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 Hodgens 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.

On a three way call later in the day, they informed Worcester Assistant District Attorney Joseph Reilly III, prosecutor in the Szantyr case, that after a prayer group meeting, October 2006 when Fr Szantyr mandated silence as to his activities, they researched his name on the internet. They also explained to ADA Joseph Reilly that Fr Szantyr was indeed active in his community, performing the sacraments and in attendance at a prayer group at the home of Mr. Anthony Russo, of Walcott Ct.

ADA Joseph Reilly abruptly ended their phone conversation claming he must  “run off to an appointment”.

ADA Joseph Reilly never returned a call to follow up on the information they had presented after stating he would.

Michael Hodgens who had taken photos of John Szantyr at the Massachusetts Turnpike, Sturbridge rest area reports frustration with the lack of ADA Reilly’s conduct to request the photos and or witness.

The  photos display Fr Szantyr did nor require a wheel chair, as he was walking and talking all within one hour after the competency hearing in Worcester District court in which Fr Szantyr presented to the court he was incompetent. 

This lack of action by ADA Joseph Reilly resulted in Michael Hodgens hiring a private investigator who filed an investigate report that Fr Szantyr had been observed on several occasions in May 2007.

In addition, documentation from the Connecticut Registry was obtained which reported on March 15, 2007 Fr Szantyr went to the Motor Vehicle Registry and renewed his drivers license for six years.

In most cases when a defendant is charged with multiple serious sex crimes and incompetent they are surrendered to a state medical facility, which in Massachusetts is Bridgewater State hospital to assure public safety. Certainly being incompetent does not relinquish the criminal charges.

The next court hearing in regards to this case is scheduled for August 20, 2007 in Worcester District court.