BishopAccountability.org
 
  Breaking News: City Police Probe Incident with Buffalo Bishop

The Observer
August 13, 2007

http://www.observertoday.com/articles.asp?articleID=15080

Dunkirk police chief David Ortolano has confirmed it is investigating an incident involving Catholic Bishop Edward Kmiec and a member of a local group fighting parish closings over the weekend resulted in an alleged altercation in Dunkirk.

Ortolano made his statement to WDOE radio in Dunkirk.

Bill Parks, a co-founder of Catholic Parishioners Against Church Suppression (CPACS) said the alleged incident took place around 8:45 p.m. Saturday at the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk.

The bishop was at the hotel for a reception following a Mass to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Silver Creek.

Parks, who was attending a class reunion at the Clarion, said he approached the bishop and had a photo taken with him. He then reportedly told the bishop that they were "pen pals," alluding to letters in opposition of parish closings. As soon as the bishop learned Parks' name, he is said to have launched into a long tirade.

"He started shouting loudly at me and jabbing my chest very hard with his finger over and over again," Parks said.

Buffalo Diocese spokesman Kevin Keenan made a statement to area network news Sunday that the interaction was an "animated discussion" and that there was no physical contact.

Parks said he spoke to Dunkirk Police and was encouraged to file an incident report citing "harassment with unwanted touching of a person's body" on Bishop Kmiec's part.

The OBSERVER has filed a Freedom of Information Law request for access to further information.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.