Dear Archbishop Mansell, 

     My name is Donald Nohs. I am from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Bishop William Murphy is my Bishop. He is a very good Bishop. I am a member of our Diocesan Review Board. I am a trained Virtus facilitator in my diocese (Virtus is a sexual abuse recognition and prevention program) and I am a member of our Diocesan support group. I am also a victim of priestly sexual abuse. I have a brother who is a very good Roman Catholic priest in my Diocese.  If you do a Google search on my name you will read or hear my story. The priest who abused me is Fr. John Szantyr. There are many other victims of John Szantyr, some have left the sacraments and are very bitter toward the Church. Some have drug and alcohol problems and some have contemplated suicide.  I am not going to get into too much detail unless you have questions, but I am in touch with other victims and try to be an example for them and help them as best I can by the Grace of God.

   The reason I am writing to you is because I was informed that John Szantyr is living in your diocese. That’s fine; but I was also informed that he runs a prayer group out of a house and about a month ago he heard a woman’s confession and gave her communion at this home. I don’t know if there is a tabernacle at this house or if he carries consecrated Eucharist’s with him. The woman is not ill and does not need a homebound Eucharistic Minister. I also heard that he told the members of his prayer group that they would be persecuted if they ever talk about the allegations against him. His address is 55 Birch Pl. Waterbury, Conn. 06704. I don’t know if this is the house he runs the group out of or some other house that he has converted to a chapel.

   Would you please tell me the standing of John Szantyr? I thought that he was not allowed to function as a priest. I don’t think that he was defrocked, but I did think that his faculties were removed.

     When I was abused by John I was 12 years old, I am now 54. John continued to abuse many young boys throughout his entire priestly life. When he abused me he belonged to the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. I know they sent him to New Mexico for treatment. He left there after ten months. He told someone that the reason he was sent to New Mexico is that his fellow priests were jealous of his spirituality because the Blessed Mother spoke to him, so they sent him there to get rid of him. He does believe that the Blessed Mother speaks to him, many others believe this also. This is why the woman who told John her confession is in fear of him and those around him. She did reach out to a victim living there in Connecticut, but is afraid that she will be found out if she communicates further with this victim since John threatened the group.

     I myself was able to forgive what he did to me. He does not know that I forgave him. But between me and God, I asked God to forgive him, not to let what he did to me to stop his soul from going to heaven. I also made an act of reparation for his sake. 

   Any help or information you can provide on John Szantyr would be greatly appreciated.

In Christ, 

From: Donald Nohs
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 3:16 PM
To: sr.maryk@aohct.org
Cc: fnugent@worcesterdiocese.org; frocco@worcesterdiocese.org
Subject: Fr. John Szantyr

Dear Sr. Mary Kelly,

Attached is a copy of a letter I sent to Archbishop Mansell regarding Fr. John Szantyr who is residing in your Diocese. If you can help me with any information regarding John Szantyr I would greatly appreciate it. 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.

If you would like further information on me, please call Eileen Puglisi at the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People in the Diocese of Rockville Centre 631-678-5800 ext. 573

Thank You for your patience and attention in this matter,

In Christ,

Donald H. Nohs

From: Fr. Rocco [mailto:frocco@worcesterdiocese.org]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 12:32 PM
To: Donald Nohs
Subject: RE: Fr. John Szantyr

Dear Mr. Nohs,

I will refer your e-mail to Bishop Robert McManus, Bishop of Worcester, and forward a copy to Mrs. Frances Nugent, Co-Director of our Office for Healing and Prevention.

If you need further assistance, please feel free to e-mail or call 508-929-4363.

In Christ,

Fr. Rocco Piccolomini

Secretary to the Bishop

Director of Priest Personnel