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. 

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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.

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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.

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September 24, 2007

Thirty fourth continuance set for tomorrow in Fr. John Szantyr criminal case.

Worcester Diocese; begrudgingly helps alleged clergy abuse victims but assist accused Priest in defense.

The Worcester Voice recently was provided with documentation that reveals when Fr John J Szantyr was first charged criminally in 2002. Monsignor Thomas Sullivan, liaison for the Worcester Diocese was in communication with Louisiana Attorney, Joseph Waitz Sr. in regards to legal assistance for the accused Priest. 

In 2003, Monsignor Sullivan received a fax from Paul, the brother of Fr John Szantyr, in regards to a visit by Michel Chesnis at the Connecticut home of Fr. John Szantyr. That fax was then forwarded to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, then John J Conte in an attempt to discredit the alleged criminal victim in this case.

Monsignor Sullivan has stood by idly while the Office of Healing and Protection under the direction of Frances Nugent and Sister Paula Kelleher have refused to provide reasonable assistance to Michael Chesnis, one of the alleged victim.

Currently the Worcester Voice has been forced to financially underwrite investigations and provide resources in the quest of the alleged victims to seek justice, along with other alleged victims of John Szantyr.

Several months ago, Worcester Bishop Robert McManus was contacted by the Worcester Voice seeking financial assistance to continue this work, Bishop McManus refused.

Eleven alleged victims receive support, as well as now numerous witnesses who have come forward with relative facts in this case.  Alone last week over forty hours of detailed work was performed. 

According to the Worcester Diocese financial disclosure for 2006, the Office of Healing has a budget of $124,272 dollars.  In 2005 the annual budget was $179,141. This budget does not cover therapeutic services.

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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 William Murphy 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. 

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September 27, 2007

Accused priest chided for saying Mass

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.

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September 28, 2007

TV stations take on John J. Szantyr issues for safety of young children.

Worcester news tonight channel 3 and Springfield CBS channel 3 both ran stories regarding John J. Szantyr yesterday.

Two TV  interviews with Vic Valois, a retired postal worker from Springfield was conducted which clearly brought forth the fact John J. Szantyr is still having isolated confessions in a bedroom of the home of Neil Harrington Jr. in 2006.  Three years after his arraignment on four counts of indecent assault and battery under fourteen years old.