Utica Priest: 'Mistake in Judgment' Lead to Serious Theft Charges

By Rocco Laduca
Observer-Dispatch
August 14, 2013

http://www.uticaod.com/features/x997496644/Utica-priest-Mistake-in-judgment-lead-to-serious-theft-charges

Rev. Stephen Enea, archbishop of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada, talks about the major renovations that are being done to the Cathedral of the Theotokos of Great Grace, January 10, 2012, in Utica, NY.

UTICA —

Although the Very Rev. Stephen Enea stands accused of not paying contractors nearly $500,000 for renovations to the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan cathedral in Utica, he insists it was always his intention to pay the bill.

But after starting the restoration work about two years ago based on a promised financial donation from a confidential source, Enea said that benefactor's life-situation changed and he or she could no longer pay the contribution as planned.

The bills went unpaid for months, with Enea hoping that sooner or later the money would be obtained, either from the donor or through other fundraisers and contributions.

Soon the renovations at and around the Cathedral of the Theotokos of Great Grace in Cornhill were put on hold about a year ago, and the contractors finally “ran out of patience” with their demands that the archdiocese pay up, Enea said. The Utica parish has about 130 members.

On Tuesday, Enea, archbishop of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada, and his chief operating officer, Phillip Barker Jr., found themselves indicted in Oneida County Court for the unpaid work.

Enea and Barker pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were second-degree grand larceny, four counts of third-degree grand larceny, one count of first-degree scheme to defraud and four counts of issuing a bad check.

They were released on $20,000 bail and are due back in court Monday.

During an interview Tuesday, Enea, who has been archbishop since 2004, acknowledged that the shortfall in money was a “mistake in judgment.” But he also expressed frustration that his and Barker's arrests would be cynically portrayed as the latest in a series of priests-gone-bad.

“I'm tired of hearing accusations that I'm not a real priest, that I'm not a real archbishop, but I'm going to come out fighting and I'm going to be kicking some butt,” Enea said about his critics, who he says have never tried to come talk with him.

“There's only one person in this life that I have to answer to and that's Almighty God, and my conscience is clear,” Enea said. “I'll take my chances with the Lord before I take my chances with the justice system.”

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Bernard Hyman, said he could not comment on the case at this time.

There is no allegation that Enea has been lining his own pockets with money, and he offered reassurance that all donations the church receives primarily goes to help hundreds of children and the poor.

Enea said he understands the contractors need their money, but he said having him and Barker arrested is not the way to handle things. Enea said the church has paid $2,500 toward smaller bills, but stopped paying toward the bigger amount owed because Enea believed occasional monthly payments would barely be a drop in the bucket.

Instead, Enea still holds out hope that one day the church will figure out how to pay the money.

“I'm sorry that it turned out this way, but it's entirely possible the money will come and we'll pay it all off,” Enea said.

“Our intent has always been to pay these bills and get the cathedral restored and the neighborhoods enhanced through the parks and gardens that we planned, and continue to do what we've been doing for years: taking care of the poor and the homeless and the marginalized,” he finished.