by Cris Italia and Joseph Kellard
Will all pews filled and parishioners standing, Monsignor Conrad R. Dietz spoke briefly of the recent allegations against the Rockville Centre Diocese. Just two weeks ago the Suffolk County District Attorney criticized the way the church had handled past sexual abuse cases. With controversy surrounding the Diocese, the 11a.m. mass at St. Anthony's was still well attended.
"When you can live for life and see the problem, and still come back [to the church] and still believe and still trust, that's when you and I have gotten the message," Rev. Dietz said. "God doesn't want suffering. But suffering is part of life."
The Monsignor said the report from the Suffolk District Attorney caused "pain, shock and suffering" to the church and to it's parishioners. "This scandal, I think, will be with us for a long time. We have to live with that fact," he said.
After admitting the recent charges would cause long-term damage, he expressed how important it was for the parish to remain strong, and hoped parishioners would continue to contribute.
"We also have to live with the fact that there are programs here at St. Anthony's as well as throughout the Diocese that have to be subsidized through your contributions with the Bishop's campaign," Rev. Dietz said. "We are dealing with damage control. And I deliberately use that expression 'damage control.' But we don't want that problem to carry over to the poor and to the needy."
In Island Park residents attended Sacred Heart Church with the allegations of sexual abuse far from their mind. "We come here to pray, and to worship God, that's first and foremost," said Marie Alluri, a seven year resident of Island Park. "While we understand what has surfaced recently we can not have that deter us from the Lord."
Many parishioners agreed the Church is first and foremost a place to worship God. "We will never stop coming to our parishes, because they are what keeps us together even through times like this," said Amanda Stover, 32, of Island Park. "For the priest that have been charged and accused with sexual abuse all we can do is pray for them."
