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	Waterbury: Mount Carmel Parishioners Stunned by Priest's Transfer By Taryn Plumb Republican-American March 8, 2007 http://www.rep-am.com/story.php?id=20539&rating=5&rateit=Submit+Rating Waterbury — Parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church are bewildered and shocked by the removal of the Rev. David J. Borino and the accusation of financial irregularities at the church. "The archdiocese did a disservice to this priest in the way that they handled the whole thing," said Rocco Orso, purchasing director for the city and an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist at Mount Carmel. "They treated pedophiles better than this priest." He said the entire parish was caught off guard when it was announced that Borino had been transferred, and he described Borino as "devastated." Borino was removed from the church earlier this week when the Archdiocese of Hartford received information about "financial irregularities," said the Rev. John Gatzak, director of communications at the Archdiocese. Borino remains pastor of the 1,800-family church in Town Plot, but has been temporarily removed to oversee the Monastery of the Glorious Cross in Branford. In the interim, the Rev. John Georgia, pastor of St. Gregory the Great parish in Bristol, will replace him as administrator at Mount Carmel. The archbishop is in the midst of a financial review of Mount Carmel that is expected to take several weeks. When completed, a full report will be provided to the parish. There was no further information available on what the financial irregularities were, or where the accusation came from. Gatzak said the archdiocese will not release any more information until the financial review is completed. "We're very saddened that this happened," said Rep. Anthony J. D'Amelio, R-71st District, a lifelong Mount Carmel parishioner. Other parishioners were frustrated by the lack of information available about what actually happened " and the gossip that has ensued because of that. "I don't want to hear it," Rosario Minnocci, owner of Avventura Meat and Deli on America Street, said of circulating rumors. "It would be unfortunate if we blemish or hurt people without having anything to base it on." D'Amelio lamented the lack of available information, too, although he said he understands that the investigation is important. The representative has received many calls this week from people in the parish, he said; almost all of them hold a firm belief that Borino is innocent. He described Borino as "very loving and compassionate," and said the priest brought unity to the parish after the renovation dispute. He suggested that people call and write to Borino to show support. "We're together behind our pastor," he said. "Hopefully, he'll be back soon." This isn't the first financial scuttlebutt the church has experienced. In 2002, parishioners fought with the Rev. James Smith over a $500,000 church renovation project. Parishioners said the parish and finance councils never approved the grandiose endeavor, but Smith tried to push it forward before resigning because of the dispute. Borino took his place in June 2003. Georgia, the interim priest at Mount Carmel, visited the parish on Monday. While serving there, he'll celebrate Mass, funerals, weddings and sacraments. He'll also handle more mundane tasks, such as paying bills. Time-wise, overseeing two churches will be demanding, he acknowledged, but both parishes have dedicated and cooperative staffs. He has known Borino for 20 years and described him as a good priest. "It's a difficult time for many people," he said. "I just hope to be a healer." Steve Gambini of the Republican-American staff contributed to this report
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