of the brain, the spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system and the muscles. Neurological disorders include e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, movement disorders, myasthenia gravis, neuropathies, disk herniation, epilepsy, headaches and brain tumors. Also diseases associated with dementia like Alzheimer`s disease and those caused by degeneration of the nervous system, such as Parkinson`s disease

The criminal case has faced several other continuances with no other public rendition of court proceedings available. This case has now been on Worcester District Court schedule for almost four years.

During the numerous court dates other men who allege to have been sexually assualted by Rev. John J. Szantyr have attended the court proceeding.

The Worcester Central District Court Judge will render the finial decision on the ability of Rev John J. Szantyr to stand trial. The majority of times the Judge will accept the position of the Prosecuting District Attorney.  

According to the Judges Lobby of Worcester District Court the judge assigned to Rev John J. Szantyr case will not be known until the morning of the March 30^th.  

February 21, 2005

Father John J. Szantyr competency still in question, case continued.

Worcester Voice

Father John J. Szantyr was unable to attend a scheduled court hearing on February 17, 2005.  Attorney Edward P. Ryan Jr., of Fitchburg appeared on his behalf.

In room 411 of Worcester Central District court, Attorney Ryan informed Worcester Central Court Judge Sarkis Teshoian that his client was unable to attend do to his current condition.

Attorney Ryan presented to the court a medical evaluation of Fr. Szantyr in reference to his competency however portions of the medical evaluation had been redacted to preserved confidentiality.

Judge Teshoian acknowledged that the redaction made the evaluation rather difficult for the court to comprehend.

Worcester ADA Joseph Reilly told Judge Teshoian he had not had the opportunity to read the document completely and was not prepared at this time.

Attorney Ryan additional informed the court that Fr. Szantyr was scheduled February 25, 2005 to under go a complete neurological work up. Attorney Ryan stated he believe the report would be available in 30 days and he was willing to share the result of this evaluation with the court.

Fr. Szantyr, 73, of 55 Birch Place, Waterbury, Connecticut, faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The alleged abuse occurred between January 1, 1986 and December 12, 1987, according to court records.

After what Judge Teshoian categorized as a lobby conference during the court break between ADA Reilly and Attorney Ryan it was agreed that the court would conduct it's own competency elevation. Also, Fr. Szantyr would grant authorization to the court for a copy of the examination, to avoid any redaction conflicts.

Fr. Szantyr case was continued until March 27, 2005 at which time the court would review the competency petition.

February 14, 2005

Competency hearing is set for Father John J. Szantyr.

Worcester Voice

A former Worcester teacher and police chaplain, Father John J. Szantyr, will have a competency hearing on February 17 in Central District Court, Worcester.

Fr. Szantyr, 73, of 55 Birch Place, Waterbury, Connecticut, faces charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The alleged abuse occurred between January 1, 1986 and December 12, 1987, according to court records. During that time, Father Szantyr was a priest at Our Lady of Czestochowa parish in Worcester.

This priest has been the subject of controversy since the onset of the 2002 crisis in the Catholic church. The father of the alleged victim, Mr. Richard Chesnis of Worcester, early on told Worcester Telegram reporters that he tried to have Father Szantyr arrested for the sexual assault of his son.

Father Szantyr, who was police chaplain in his native Waterbury, Conn., may have gotten a call to leave the state while Mr. Chesnis was at the Worcester police station making a complaint. Mr. Chesnis had said publicly that a call had to have been made because Father Szantyr suddenly disappeared from Worcester and it was right after he visited the police station.

Mr. Chesnis has said he believes Father Szantyr was given the “heads up” about the accusations which is why he removed himself so quickly from the Worcester area and crossed the state line back into Connecticut.

Father Szantyr recently told a reporter for the Republican-American in Waterbury, Conn., that he has Parkinson’s Disease.

Father Szantyr is being defended by Edward P. Ryan Jr., of Fitchburg.  Attorney Ryan has also represented another accused Worcester clergy, Rev. Jean-Paul Gagnon.

Mr. Chesnis has been a vocal supporter of victims of clergy abuse, he attended the Clergy abuse demenstratins in the cold winter of 2003 at St. Paul's Cathedral.  Mr. Chesnis's voice would echo within the Chatham Street snow covered confines of the hills of Worcester. 

Mr. Chesnis obtained his own bullhorn, to which he has blessed both the front of the Worcester Telegram office and Bishop Robert McManus's installation.  The installation bullhorn incident garnished Mr. Chesnis a ticket from the Worcester Police for improper use of the bullhorn, he was forced to cease use during the installation.  October 26, 2004 Mr. Chesnis, who defended himself was found not responsible in Central District Court for violating a city ordinance regulating bullhorn usage.

Mr. Chesnis January 3, 2005 filed a civil lawsuit in Worcester Superior court WOCV2005-00002. The defendants are listed as Father Szantyr, St Mary's School, Bishop Daniel Reilly, Our Lady of Czestchowa Church, Cardinal Bernard Law, Bishop Timothy J. Harrington, Bishop Bernard Flanagan, and District Attorney John Conte.  Mr. Chesnis allegations begin by stating, for over 15 years the defendants have tortured my family.  Mr. Chesnis ends his suit with Citizen of Worcester 62 years Veteran.

The Voice has been contacted by other men who claim to be alleged victims of Father Szantyr.  Some have traveled from out of state to attended earlier court hearings to support the alleged victim during this criminal process.

The Central District Court Judge will render a decision on the ability of Father Szantyr to stand trial.   

January 13, 2005

Lawsuit filed in priest's alleged abuse

By Ben Conery,Republican-American

WATERBURY -- A Massachusetts man who claims his son was raped by a Waterbury Catholic priest is suing church spiritual leaders, institutions and the Worcester County district attorney, alleging they allowed the abuse to occur and failed to do anything about it afterwards.

The man claims the Rev. John J. Szantyr, 73, of 55 Birch Place, raped his son, who was an alter boy. Szantyr threatened to kill the boy's parents if he told them about the attacks, the lawsuit claims. The man's son is not involved in the lawsuit.

Szantyr's attorney and Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte could not be reached for comment. A lawyer for the Diocese of Worcester said the diocese denies the man's claims.

"His allegations just don't agree with reality," said James Gavin Reardon Jr. Szantyr already faces three criminal counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The alleged abuse occurred between Jan. 1, 1986, and Dec. 12, 1987, according to court documents. During that time, Szantyr was a priest at Our Lady of Czestchowa Parish in Worcester, Mass. Szantyr is scheduled to appear in a Massachusetts court on Feb. 17 so a judge can determine if he's competent to stand trial. Last week Szantyr said he has Parkinson's Disease.

Court records, including the name of the victim, are sealed. The Republican-American is not naming the man who filed the lawsuit to protect the identity of his son.

The man does not have a lawyer and filed the lawsuit on Jan. 3. He is seeking $5 billion to be distributed equally among family members and the victims of sexual abuse by priests. The lawsuit does not make clear from whom he is seeking the money. He also asks in the suit that no Catholic priest ever be allowed to be alone with a child.

Collusion between the church and law enforcement authorities, specifically Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte, allowed the abuse to flourish, the man claims.

"It is precisely the lack of prosecution by the (district attorney) and the cooperation between the church and the (district attorney) that these perverts have had years of freedom to go on raping and abusing children," the man wrote.

Along with Conte, the lawsuit also names Szantyr, former Cardinal Bernard Law, the disgraced archbishop of the scandal-plagued Archdiocese of Boston, three Diocese of Worcester bishops -- Bernard J. Flanagan, Timothy J. Harrington and Daniel P. Reilly -- and Saint Mary's School and Our Lady of Czestchowa Parish, both in Worcester, Mass.

Szantyr had been a teacher at Sacred Heart High School since 1972, where he became head of the department of religion. Szantyr left Waterbury in 1980, but it is unclear why.

The lawsuit claims Szantyr had a prior incident and that coming to Worcester was his second chance. "That second chance resulted in the rape and sodomy of my child, and others," the man wrote.

Szantyr was removed from the diocese in January 1988, but a Diocese of Worcester spokesman has said he did not have any further information regarding Szantyr's removal. He lost his "faculties," which would have prevented him from doing any public ministry. It was unclear why there was a 17-year time lapse between the time of the alleged abuse and the criminal charge being filed against Szantyr in 2003.

January 11, 2005

Diocese facing new abuse suit

Man says not enough done to stop priest who assaulted son

By Kathleen A. Shaw TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER— Richard Chesnis, of 90 Canterbury St., has filed a civil suit in Worcester Superior Court in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of his son during the 1980s by the Rev. John J. Szantyr of Waterbury, Conn.

He named as defendants Bishops Bernard J. Flanagan, Timothy J. Harrington and Daniel P. Reilly of the Diocese of Worcester; Cardinal Bernard Law, former archbishop of Boston; District Attorney John J. Conte, Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish and St. Mary School of Worcester.

“We categorically deny the allegations in the lawsuit,” James Gavin Reardon Jr., lawyer for the Diocese of Worcester, said, adding that the allegations are not based in “reality.” Mr. Chesnis has a “deep anger” toward the Catholic Church in general because of the alleged abuse, Mr. Reardon said, and the Worcester diocese took action 15 years ago when it removed Rev. Szantyr’s ability to function as a priest. He noted that Mr. Conte is prosecuting Rev. Szantyr on criminal charges.

Mr. Conte brought four criminal charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 against Rev. Szantyr in connection with the alleged abuse, and the case is pending before Worcester Central District Court. A mental competency hearing on Rev. Szantyr is scheduled here Feb. 17. Rev. Szantyr told the Waterbury Republican-American last week that he has Parkinson’s disease.

Mr. Chesnis was able to attest to indigency when he filed the suit on Jan. 3, and the court waived the customary filing fee. Mr. Chesnis is proceeding without a lawyer. The alleged victim has asked that his name not be used publicly.

Mr. Chesnis said in his lawsuit that his son was sexually abused by Rev. Szantyr when he was an altar boy at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. He alleges that the priest threatened to “kill both parents if my son told us about Rev. Szantyr’s attacks.” He said his son had loss of self-esteem and loss of attention in school that resulted in poor grades. The alleged abuse occurred in 1986 and 1987, according to court records.

Mr. Chesnis alleged that the defendants failed to properly act in this case and in other cases of alleged clergy sexual abuse that gave the priests a chance to abuse more children. He said their failure to act also caused problems for the victims and family members, including himself.

According to court documents, Rev. Szantyr was assigned to St. Mary School and was accepted as a priest at Our Lady of Czechochowa, which operates the school, under condition “that he would be watched.” Mr. Chesnis said in the suit there was a prior incident with children at his previous placement, and he was “given a second chance” in Worcester. Rev. Szantyr, 73, was never incardinated into the Catholic Diocese of Worcester, and was a member of the Marian Order of the Immaculate Conception. He previously was assigned to Our Lady Immaculate Parish in Athol.

This is the seventh new civil suit alleging clergy sexual abuse filed with the court in the last two weeks. Boston lawyer Carmen L. Durso filed six civil suits, naming six priests of the Worcester diocese, during the last week of December. Mr. Chesnis was recently cleared in Central District Court of a charge that he violated a city ordinance by blasting a bullhorn too loudly outside St. Paul Cathedral during the installation ceremony for Bishop Robert J. McManus last May.

October 27, 2004

Man cleared in horn case

Kathleen A. Shaw, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WORCESTER - Richard Chesnis was found not responsible yesterday in Central District Court for violating a city ordinance regulating bullhorn use after he used the device during the installation ceremony of Bishop Robert J. McManus.

He appeared before a clerk-magistrate to answer a complaint that he violated the ordinance when he stood outside St. Paul's Cathedral on May 14 and shouted through a high-power bullhorn about the clergy abuse scandal affecting the United States and Worcester diocese. A Worcester police officer issued a citation and told him to shut it off.

Mr. Chesnis, a Worcester resident, was among a group of people who demonstrated in front of the cathedral to make known their concern about the scandal but he was the only one with a bullhorn.

Mr. Chesnis, who produced a wallet card indicating he was ordained a minister of World Christian Churches in 1999, said the issue was one of free speech by a minister and he intends to keep using his bullhorn to discuss the clergy abuse scandal.

In court yesterday, he produced a picture of the bullhorn from the original package that indicated it can be audible up to a half-mile away.

Mr. Chesnis told the court that he was told by a police officer that he had to get a permit to use the bullhorn from City Hall. He was then "given the runaround" back and forth from City Hall to the police chief's office. When he asked for a permit, he said he was denied his civil rights and "proceeded to the scene of the cathedral."

He is the father of a man who said he was sexually abused about 15 years ago by the Rev. John Szantyr when the priest was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. Rev. Szantyr, now living in Waterbury, Conn., was charged by District Attorney John J. Conte with indecent assault and battery against a child under 14 in connection with this case. The case is pending. The alleged victim has asked that he not be publicly identified.  

December 30, 2004 

Ex-priest may face further evaluation

Gary V. Murray, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WORCESTER- A retired priest accused of sexually assaulting a child may undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial.

The Rev. John J. Szantyr, 73, of Waterbury, Conn., is awaiting trial in Central District Court on four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14. The charges date back to the mid-1980s, when Rev. Szantyr was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish on Ward Street. The sexual assaults are alleged to have occurred on various dates from June 1, 1985, to Dec. 12, 1987. The alleged victim, a boy, is now in his late 20s.

The criminal complaints against Rev. Szantyr were issued in 2003, after the alleged victim told investigators the man he knew as "Father John" touched him in an indecent manner when he was a child attending Our Lady of Czestochowa and Rev. Szantyr was a priest assigned to the parish.

A preliminary psychological examination of Rev. Szantyr by a court-designated forensic psychologist was conducted Dec. 16 at the request of Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Reilly III, according to court records. The case was continued to Feb. 17 for a hearing to determine whether a further evaluation is in order and, if so, whether it should be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, sources said.

In his written motion for the preliminary evaluation conducted earlier this month, Mr. Reilly said Rev. Szantyr's lawyer, Edward P. Ryan Jr., had provided him with documentation that called into question Rev. Szantyr's competency to stand trial.  

November 13, 2003 

Courthouse Records

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)                                       

John J. Szantyr, 72, of Waterbury, Conn., charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, continued to Dec. 11.

August 4, 2003 

Courthouse Records

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

John J. Szantyr, 72, of Waterbury, Conn., charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, continued to Oct. 14. 

July 22, 2003

Rev. Szantyr arraignment postponed

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WORCESTER -- The arraignment of the Rev. John J. Szantyr, 72, on charges that he sexually abused a Worcester youth in the 1980s, has been postponed until July 31.

Elizabeth Stammo, a spokeswoman for District Attorney John J. Conte, said Mr. Szantyr's lawyer, Edward P. Ryan Jr., is on vacation. The arraignment was originally scheduled for last Friday.

He faces three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, according to Mr. Conte. The alleged victim has asked that his name not be made public.

The alleged incidents happened when Rev. Szantyr, now living in Connecticut, was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish, Worcester.  

June 21, 2003 

Rev. Szantyr to be arraigned July 18

Kathleen A. Shaw, Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

WORCESTER -- The Rev. John J. Szantyr, 72, who served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester during the 1980s, faces three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and is to be arraigned July 18 in Central District Court, according to District Attorney John J. Conte.

Mr. Conte also announced yesterday that he has applied for misdemeanor criminal assault and battery complaints against Brother Lewis Laperle, 75, a former teacher at Notre Dame Academy in Fitchburg. A show-cause hearing for him is scheduled for July 23 in Fitchburg District Court.

The charges were brought against Rev. Szantyr and the application for criminal complaints was filed against Brother Laperle on Thursday, Mr. Conte said.

Rev. Szantyr was assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish, Worcester, when the alleged incidents happened in the 1980s. The three charges involve a single male victim, Mr. Conte said. He said that Rev. Szantyr was located in Waterbury, Conn., his hometown.

Formerly a priest of the Marian Order of the Immaculate Conception, Rev. Szantyr entered the Worcester diocese in 1980 and was assigned to Our Lady Immaculate parish, Athol, where he celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination in 1982.

The district attorney is not revealing the name of the alleged victim.

However, Richard Chesnis of Worcester said several months ago that, after he went to the Worcester police station about 15 years ago to report an allegation that Rev. Szantyr had sexually abused a member of his family, Rev. Szantyr disappeared from Worcester. Mr. Chesnis has been vocal about the alleged abuse and has shown up in front of St. Paul's Cathedral and other locations in the city with a bullhorn.

Mr. Chesnis said he was dissuaded from filing criminal charges then against Rev. Szantyr by the late Bishop Timothy J. Harrington and the former pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa, because Rev. Szantyr had been removed from priesthood and would have no contact with young people.

The district attorney also did not reveal the name of the alleged victim of Brother Laperle. He said the incidents happened between Jan. 1, 1968, and June 30, 1968, when Brother Laperle was teaching at Notre Dame Academy. Brother Laperle was located in Pascoag, R.I.

The district attorney said Brother Laperle can only be charged with offenses that were in effect in Massachusetts in 1968. The charge of indecent assault and battery did not exist at the time, he said. Since the three assault and battery charges are misdemeanors, Brother Leperle has a right to a show-cause hearing before the clerk of the Fitchburg District Court.

Rev. Santyr and Brother Laperle are among 34 priests or religious in the Worcester Diocese who have been the subjects of public allegations of misconduct in recent years.

Bishop Daniel P. Reilly recently received the resignations of five pastors whom he had removed from their parishes last year after misconduct allegations were made against them. This clears the way for him to appoint permanent pastors to those parishes.

At least 13 civil lawsuits are pending, most of them in Worcester Superior Court.

The trial of the Rev. Robert E. Kelley, who is charged with sexually abusing a girl in Leominster in the 1980s, is scheduled for July 21 in Worcester Superior Court.

August 17, 2002

Father, son allege priest sex abuse

Kathleen A. Shaw,Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER-- The Rev. John J. Szantyr, who had been assigned to Our Lady of Czestochowa parish, left the parish 15 years ago after Worcester police were notified he might have molested a boy in the parish.

Richard Chesnis of Worcester, father of alleged victim XXXXXXX XXXXXXX, said he, his former wife and the boy went to the police station and met with officers of the sexual assault unit.

“He fled while we were in the station. I don't know who told him,” Mr. Chesnis said.

District Attorney John J. Conte said yesterday the allegation is under investigation by his office and the Worcester Police Department. He declined to discuss the investigation further.

The statue of limitations may not have expired if it is determined that the priest left the state.

Mr. Chesnis said he believes Rev. Szantyr went to Connecticut, because he is a native of Waterbury. A spokeswoman for the Bridgeport Diocese said Rev. Szantyr is not a priest of that diocese, although his brother is assigned there.

Mr. Chesnis said the subject of the alleged abuse arose when he and his son were driving to Auburn Mall one day. The son asked his father whether it was “OK” for two males to have genital contact.

“It came right out of the blue,” Mr. Chesnis said. “I asked him why he would ask the question and he replied, 'I did it with Father John.' ”

Daniel J. Shea, a lawyer in Houston and Worcester, is representing XXXXXX Chesnis and not the father. He said he recently wrote a letter to Mr. Conte inquiring about the status of the investigation.

Mr. Shea said that when he first contacted the Police Department, the report of the incident was not available. It was found the following day.

Sgt. Gary Quitadamo, spokesman for the Police Department, said the report was made on paper and was not in a computer file. Police found the report after going into the archives, he said.

Mr. Chesnis said Rev. Szantyr started an altar boy society shortly after arriving at the parish, and his son was in it.

Mr. Chesnis said that after making the police report, he was taken to the district attorney's office where he met with Mr. Conte, an assistant district attorney and other people he described as office staff.

 “I got the idea from the meeting that they were trying to dissuade me from bringing charges against the priest,” he said. He was told that his son might be stigmatized and shamed if criminal charges were brought, because he still attended the parish school.

Mr. Conte said he recalls the meeting differently. He said Mr. Chesnis and his wife were in process of a divorce and there was disagreement among them on whether to bring charges. Mr. Chesnis said he signed the paperwork to bring the charges while his former wife did not sign.

Mr. Chesnis said he had been assured by the late Bishop Timothy J. Harrington and the former pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa that criminal charges were not necessary because the priest “had been relieved of his duties as a priest and would have no more contact with children and youth,” Mr. Chesnis said.

Rev. Szantyr also formerly served at Our Lady Immaculate parish, Athol, where he observed the 25th anniversary of his ordination in 1982. At the time he was a member of the Marian Order of the Immaculate Conception and was assigned to the Worcester Diocese in 1980. After ordination in 1957, he served various capacities for the Marianist order in Stockbridge and taught at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury.