Rev. James J. Aquino

Cancer claims life of retired priest

Misconduct allegations dogged Aquino

By Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER— The Rev. James J. Aquino Jr., who stepped down as pastor of Our Lady of Loreto parish after being accused in 2004 by Las Vegas police of sexual misconduct, died Tuesday night in Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

The Rev. Aquino, a former superintendent of the area’s Catholic schools, had been suffering from cancer, according to officials with the Diocese of Worcester. He was 68.

Bishop Robert J. McManus last year accepted Rev. Aquino’s resignation from the pastorship after allegations that the priest had engaged in inappropriate behavior with an adult.

Besides Our Lady of Loreto, Rev. Aquino had served as a priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Ann in Worcester and St. Anne’s in Shrewsbury.

January 11, 2007

Exiled priest still claims innocence

Sojourner in Florida taunts parish in city

Dianne Williamson, T&G STAFF

It’s hard to miss the Rev. James J. Aquino when he won’t go away.

The former pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Church, removed from active ministry and soaking up the sun in Florida, recently penned a rather poignant letter to parishioners, just as they’re due to hear the results of a diocesan audit that may make them wonder whether they, too, have been soaked.

“I am retired from active ministry and live the life of leisure at the Cape and in Florida,” the Rev. Aquino wrote from his condo in Naples in a holiday form letter to selected parishioners. “I do miss ministry, but am learning to like the life of leisure more and more each day.”

I’ll bet. Meanwhile, the Diocese of Worcester is putting the finishing touch on an audit of the church that will be made public to parishioners this weekend, and let’s just say it raises the possibility Rev. Aquino rolled the dice with church finances as cavalierly as he jetted off to his beloved Las Vegas.

“As a parishioner, I’m not pleased,” said Michael Sacco, an accountant and chairman of the finance committee of Our Lady of Loreto. “I don’t think anyone is going to be happy.”

While no one was willing to disclose many specifics about the audit, it will reportedly reflect a church saddled with debt due partly to unpaid bills and delinquent diocesan obligations that weren’t addressed by the Rev. Aquino when he served as pastor of the parish on Massasoit Road until he was removed in November 2005 because of a Las Vegas indiscretion.

He reportedly left the church with a debt to the diocese of more than $100,000, partly because he failed to pay obligations such as a priest retirement fee and medical insurance, and he was also lax in paying church vendors and city water and sewer bills. He also reportedly was slow in paying the $400,000 mortgage on a parish building that was erected several years ago on church property.

As a result, surprised church leaders are now scrambling to repair parish finances.

“We’re just trying to pick up the pieces,” said Mr. Sacco. “We don’t really know where the funds went. Now that the diocese has done the audit, and they tell us we owe this, this and this, you start to scratch your head … If things are delinquent, why haven’t they been paid? If we owed that money, why didn’t anybody know about it?”

Said another parishioner, “Everyone thought he was paying the bills, but apparently he wasn’t.”

While no one is accusing Rev. Aquino of financial impropriety, many in the church also note he was secretive and vague in disclosing the profits from the Italian Festival, a popular annual event that draws big crowds, and he would offer only an oral report rather than an expected written account.

The finance committee was created after a defiant Rev. Aquino left the church amid a sex scandal, when news broke he had been charged in Las Vegas with performing a public sex act in a pornographic movie theater in October 2004. A spokesman for the Las Vegas police said the priest “essentially got caught up in a raid” after he paid $8 to enter an adult store and was spotted by vice squad detectives masturbating another man.

He was cited for lewd conduct but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was ordered to perform community service. His case was dismissed in September 2005.

Bishop Robert J. McManus removed Rev. Aquino when the incident became public in fall 2005, after Rev. Aquino took to the pulpit and told a packed congregation that he was innocent of the charges and was only targeted because he was a priest.

Now retired, he apparently still maintains his innocence — sort of.

“To those who have refused to forgive or acknowledge the tragic mistake I made in a moment of weakness, I fully understand and once again, ask for forgiveness and reconciliation,” he wrote. Then he seems to reconsider, and continued: “As you know, charges were dismissed against me and I passed a polygraph test four times attesting to the fact that I was telling the truth in proclaiming my innocence.”

Which is it? While he offers a typical bifurcated defense — I didn’t do it, but if I did, it was a mistake — he also takes a shot at Bishop McManus:

“I think he was more concerned with protecting his own image with the media and the ‘kooks’ of the Voice of the Faithful than he was in supporting me!” the priest wrote.

This week, diocesan spokesman Raymond Delisle said Bishop McManus is in Washington and “had no desire” to respond to Rev. Aquino’s remarks, but I’m betting the bishop has smoke coming out of his ears, especially considering the embarrassment Rev. Aquino has already caused the local diocese.

Of the priest’s letter, Mr. Delisle said, “He’s obviously voicing his opinion, but I can’t stand behind what he says. I don’t agree with his opinion.”

Rev. Aquino owns a condo in Naples that he bought in 1995 for $130,000 with Monsignor Louis P. Piermarini. Its appraised value is $224,696, according to records. Rev. Aquino was initially placed on administrative leave by the bishop, but is now officially retired with no facilities for public ministry, according to Mr. Delisle. He receives $375 a week from the diocese, plus $83 a week because he lives independently.

Mr. Sacco said the finance committee would deliver the bad news to parishioners over the weekend, perhaps in the church hall after each Mass. He also said he was glad the priest was recovering from a bout with cancer, but indicated the timing of his letter was rather poor.

“If there is a past debt, and he’s out there having a good time, good for him,” he said. “Of course it bothers me, but it’s time for the church to move on. We need a fresh start and a new beginning.”

Contact Dianne Williamson by e-mail at dwilliamson@telegram.com.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Scandal involving Catholic priest spurs readers’ reactions

letters to the editor TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

MARIE OVIAN, Sutton

In light of the recent scandal in the Catholic Church involving the Rev. James J. Aquino, I felt the need to write this letter. I’m embarrassed at what has been happening to our church and wonder where it’s going. Is there a new motto in the church, “stay quiet,” unless or until the truth is uncovered? If and when that happens, feign ignorance? Bishop Robert J. McManus should also be put on leave for his compliance in trying to keep the truth from being known. How does he think the majority of Catholics feel about being duped?

My heart goes out to the parishioners of Our Lady of Loreto. They clearly loved and respected Rev. Aquino and bought his boldfaced lies about being falsely arrested. He used his charisma and position to mislead his faithful parishioners. What audacity he has to use his position in such a way. The parish deserved better from its pastor and should have received the truth from the bishop. To me, Bishop McManus is guilty of deceit and should not be in the position he is currently in. We are expected to look up to and revere our priests and bishop, but it’s becoming very difficult to know just who you can trust in the clergy.

The Catholic Church should wake up, because by refusing to look at alternative options for priesthood (married men or women) and staying the current course, I cannot help but ask, how’s that working for the church so far?

DEBORAH CLARK, Jefferson

I’d like to commend the photographer who took the picture of the Rev. James J. Aquino (Telegram & Gazette, Oct. 25). This picture is the epitome of the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” What is most striking is the cross behind Rev. Aquino.

Does the Lord send us to places where we don’t want to be? Does he use us to communicate to others? Rev. Aquino told us he went somewhere he wishes he never went, so much so that he weeps. Can you hear it? Heaven does. Does heaven speak to you and I? Ask yourself honestly now, have you been to a place you knew you shouldn’t have? A road or a path you should never have taken? Have you looked at a magazine or watched a movie you knew you should not have? You might say as a priest he shouldn’t have, but as a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Jew, you shouldn’t have either. And if you answered yes to the preceding questions, maybe heaven will bless you with a tear falling below your eyes or an ache in your heart, and if you can say no, then again thank heaven. For it is only by the strength of heaven that you can say no, please Lord don’t put me to the test. Now is the time in history to cry with your brother, for surely that is who he is no matter what religion you are

DAVID CLOHESSY, Nat'l Dir., Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, St. Louis, Mo.

For years, when finally confronted with evidence of sexually abusive priests, Catholic bishops lamely responded, “We just didn’t know.” Now, when forced by concerned parishioners and conscientious journalists, Bishop Robert J. McManus falls back on the same disingenuous claim, this time about the Rev. James J. Aquino’s crimes in Las Vegas. The bishop asserts he didn’t know the “full truth” about Rev. Aquino’s activities in an adult bookstore.

The trouble is, Bishop McManus’ claim is contradicted by an impeccable source — the Nevada prosecutor who directly informed the bishop about Rev. Aquino’s crime months and months ago.

Worcester Catholics should ask themselves whom they trust. A public servant with no ax to grind, no agenda to serve and no reason to shade the truth — or Bishop McManus, with every incentive to deceive and try to minimize his irresponsible and reckless misbehavior, who hid a criminal charge against Rev. Aquino and kept him in parish ministry for nearly a year?

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Bishop refines his case

Skepticism remains on Rev. Aquino story

by Diane Williamson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Bishop Robert J. McManus has decided to bypass the secular skeptics and preach to the converted.

After more than two weeks of silence to lingering questions about the Rev. James Aquino case, he opted to respond to the 17,000 subscribers of The Catholic Free Press, the diocesan newspaper in which he writes an occasional column under his trademark motto, “Christ, The Splendor of Truth.”

In doing so, the bishop relieved himself of the burden of answering questions about inconsistencies in his handling of the case, which is surely his prerogative and no great surprise, as the church hierarchy rarely considers itself answerable to the populace.

Specifically, reporters have been calling Bishop McManus repeatedly in an effort to understand why he initially supported the Rev. Aquino after the priest was charged with lewd conduct last year in Las Vegas, then suddenly relieved him of his duties last month after the issue broke in the press.

OK, so damage control is hardly rocket science, and it seemed apparent that the bishop responded to the scandal after he could no longer contain it. Except that’s not what the bishop said when he removed Rev. Aquino Oct. 30. Then, Bishop McManus claimed that “I did not possess the whole truth” about the incident until recently, even though he learned about Rev. Aquino’s conduct in February.

To recap, Rev. Aquino was charged with lewd conduct after police say they saw him masturbating another man in a Las Vegas porn theater Oct. 21, 2004. The bishop was informed in February of this year. In March, Rev. Aquino pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was ordered to perform community service. On Sept. 6, the case was dismissed.

Last month, as the case broke on the Internet and local reporters began making inquiries, Rev. Aquino called an extraordinary meeting of his parishioners at Our Lady of Loreto Parish and vehemently denied engaging in any sex act. Rather, he blamed the charge on police eager to target a priest. And his lawyer told parishioners that Bishop McManus has been “very supportive of Father and very pleased with how the matter was handled,” saying he felt no need to discipline him.

Six days later, Bishop McManus felt a need to discipline him. His feelings had changed, the bishop said. Suddenly, he considered the case “a source of great scandal” for the church, he told parishioners.

Pesky reporters — as well as many in the public — were confused. What had changed? What new facts had come to the bishop’s attention?

Finally, we know. Well, we sort of know. Actually, we’re still not quite sure, but let’s hear what the bishop has to say. In fairness to him, I won’t paraphrase his main points and instead quote him directly:

“Shortly before I spoke at the parish I received an unredacted copy of the initial police report, which included the name of the individual alleged to have been involved in sexual activity with Father Aquino,” the bishop wrote in the Free Press. “The police report I had been given in February did not include that full name. Second, I learned of the admission of sexual activity by the other consenting adult, when it was reported on NECN-TV. Third, I learned that an additional Las Vegas law enforcement official publicly supported the findings of the initial police report.”

It’s not clear why the name of the man alleged to have engaged in sex with the priest was pertinent to the bishop’s understanding. As for the “additional Las Vegas law enforcement official,” I believe he was referring to a Las Vegas police sergeant I interviewed by picking up the phone and calling him. This cop simply explained that Rev. Aquino had been caught in a raid, and he scoffed at his protestations of innocence.

In his homily to parishioners, Bishop McManus claimed that he had “tried my best to discern the truth” about the Aquino incident. In his recent column in the Free Press, he indicated that he relied on the priest and his lawyer for information, surely not the most exhaustive of investigative techniques. What sort of effort is expended by taking an accused man at his word, let alone the word of his lawyer? Bishop McManus spoke to the Las Vegas district attorney in February — how can he now insist that he didn’t know the truth?

These questions will remain unanswered. And the bishop’s claim that his actions “did not constitute a coverup, as some have suggested,” must go unchallenged, because he has declined to make himself available. Instead, he’s obviously more comfortable pontificating in the Free Press.

So be it. I don’t mean to pile on, but I figured that the bishop’s explanation deserved a bigger audience than the one provided by the diocesan newspaper. And I’ll simply note here that if the Free Press claims “the truth shall set you free,” it can also tie you up in knots.

Contact Dianne Williamson by e-mail at dwilliamson@telegram.com.

November 15, 2005

Bishop denies sex cover-up

McManus’ answers in print

By Kathleen A. Shaw TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
kshaw@telegram.com

WORCESTER— Bishop Robert J. McManus maintains he never attempted to cover up an incident of lewd conduct involving the Rev. James J. Aquino in Las Vegas, but was led to believe the charges brought by police were inaccurate and the case would be dismissed.

That belief changed in late October, he said, when news of the incident became public, police and court documents from Las Vegas were posted on a Web site, and Rev. Aquino stood on the altar of Our Lady of Loreto parish to relate his account, saying the bishop had asked him to remain quiet about the incident.

The bishop’s response was in a column he writes for the Diocese of Worcester newspaper, The Catholic Free Press, on Nov. 11. He had not responded to e-mails, faxes and phone requests for clarification placed over the past 10 days on what new information he had received late last month that prompted him to reverse his earlier position and remove Rev. Aquino from active ministry.

“Some have asked if I made a mistake when I left Father Aquino in ministry until recently,” Bishop McManus states in the latest issue of the Free Press. “In recent weeks, I have asked myself this same question,” he said.

He said his decision to leave Rev. Aquino in the ministry for several months after learning of the Oct. 24, 2004, incident was based on what Rev. Aquino and his lawyer had told him.

Bishop McManus said that although Rev. Aquino originally was charged more than a year ago, he did not learn of the incident until February. He said he talked with David Roger, district attorney for Clark County in Las Vegas, and was given a copy of the police report that was redacted, adding that he was assured by Rev. Aquino and his lawyer that the police report was inaccurate and that the charges would be dismissed.

Apparently the only redacted portion of the police report forwarded to the bishop was the name of the other man involved in the incident.

Rev. Aquino had said that he wasn’t involved in sexual activity when he was detained by Las Vegas vice squad officers the previous year in the Adult Superstore, but did acknowledge some wrongdoing. Bishop McManus said he “learned of the admission of sexual activity by the other consenting adult” when it was reported in the news media.

In addition, he said, “I learned that an additional Las Vegas law enforcement official publicly supported the finding of the initial police report,” he said. A spokesman for Las Vegas police told the Telegram & Gazette this month that Rev. Aquino paid $8 to enter a theater and adult book store and was observed during a raid.

“Finally, I was troubled by the manner, as reported in the press, by which Father Aquino denied the allegations at the public meeting he called. I was also disturbed by inappropriate statements made against the investigating police officials in Las Vegas, and strongly expressed my appreciation for law enforcement officials in my homily to the parishioners.”

Rev. Aquino’s lawyer, Anthony A. Froio, told the parishioners that police did not become interested in Rev. Aquino until finding out he was a priest.

“Following the meeting, I reconsidered the facts of the case and the previous explanations given to me since last February,” the bishop wrote in his column.

Rev. Aquino, who was vacationing in Las Vegas, was detained along with the other man in the adult entertainment store. Vice squad officers said they observed the priest masturbating the other man during a movie.

When escorted outside by police, Rev. Aquino gave a false Social Security number and later admitted he did that because he was a priest, according to officers who conducted the raid. He was issued a criminal citation for lewd conduct and giving false information.

In March, he was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct after he provided proof that he had done 50 hours of community service work and attended counseling. The case was dismissed from the Justice Court in Las Vegas Sept. 6.

“In this entire matter there was no attempt to impede justice. No documents were concealed. At no time did I ask the district attorney to intervene to the benefit of Father Aquino,” the bishop said.

Philip M. Hymanson, an Athol native and former prosecutor, now a lawyer for the Las Vegas Diocese, said last week that his diocese was contacted by Mr. Roger after Rev. Aquino was charged, and was told there was “a priest in trouble.”

Mr. Hymanson said the Las Vegas Diocese had no role after it was determined Rev. Aquino was from the Worcester Diocese. Mr. Roger said in a recent interview that he has a good working relationship with the Las Vegas Diocese and generally informs them when allegations are made against priests.

Bishop McManus said he was “very disheartened” by the incident in Las Vegas. “Notwithstanding the immoral character of the incident and his wrongful presence in an adult entertainment store, I am mindful that this case is different from that of a priest abusing his office when another person knows that he is a priest, particularly since this incident involved a consenting adult,” he said.

November 3, 2005

The more things change …
Bishop still put image ahead of ‘whole truth’

by Diane Williamson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Nine days ago, the lawyer for the Rev. James J. Aquino took to the pulpit at Our Lady of Loreto Church — in itself, a rather extraordinary scenario — and told hundreds of parishioners that their bishop was satisfied with the disposition of his client’s criminal case.

“The bishop has been very supportive of Father and very pleased with how the matter was handled,” attorney Anthony A. Froio said, adding that Bishop Robert J. McManus saw no need to discipline the priest and considered the matter closed.

The lawyer’s statements, along with Rev. Aquino’s repeated assurances that the case is indeed “over and done with,” were clearly delivered with the full knowledge and support of Bishop McManus, who had previously ordered Rev. Aquino to keep quiet about an incident that could cause deep embarrassment to the diocese.

Now, nine months after the bishop learned that the priest had been charged with performing a public sex act in Las Vegas, we learn that the bishop’s investigative skills are sorely lacking. According to the bishop, he didn’t have the “whole truth” until a few days ago, even though he spoke with Las Vegas officials in February. Until now, he thought his decision to take no action against Father Aquino was appropriate.

“But that has now changed,” he said. Suddenly, the bishop believes that the Aquino case is “a source of grave scandal” for the church.

Help me out here. I understand that Bishop McManus is no Bob Woodward, but the case against Rev. Aquino was as straightforward as it comes. According to Las Vegas police, the longtime priest was seen masturbating another man in an adult oriented store in October 2004. He was cited for lewd conduct. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was ordered to perform community service. On Sept. 6, the case was dismissed.

The only thing “that has now changed” is that the story broke and the diocese could no longer cover up the incident — which only shows that nothing has changed in a church that has once again failed to honestly face its demons.

On Sunday, days after Father Aquino’s transgression was reported in the local media, Bishop McManus addressed parishioners at Our Lady of Loreto and announced that the priest would be removed as pastor pending an internal “canonical investigation,” the workings of which are private. But there was never anything private about the facts of this case, which were disseminated to Bishop McManus by the district attorney of Clark County, Nev., and even posted on the Internet.

Still, the bishop indicated to parishioners Sunday that he relied on Rev. Aquino’s lawyer for information, even though he apparently had easy access to Las Vegas authorities. I know the media did; a spokesman for the Las Vegas police told me last week that the priest “essentially got caught up in a raid” after he paid $8 to enter an adult store and was spotted by vice squad detectives masturbating another man.

“I am keenly aware of your disappointment,” the bishop told the parish, which days earlier had given Rev. Aquino a standing ovation after he vehemently denied engaging in any sex act. “I hope you also know that these painful burdens have weighed on me as well, especially since I have tried my best to discern the truth.”

Has he? How? What new facts have come to his attention? Why is his perception of events so drastically altered? What has now changed? If he didn’t have an adequate grasp of the case, why didn’t he? If he did, why the failure to act sooner?

Efforts to put these questions to Bishop McManus have been unsuccessful, despite requests for interviews through his spokesman, Raymond Delisle, and his secretary, the Rev. Rocco Piccolomini, who yesterday said the bishop “has commitments out of state” and could not be reached.

Meanwhile, many in the parish have indicated that they’re willing to forgive Rev. Aquino, which is certainly a fine thing. But shouldn’t people first know what they’re forgiving? Rev. Aquino continues to deny everything except his presence in the porn shop and has blamed the scandal on cops trying to target a Catholic priest, but the bishop apparently no longer believes him, if he ever did.

As we say in the secular world, it’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up. Different people may render different judgments on what is essentially a victimless crime, committed by a priest who pledged the near-impossible vow of chastity and is thus driven to a rather sad form of sexual relief. One can only speculate as to how often such acts are committed by lonely priests. But the diocese has failed to be forthcoming and has apparently learned nothing from past mistakes. Instead, its image is paramount.

“From the calls and communications I have received this week I know that many are disappointed,” Bishop McManus said on Sunday. “They’ve been taught to expect better.”

Really? So far in the Aquino case, diocesan officials have lied, denied, mishandled, covered up, blamed clergy haters, issued shallow apologies, offered lame excuses, and finally realized the gravity of the scandal only after they could no longer contain it.

Sadly, I’d say this is exactly what people have been taught to expect from the Catholic Church.

Contact Dianne Williamson by e-mail at dwilliamson@telegram.com.

November 3, 2005

Worcester Telegram columnist challenges Bishop McManus to admit the dioceses failure in the Fr James Aquino Case.

Worcester Voice

Columnist Diane Williamson, for the second Thursday in a row, has written the unholy truth. In her column today, her presentation reflects what many Catholic's have been speaking of in the background.

Ms Williamson recalls, So far in the Aquino case, diocesan officials have lied, denied, mishandled, covered up, blamed clergy haters, issued shallow apologies, offered lame excuses, and finally realized the gravity of the scandal only after they could no longer contain it.

So where is Bishop Robert McManus? Last week during this crises, he was not available many days. Bishop McManus did however have time for two interviews with Worcester Channel TV 3, one Friday October 28, 2005 and then again Monday October 31, 2005, after he had removed Fr. Aquino. Worcester Channel TV 3 has a very limited news area.  Bishop McManus did grant one other interview, to The Catholic Free Press editor in chief, Margaret M. Russell according to her article.

For all others who fail to over look the "spin", Worcester Dioceses, spokesman, Raymond Delisle, repeatedly has stonewalled and given very little information.  As in last week when Fr Aquino, and his lawyer stood on the alter, only later to be shown to be untruthful. The only comment from the Worcester dioceses was "the bishop is taking this matter seriously". 

The "Voice" hand delivered a letter to the Chancellery for Bishop McManus on Friday, October 28, 2005. No reply as of yet. A phone call was placed to Msgr. Thomas J. Sullivan, diocesan chancellor on Friday October 21, 2005, no return call.  Emails were sent out on Friday October 21, 2005, to Mr. Raymond Delisle, still no reply.

The real question for Bishop McManus is, you received the criminal citation ,and the arrest report from the Las Vegas District Attorney in February, you were contacted by Bishop Joseph A. Pepe of Las Vegas diocese as well.  Yet on Sunday you stated new information came to light last week that caused you to remove Fr Aquino?

What new information? 

How Bishop Robert McManus can continue to project this twisted weave of deception to the Worcester dioceses Faithful, in the name of God, and think the Faithful believe him is bewildering.     

However, as so pointy stated by Ms Williamson, Sadly, I’d say this is exactly what people have been taught to expect from the Catholic Church.

November 2, 2005

McManus knew earlier of charges against priest

Nevada DA sent bishop police report on Aquino

By Kathleen A. Shaw TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

David Roger, district attorney of Clark County, Nev., said yesterday that he notified Bishop Robert J. McManus in February of the scope of the criminal charges lodged against the Rev. James J. Aquino of Worcester, and provided the bishop with copies of the citation and police report.

Mr. Roger’s account of when the bishop was made aware of details that led to charges against Rev. Aquino appears to differ from recent statements by the bishop concerning the situation. Attempts to reach Bishop McManus and Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the bishop and the Catholic Diocese of Worcester, for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

On Monday, the bishop said his decision to remove Rev. Aquino from his pastorate at Our Lady of Loreto Parish last weekend was based on new information he received in the past week.

“From early February until a few days ago I believed I was in possession of the truth. A few days ago, I realized with deep regret and disappointment that I did not possess the whole truth,” he said.
 

Issues surrounding the diocese’s handling of allegations against Rev. Aquino came to light when copies of the citation, police report and court records were posted Oct. 21 on an Internet Web site. Four days later, Rev. Aquino addressed parishioners at Our Lady of Loreto and denied that he had been involved in sexual misconduct.

The bishop indicated in previous statements to the Telegram & Gazette and to Daniel E. Dick, victim support coordinator for Worcester Voice of the Faithful, an independent lay Catholic organization, that he saw no reason to remove Rev. Aquino from the ministry because the priest’s lawyer had assured him the allegations were false and would be dismissed.

The lawyer later told the bishop that the case had been dismissed. The original case was dismissed, but court records show that Rev. Aquino entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct and was required to fulfill certain obligations.

According to the materials faxed to Bishop McManus by the Las Vegas district attorney, Rev. Aquino was issued a criminal citation on Oct. 21, 2004, by vice squad police officers after he was seen masturbating another man inside the Adult Super Store in that city. He was initially charged with lewd conduct and giving false information, because he gave police officers an incorrect Social Security number, the report said. It also said that he indicated under questioning by police and after pulling his Massachusetts driver’s license from his shoe that he gave wrong information because he was a priest.

Las Vegas court records show that Rev. Aquino was arraigned on Dec. 16 but was not required to be present. No bail was set and the case was continued first to Feb. 10, then to March 10.

At the March session, a written guilty plea was entered in open court for Rev. Aquino, who was not present, to the disorderly conduct charge. He agreed to do 50 hours of community service, obtain counseling and stay out of further trouble. After those conditions were met, the case was dismissed on Sept. 6.

Bishop McManus said he first learned of the incident involving Rev. Aquino in February from the district attorney and church officials. He said he was under the impression charges would be reduced or possibly dismissed.

Mr. Roger said when the case came to his office, he contacted Bishop Joseph A. Pepe of Las Vegas and spoke with a diocesan lawyer. “We have a good working relationship with the diocese here,” he said.

The information was then relayed by the Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas to the Worcester Diocese. “I told them what happened,” the district attorney said of his call to the Las Vegas Diocese. The district attorney said he could not recall if he called the Worcester bishop or if the Worcester bishop called him, but said that they did talk in early February.

“He asked me for the citation and records and I said yes,” Mr. Roger said. The records were faxed to the bishop, he said.

Stephen G. Brady, national president of Roman Catholic Faithful, said yesterday he does not believe Bishop McManus is telling the truth regarding what he knew about Rev. Aquino and the incident in Las Vegas. If he did not know the full scope of what happened in Las Vegas, Mr. Brady said, the bishop did not seem to put much effort into investigating further.

He said he contacted the Worcester Diocese in March and offered to provide information his organization had about what happened in the Las Vegas incident, but never received a call back. Mr. Brady declined to say how RCF obtained the information, but did note that the organization, formed in 1996 and based in Illinois, has built a national network of Catholics who want to get information out about priests and bishops involved in incidents of sexual misconduct.

“I was under the impression by the person who told me about it that there was some fear that Father Aquino was going to get away with this,” he said.

Mr. Brady said he thought that he was doing the bishop and the diocese a favor when he reported the Las Vegas incident to the diocese.

November 1, 2005

Rev. Aquino put on leave

Bishop McManus says alleged act ‘grave scandal’

By Kathleen A. Shaw TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER— The Rev. James J. Aquino, who was arrested by Las Vegas vice squad officers a year ago while allegedly performing a lewd act in an adult store, has been removed from his position as pastor of Our Lady of Loreto parish and as director of the Office of the Diaconate.

Bishop Robert J. McManus said information brought to his attention in the past week about the alleged lewd conduct by Rev. Aquino led to his action, which includes barring the reverend from publicly functioning as a priest.

“From early February until a few days ago, I believed I was in possession of the truth. A few days ago, I realized with deep regret and disappointment that I did not possess the whole truth,” the bishop said in a prepared statement announcing that the priest has been placed on administrative leave. He added that the situation has caused “grave scandal” for the church.

Eight other priests in the Diocese of Worcester have been relieved of their duties after allegations of sexual misconduct since 2002. His actions involving Rev. Aquino mark the first time Bishop McManus, who assumed the bishop’s post in 2004, has had to deal with such an issue.

“I cannot tell you how many good lay people, priests and deacons have been hurt by these events. That’s the nature of scandal in the church. From the calls and communications I have received this week, I know that many are disappointed. They’ve been taught to expect better,” the bishop said.

The recent string of events has shocked parishioners and those who know Rev. Aquino.

John Cosenza of Worcester, a 40-year parishioner of Our Lady of Loreto, said he is saddened by the situation.

“It’s unfortunate, because Father Aquino has been there for so long and has done such a great job,” he said. “He’s so well respected.”

Since the incident in Las Vegas that led to the actions against the priest, he said, the future of the parish has been unclear. He said he would just like to see the whole “mess” straightened out.

“I’ve never been through something like this,” he said. “Our prayers are with the father.”

Frank Myska of Worcester, who’s training to be a deacon, echoed Mr. Cosenza.

“My thoughts and my prayers are going out to him,” he said as he stood outside Our Lady of Loreto last night before the start of a deaconate class. “Part of our religion is that we have to learn about forgiveness.”

He said he has known Rev. Aquino for about three years. He added that his dealings with the priest have been “very professional” and that he’s learned a lot about liturgy from him.

“I wish the best for him,” Deacon Myska said. “I had a lot of respect for him.”

He paused and then added, “I still do.”

Bishop McManus said that he has known of an incident involving Rev. Aquino since last winter, when he received a call from the district attorney in Las Vegas. The bishop said indications at the time were that the charges would be reduced and possibly dismissed.

The bishop said he does not believe law enforcement officers attempt to “lure priests into traps or apply the law unequally to them.”

Rev. Aquino told parishioners last week that he had only been in the Adult Super Store — which sells sexually explicit books, magazines and videos — for a few minutes when Las Vegas police swooped in on him.

“I want you to know that I never, never engaged in any sexual activity of any kind,” the priest told parishioners on Oct. 24.

Monsignor Thomas J. Sullivan celebrated Masses at Our Lady of Loreto Oct. 22 and 23 at the bishop’s request, and advised parishioners of the allegations involving their pastor and told them of the meeting scheduled for Oct. 24 with Rev. Aquino.

By then, copies of the arrest report and court actions from the Justice Court of Las Vegas were posted on the Worcester Voice Web site.

Rev. Aquino and a Las Vegas man were detained by Las Vegas police on Oct. 21, 2004. Bishop McManus said he learned of the situation from civil and church authorities in Las Vegas. The bishop initially said he would leave Rev. Aquino in his position because the priest’s lawyer told him the charges were false and the case had been dismissed.

Daniel E. Dick, victim support coordinator for Worcester Voice of the Faithful, wrote to the bishop after he received copies of the court records and he was given a similar explanation by the bishop.

“I applaud the bishop for the action he has taken,” Mr. Dick said yesterday.

Then the arrest report and court records, which had come from Roman Catholic Faithful and Worcester Voice of the Faithful, went up on the Worcester Voice Web site last week. Worcester Voice is an independent Web site that addresses sexual abuse issues in the Worcester Diocese and is not connected to the diocese or other organizations. Mary T. Jean of Leominster, who operates the Web site, said yesterday she also was pleased with the bishop’s action.

The case was dismissed in the Justice Court in Las Vegas on Sept. 6, after Rev. Aquino pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct at the adult store, did 50 hours of community service, underwent counseling and agreed to stay out of trouble for a year.

He initially was issued a criminal citation for lewd conduct and giving false information to police. According to the arrest report, Rev. Aquino said he did not have an ID on him and gave a Social Security number that proved to be incorrect. Under further questioning by police, he pulled out a Massachusetts driver’s license from his shoe. The photograph showed him wearing clerical garb. He told police that he did not give correct information because he is a priest.

Police officers said they saw Rev. Aquino in the Adult Super Store in full public view masturbating another man for about 30 minutes, police said. That man was also detained and cited.

No Saturday Masses were held throughout the diocese over the weekend because of the Eucharistic Congress at the DCU Center, but the bishop said yesterday that he attended all Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Loreto as celebrant and homilist to explain that he was placing Rev. Aquino on leave. He remained at the church to talk to people and answer questions, according to Raymond L. Delisle, diocesan spokesman.

The bishop yesterday detailed the events of the past year, noting that the Las Vegas incident happened five months before it was brought to his attention. The legal process was under way when he learned of the charges, the bishop said. He was told it involved a reduction of charges and a possibility the charges would be dismissed.

“These facts gave rise to questions about whether misunderstanding had been involved in the initial detainment,” he said.

Bishop McManus said that until recently, he thought his decision to leave Rev. Aquino in his parish was appropriate, based on the legal facts of the case as they were presented to him at that time. “But that has now changed,” the bishop told parishioners on Sunday.

While the canonical process is ongoing, the bishop told parishioners that Rev. Aquino could no longer serve as pastor of the parish. He said Rev. Aquino was aware of the bishop’s action, and knows that he is unable to function publicly as a priest.

The bishop said a “canonical investigation” will be held on this issue. The Roman Catholic Church is internally governed by a body of law called canon law and the church has its own judicial system. The workings of the judicial system are not public.

The Rev. Rocco Piccolomini, Vicar for Priests and secretary to the bishop, is temporary administrator of the parish. Bishop McManus has not yet named a new director for the diaconate program. The training center for education of new deacons is at Our Lady of Loreto, 37 Massasoit Road.

Rev. Aquino, a Worcester native, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1956 and from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vt., in 1960. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, N.Y.

He earned a doctoral degree in education from Boston College in 1979. He formerly taught at Marian High School, Sacred Heart Academy, St. Stephen’s High School in Worcester and at St. Mary’s Central Catholic High School, Milford.

He also served at St. Anne’s parish, Shrewsbury, St. Mary of the Assumption, Milford. He served as diocesan school superintendent from 1980 to 1986 when he resigned to serve as full-time pastor at Our Lady of Loreto. Rev. Aquino, 66, was ordained here in 1965.

Taryn Plumb of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.

October 31, 2005

Fr. James Aquino placed on administrative leave by Worcester Bishop Robert McManus.

Worcester Voice

Fr. James Aquino pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish and Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program has been placed on administrative leave effective this past weekend October 29, 2005 by Worcester Bishop Robert McManus.

Fr. James Aquino had been the subject of a Lewd conducted and obstruction charges in Las Vegas.

October 21, 2004, two undercover Las Vegas police officers, who paid an 8 dollar admission fee, while in an Adult book store and theater, observed Fr. James Aquino engaging in lewd conduct in a place open to the public.

Worcester Bishop McManus had replied earlier in an October 17, 2005 letter to VOTF Victim support coordinator Mr. Daniel Dick,  'It is in light of the above information that I have made my pastoral judgment concerning Fr Aquino being suitability for ministry in the Worcester Dioceses'. Within the Letter was a copy of a letter from Fr Aquino's lawyer which claimed the charges against Fr Aquino were false and subsequently dismissed by the Justice Court of law Vegas.

When reviewed, actual documentation in Fr Aquino's case such as the police citation, police arrest report and Las Vegas court docket there is no evidence Father Aquino was falsely charged.

October 28, 2005

BISHOP MCMANUS CONTINUES TO EVALUATE FATHER AQUINO CASE

By Margaret M. Russell Catholic free press

Worcester-Parishioners of Our lady of Loreto Parish learned about an allegation of sexual impropriety against their pastor Father James Aquion, Sunday during a visit from Msgr. Thomas Sullivan diocesan chancellor.

Msg Sullivan said he celebrated all three weekend Masses at Our Lady of Loreto at the request of Bishop McManus.  He told parishioners that “one year ago an allegation of sexual impropriety wad made regarding Father Aquino-in another state. “He further told parishioners that it was several months before a district attorney in Nevada informed Bishop McManus of the charges and that at the time legal proceedings were already under way in that state.

Msg Sullivan said in a prepared statement that he would not share the particulars about the allegations but that it “does not involve a child or a minor”

Bishop McManus said he gave father Aquino permission to talk to his parish council Monday night about he case.

Bishop McManus said he and Father Aquino had been dealing with the issue confidentially since March when he first learned that Father Aquino had received a citation while vacationing in Las Vegas last year.

“I had no intention to make this a cover-up,” Bishop McManus said  an interview Tuesday.  He called the incident ‘a serious personnel issue” that he will continue to evaluate.

To a church full of people Monday night. Father Aquino called the changes ‘false accusations” He also denied any wrong doing to the bishop.

“A legal process began five month before I was informed” Bishop McManus said in a letter faxed to diocesan priest Tuesday.  He said he learned of the allegation in March from the district attorney in Clark County Nevada.

According to court documents posted on various web sites, a criminal citation was issued to Father Aquino Oct.21, 2004 charging one count of lewd conduct “in a place open to the public” and a second count of obstructing and providing false information to police “in an attempt to hide the identity.”

By the time the Bishop was informed of the charges. The lewd conduct count had been amended to disorderly conduct and Father Aquino had been ordered to do 50 hours of community service and attend counseling to secure dismissal so the charges according to the court documents.

“The judge expected him to let me know,” Bishop Reilly said. “Subsequently, that legal process led me to believe that the charges had been cited as a misdemeanor and that it was dismissed. 

From the point at which I became aware of the matter I have worked closely with Father Aquino and I have expressed my concern for his spiritual and physical well-being.  I have been addressing this matter pastorally and confidentially.  He wrote.

Questions about what allegedly happened in Las Vegas had surfaced on various Web sites sparking media inquires to the diocese, said Raymond Delisle, director of communication for the dioceses.

“I was made aware that the matter had come to the attention of other through various Web sties and that steps had been taken to publicize the matter more widely. 

Thus, no longer able to purse the matter confidentially. I found it prudent to express my concerns to the parishioners of Our Lady of Loreto Parish,” Bishop McManus wrote to the priest.

 “An allegation of sexual impropriety is a serious matter and I have treated it in this fashion.  Nevertheless, I have not asked Father Aquino to resign the parish or his diocesan responsibilities.” The letter continues.  

Father Aquino told parishioner Monday night, “I never, never, never, engaged in any sexual activity of any kind.  I was never arrested.  I was never handcuffed and I was never taken to the police station,” the Telegram & Gazette reported Tuesday. The Catholic Free Press was not invited to nor made aware of the parish meeting.

On Sunday Msgr. Sullivan spoke of the 20-year pastoral ministry of Father Aquino at Our lady of Loreto and his role in building up the diocesan diaconate program.  “My brothers and sisters, we should pray for all those who have surrender to temptation or human weakness.  Indeed the Church which we love asks us to pray for understanding and healing, and the Lord himself asks us to pray for forgiveness,” his statement read.

The bishop concluded his letter to clergy saying, “I assure you that I will continue to investigate the matter, and continue to provide pastoral support for Father Aquino as well as the people of Our Lady of Loreto parish.

“in the spirit of the Gospel this past weekend, our faith compels us to deepen our lover for God and neighbor.  The Lord’s words challenge us to seek love, reconciliation and forgiveness. Please be assure that all our priest are in my thoughts and prayers, as are the parishioners of Our lady of Loreto, and their families, all served by Father Aquino.” 

October 27, 2005

Priests behaving badly

Church hierarchy guilty of hypocrisies

by Diane Williamson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Unfortunately for the Rev. James J. Aquino, what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

But what did happen in Vegas, and why should we care? Well, for starters, priests shouldn’t hide behind bishops and lawyers, bishops shouldn’t condone in private the same conduct they condemn in public, and the Catholic Church really should get its story straight when it comes to bad behavior.

If you believe Rev. Aquino’s extraordinary performance from the pulpit Monday night — remarkably, most of his parishioners seem to — he was an innocent victim of rogue Las Vegas cops who targeted him because he was a priest.

“When they saw my license and saw I was a priest, they asked me if I was Catholic and I said, ‘Yes, I was,’ and that’s when the nightmare began,” he told hundreds of transfixed parishioners at Our Lady of Loreto Church.

If you believe Las Vegas vice squad detectives — unremarkably, the Nevada court seemed to — he was seen masturbating another man for approximately 30 minutes in a pornographic movie theater last October.

“He essentially got caught up in a raid,” said Las Vegas Police Sgt. Chris Jones. “For a person in his position to be caught doing what he did is very embarrassing, so he’s displacing blame. For him to suggest he was targeted is ridiculous. He was caught red-handed. It’s not like we’re hard-pressed in Vegas for business when it comes to this stuff.”

Rev. Aquino asked his flock for forgiveness Monday night but spent most of his hastily arranged mea culpa blaming others, offering bizarre excuses and professing his innocence to adoring parishioners who accepted his account without question, perhaps because they’re weary of scandal or secretly relieved that no children were involved.

I suppose you can’t blame them, but it’s downright weird the way some Catholics continue to drink the Kool-Aid and swallow the hypocrisy of the church hierarchy. Why a standing ovation for a priest accused of providing a hand job in a public place, a priest who, despite supporters’ praise for his “courage” in speaking out, only came forward when the story was all over the Internet and about to break in the local press?

Rev. Aquino was vacationing in Vegas last fall with his friend, Monsignor Louis P. Piermarini, when he told parishioners that he “wasn’t particularly feeling well one day” and went for a “very long” walk. As it happened, he ended up miles away in a “Super Store” with triple Xs in the window and porn inside. Minutes later, according to Rev. Aquino, he was confronted by two undercover vice squad detectives who, much to his surprise, said he was being detained.

Missing from that account was that Rev. Aquino apparently paid $8 to enter a theater in the Super Store where pornographic movies are shown. Also missing is the fact that he gave a false Social Security number to police before eventually producing a driver’s license from his shoe, according to the authorities’ report.

Despite paperwork that clearly shows he bargained the charge of lewd conduct to a lesser offense and was ordered to perform community service and notify his bishop before the charges were dismissed 11 months later, Rev. Aquino and his lawyer spun a ludicrous account that a judge found him innocent.

“Because I was a priest, I had to prove my innocence,” Rev. Aquino said. He then surrendered the microphone to his lawyer, Anthony A. Froio, who downplayed the charges as “just a citation … it had nothing to do with a minor. It sort of looks like a traffic citation, just a flimsy piece of paper you can hardly read.”

Sgt. Jones said the “flimsy” citation was a courtesy extended to Rev. Aquino, who faced arrest for the charges.

“We actually cut him a break,” the sergeant said. “We felt because of who he was and the nonviolent nature of the offense, rather than take him to jail we’d extend him a courtesy.”

This week, a spokesman for Bishop Robert J. McManus said the bishop is taking the matter “very seriously.” Monday night, however, Rev. Aquino’s lawyer said the bishop “has been very supportive” of the priest and “hasn’t seen fit” to discipline him in any way.

The bishop had also seen fit to sweep the charges under the rug, just as the Vatican deems that men who publicly show their homosexuality and reveal an attraction to the gay lifestyle should be refused admission to the clergy. I don’t know how much more public you can get than masturbating another man in a movie theater, but maybe the bishop has adopted a Clintonian view of sex. Or perhaps he’s had his hands full in the town of Westboro, where he swooped unannounced into St. Luke’s Catholic Church last month and took over the Mass after the priests of the parish stated publicly that they don’t support efforts to ban gay marriage.

I guess a bishop must set his own priorities, but it’s awfully sad that he enables one of his priests to dupe loyal parishioners from the pulpit, but comes down quickly on other priests who speak their conscience. And once again, the church continues to fault “clergy hate groups” for “spreading false accusations,” Rev. Aquino told his parishioners.

In Las Vegas, meanwhile, Sgt. Jones said he’s angry that Rev. Aquino is shifting the blame for his behavior onto police.

“This priest clearly knows what he’s done,” said Sgt. Jones. “But rather than answer for it, he’s trying to push the blame on officers who are doing their jobs. His parishioners are obviously good people and want to believe him, but I’d urge them to step back, try to be a little objective and look at the facts. If they still believe him, well, I have to shake my head at that.”

Contact Dianne Williamson by e-mail at dwilliamson@telegram.com.

October 26, 2005

Bishop McManus away from diocese, statement by spokesperson of little substance.

Worcester Voice

In a stunning revelation, Columnist Diane Williamson of the Worcester Telegram reveled today that Fr Aquino was required to pay an admission fee of eight dollars to enter the Las Vegas “Super Store” with triple Xs in the window and porn inside.

Ms Williamson in her investigation was able to speak to the Las Vegas police department who explained about the incident with Fr Aquino.

“He essentially got caught up in a raid,” said Las Vegas Police Sgt. Chris Jones. “For a person in his position to be caught doing what he did is very embarrassing, so he’s displacing blame. For him to suggest he was targeted is ridiculous. He was caught red-handed. It’s not like we’re hard-pressed in Vegas for business when it comes to this stuff.”

Ms Williamson has shinned an entire new light on the circumstances.  Most notably when you are just walking around, "on a long walk" as Fr Aquino stated, you just don't up and pay a eight dollars admission fee. 

The Worcester Voice today will hand deliver a letter for Bishop Robert McManus to the Worcester Dioceses Chancery. 

Contained within the letter is  request for the removal of Fr Jams Aquino, and Bishop McManus to address the faithful as to the severity of these issues. 

October 26, 2005

Bishop taking case seriously

Priest’s account is disputed

By Kathleen A. Shaw TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER— Bishop Robert J. McManus, despite initially having been told that the Rev. James J. Aquino was the victim of false accusations, is taking seriously the priest’s admission that he was initially charged with lewd conduct in an adult store in Las Vegas last year.

“There’s no question he’s taking this very seriously,” said Raymond L. Delisle, diocesan spokesman. The bishop has not changed his decision to leave Rev. Aquino in his positions as pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Church and director of the diocesan diaconate program, Mr. Delisle said.

According to Las Vegas police, undercover police officers issued a criminal citation to the priest after seeing him masturbating another man for 30 minutes in the Adult Super Store.

Rev. Aquino told several hundred of his parishioners at his church Monday night that he had made a “very stupid mistake” by entering the store, but that he “never engaged in any sexual activity of any kind.” He said he spent only 5 to 10 minutes in the store before he was approached by two men who identified themselves as police and told him to follow them to the parking lot. There he was detained, but never arrested or taken to the police station, he said.

Bishop McManus last week said he learned of the Las Vegas incident earlier this year but was advised by Rev. Aquino’s lawyer that the allegations were false and were later dismissed by the Justice Court.

However, court records, verified yesterday by a court spokeswoman in Las Vegas, show the case was dismissed after Rev. Aquino pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, did community service, sought counseling and stayed out of trouble. He was initially charged with lewd conduct and giving false information to a police officer.

The bishop said last week that in light of information provided by Rev. Aquino’s lawyer, Rev. Aquino would continue in ministry and continue to head the diaconate program. Mr. Delisle said yesterday he could not say more about the bishop’s response to the latest revelations contradicting the priest’s explanation, except that the bishop was taking the situation seriously.

Stephen G. Brady, president of a group called the Roman Catholic Faithful, notified Patricia O’Leary Engdahl, who formerly headed the diocesan Office for Healing and Prevention, of the charges against Rev. Aquino in an e-mail sent on March 10.

He said Ms. Engdahl replied that she had sent his e-mail to Rev. Aquino and that she also told Bishop McManus about it. “He has spoken with the civil authorities in Las Vegas. The bishop is appropriately addressing the matter,” she said in her reply, according to Mr. Brady. Daniel E. Dick of Worcester, victim support coordinator for Worcester Voice of the Faithful, brought the information about Rev. Aquino to the bishop’s attention. In an Oct. 17 letter to Mr. Dick, the bishop quoted Rev. Aquino’s lawyer as writing to the bishop that the lawyer “cannot and will not divulge matters of a confidential nature, which affect innocent, honest individuals.”

According to the bishop’s quotation, the lawyer said, however, that he was aware of the alleged incident “and have investigated the facts and circumstances associated with it.” The bishop’s letter to Mr. Dick said that the lawyer had written that the charges made against Rev. Aquino were false and “subsequently dismissed” by the court.

Mr. Dick said he cannot understand how a bishop could accept a lawyer’s assessment when the arrest report said that both men were issued criminal citations. Mary T. Jean of Leominster, who operates the Web site of Worcester Voice, was critical of Rev. Aquino for telling parishioners that the Catholic organizations that worked to get the information out to the public were “priest-hating.” A lifelong Catholic, Ms. Jean said she does not hate priests. She said her issue is safety of children and acting against clergy misconduct.

The court documents were posted on her site at www.worcestervoice.com. Established in 2002, the site deals only with allegations of clergy misconduct in the Worcester diocese.
 

October 25, 2005

Catholic activist: Worcester priest is lying
By Matt C. Abbott, MichNews.com

October 25, 2005

Rev. Aquino delivers apology

Vegas sexual actions denied

By Mark Melady TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER— The Rev. James Aquino, pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish and former superintendent of Catholic schools, stood on the church altar last night and told parishioners he had made a “very stupid mistake” by entering a sex store in Las Vegas but denied having sex with anyone despite being charged with lewd conduct.

“I want you to know,” he told several hundred parishioners gathered at the Massasoit Road church, “that I never, never, never engaged in any sexual activity of any kind. I was never arrested, I was never handcuffed and I was never taken to the police station.”

Rev. Aquino, 66, was given a standing ovation from the parishioners and was later praised as a compassionate, energetic priest, “the best pastor we’ve ever had,” in the words of one woman.

He acknowledged receiving a citation for lewd conduct, obstructing and providing false information on Oct. 21, 2004, while vacationing in Las Vegas with Monsignor Louis P. Piermarini, calling the charges “false accusations.”

After a nearly 11-month continuance, the charges were dismissed Sept. 6 in the Justice Court of Las Vegas during which Rev. Aquino met several conditions, including counseling and 50 hours of community service.

“It’s done, it’s finished, everything’s behind me. It’s over,” Rev. Aquino said.

He said he was ordered to keep quiet about the incident by Bishop Robert J. McManus and his lawyer but took to the altar last night because “I wanted to speak to my people personally. I wanted to clear my name.”

Anthony A. Froio, Rev. Aquino’s lawyer, called the citation “like a traffic ticket.”

Speaking from the altar, Mr. Froio said Rev. Aquino had adamantly refused an offer from the prosecutor to drop the charge from lewd conduct to disorderly conduct. A police document posted on three Web sites of groups monitoring the Catholic priest sex scandal said two undercover detectives witnessed Rev. Aquino masturbating another man for 30 minutes, “where (store) patrons could observe.”

The Web sites posting the police and court documents are the Worcester Voice of the Faithful, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and an Illinois group called RCF — the Roman Catholic Faithful.

Rev. Aquino labeled the groups “priest-hating” and said they were interested only in bringing down a priest and a bishop.”

Last week Las Vegas police officials denied a Telegram & Gazette request for the police report, claiming it was not a public record.

According to the police document posted on the Web sites, Rev. Aquino first gave the detectives a false Social Security number before pulling a Massachusetts driver’s license from his shoe. The license showed him wearing a priest collar.

Mr. Froio said the police became more acutely interested in Rev. Aquino once they knew he was a priest. “Fifteen others were detained at the store that day,” he said. Most paid a $250 fine “and that was the end of that.”

Mr. Froio said the counselling condition was met when Rev. Aquino underwent a week of “rigorous, invasive testing” at a site in Maryland. He said he fulfilled his community service by visiting the dying in nursing homes.

“He made a very big mistake by entering the sex store,” Mr. Froio said. “I don’t think he’ll ever do it again.”

Bishop McManus said last week that he was advised earlier this year of “an incident” involving Rev. Aquino that happened in Las Vegas. He said he was advised by the priest’s lawyer that the allegations made against Rev. Aquino were false and were later dismissed by the Justice Court in Las Vegas. The bishop was told that Rev. Aquino was never arrested but was issued a citation on an alleged misdemeanor. The bishop was told the case is now closed.

“In light of the above information, Father James Aquino has continued in his ministry in the Diocese of Worcester as pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Worcester and as the director of the Diaconate Program. However, this is clearly a serious personnel matter, particularly in light of our Code of Conduct issued in the past year, and it continues to be examined closely,” the bishop said. The Code of Conduct, which the bishop issued a year ago, states that priests and bishops cannot even give the appearance of impropriety.

Rev. Aquino has been at Our Lady of Loreto for 20 years. He directs the Office of the Diaconate, the diocese’s deacon training program and was once superintendent of Catholic schools.

He began his remarkable discourse, kneeling and facing the altar to say the “Hail Mary” which he said embraced sin and sorrow.

“I stand here before you sinful and sorrowful,” Rev. Aquino said.

He said “a very long walk” led him to the Adult Super Store, 3850 W. Tropicana St.

Rev. Aquino said he spent only “five to 10 minutes” in the store when two men approached him, identified themselves as police and told him to follow them to the parking lot where they told he was being detained.

“I said ‘For what?’ and began to argue with them,” Rev. Aquino said. “No one was going to take me away when I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

He said he was ordered by Bishop McManus not to participate in church services over the weekend, an order he reluctantly followed.

Rev. Aquino ended his talk with a prayer and retreated to the front of the church, where he greeted the parishioners “just as I do every Sunday.”

Many embraced and kissed the priest and later generously praised him.

“He’s such a good man,” said Lisa Cosenza.

Her husband, John Cosenza, said, “We’re behind him 100 percent.”

Jean Morse lauded Rev. Aquino for publicly admitting his mistake. “It took tremendous courage,” she said. “I’m proud of him.”

Dianne Potenti said Rev. Aquino is a dynamic pastor. “He’s done a lot for our church,” she said. “We love him.”

On the advice of his lawyer, Rev. Aquino did not talk to the press last night. Today he expects to resume the Florida vacation he interrupted to speak about the incident.

Reporter Kathleen A. Shaw of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.

October 21, 2005

Pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Fr James Aquino, subject of lewd conduct incident in Las Vegas. 

Today one year anniversary

Worcester Voice

Fr. James Aquino pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish and Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program (training for new deacons) is allowed to stay in ministry after October 21, 20004 sexual incident.

October 21, 2004, two undercover Las Vegas police officers, while in an Adult book store and theater, observed one Larry xxxx and Fr. James Aquino engaging in lewd conduct in a place open to the public (Arrest Report#1920773).

This information was furnished to Bishop Robert McManus in March 2005 by the The Roman Catholic Faithful. In their summer 2005 publication, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (page 8) the story of Fr Aquino was released. 

The two men were seen masturbating each other without concealing it in a place open to the public. Both men were escorted outside. Aquino said he had no identification on him - checks were run on a fake social security number furnished by Aquino, with negative results.

After a few minutes he admitted he had identification in his shoe, a Massachusetts driver’s license. The picture reflected Aquino in a Roman collar, and he admitted he gave false information because he was a priest.

Fr. James Aquino was cited for Lewd Conduct, Obstructing and False Information.

Mr. Daniel Dick of the Worcester VOTF, sent a letter to Bishop McManus dated September 30, 2005.  In this letter Mr. Dick writes, this report was sent to me by a Stephen Brady, a board member of the Roman Catholic Faithful, Inc. in Petersburg, Illinois. I gather that, from copies of e-mails sent to me, that you have already received this information, that you have contacted the civil authorities in Las Vegas and that Rev. Aquino has also been informed of this exchange.

Mr. Dick in closing questioned why the Worcester Diocesan Directory shows Rev. James J. Aquino as both pastor and director of the diaconate program while this matter appears to be unresolved.

Bishop McManus replied to Mr. Dick on October 17, 2005.  Bishop McManus shocking letter includes a copy of a response from Fr Agunio's attorney. The Attorney states he can not divulge matter of confidential nature, which affects innocent, honest individuals.  Further the lawyer replies Fr Aquino was not arrested by rather issued a citation.  The lawyer projects that the charges were dismissed, by the Justice court of Las Vegas, however in review of actual court documents a plea bargain was arranged with the court by Father Aqunio's counsel. 

The first charge of Lewd conduct was reduced to disorderly conduct. To which the court document records a plea of guilty per written entry. Fr Aquino was order to seek therapy, conduct 50 hours of community service as well as to stay out of trouble for one year, no arrest. Adjudication withheld.

Count 2 obstruction/ false information to be dismissed after requirements of count 1 completed.

Bishop McManus further indicates due to the lawyers reply he has made a pastoral judgment that Father Aquino is suitable for ministry in the Worcester dioceses.

The Code of Ministerial Conduct which took effect October 8, 2004 in the Diocese of Worcester under Standards for Integrity in Ministry, A. Sexual Conduct, declares, Church personnel must not exploit the trust placed in them by the faith community. Clergy, religious, staff, and volunteers who are committed to a celibate lifestyle are called to be an example of celibate chastity in all relationships at all times.

A priest that travels to Las Vegas, enters an adult book store, masturbates another male with his identification hidden in his shoe certainly has violated the code of ministerial conduct that the the Worcester diocese projects to enforce. 

Mr. Dick stated Thursday night, "once the parish knows about it and Bishop McManus's false misrepresentation is made obvious to the people in the dioceses, that will be all that is necessary, the situation will take care of itself".

For Bishop McManus to express a plain out and out misrepresentation of actual facts twisted in his view is sinful.  With the release of these court documents comes the sad understanding that Bishop McManus will lie to his flock, and will cover the trail of those priest who are engaged in sexual misconduct. 

Perhaps now Worcester District Attorney John J. Conte who gave the Worcester Diocese a free legal pass regarding clergy sexual abuse and the covering up of such can see why so many are outraged by his lack of legal action to protect the honorable Catholics and their children of Worcester.

The Worcester Voice

Most Reverend Robert McManus

Diocese of Worcester

Office of the Bishop

49 Elm Street

Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 

October 27, 2005

Dear Bishop McManus,

The information you presented to Mr. Daniel Dick of VOTF in your October 17, 2005 letter were not truthfully reflective of actual facts in regards to Fr. James Aquino, pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish and Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program.

As the documents speak for themselves, Fr. James Aquino for the good of the Faithful must be removed from his current dutiesWe implore you Bishop McManus as a man of God to kneel before the Dioceses of Worcester and God and pray for forgiveness. As your sins have destroyed the faith in God you pledge to represent.

One in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Mary T. Jean