Hi Everyone –

In the last update, I shared the email communications I had directly with Bishop Kulick in which he offered to meet with Immaculate Conception and Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioners individually at the Pastoral Center, rather than meeting with us collectively at Queen of Angels auditorium, as he had on May 28, 2024.  It was on that date that he announced Fr. John Moineau’s forced resignation over the Bishop’s false conspiracy accusations.

Beginning the week of February 10th, the Bishop’s office called multiple people and invited them to meet with the Bishop and Cliff Gorski, the head of communications for the diocese.  Three (3) parties had accepted this offer to date, and two met with the Bishop and Mr. Gorski on February 19th.

Below are separate email messages from two of the parties that had meetings.   These individuals equally love Fr. John, and equally love Immaculate Conception parish, but you will see that their perspectives are quite different.   I’m respectfully sharing them both to you.

Thanks again, rgrds, chris

Chris Peta

412-916-8030

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email from an IC Parishioner who met at 2/19/25, 8:00AM with Bishop Kulick and Cliff Gorski

This morning, I met with the Bishop and Cliff Gorski in Greensburg for just over an hour and fifteen minutes.  Based on my experience, my recommendation is to not accept the meeting request.  This is because the Bishop is firmly entrenched in the belief that what he has done is acceptable, maybe even merciful (he actually said this), and the slightest hint of pushback by me resulted in an awkward pause or a changing of topics.  Here are some of the highlights from today’s meeting:

1. Bishop Kulick called those not in lockstep with him “agents of division”.  My response was that the pastor he assigned to our parish has been the chief agent of division due to his complete unwillingness and disinterest in helping the parishes heal.  Bishop Kulick said he will “take this under close advisement”, after he gave a long explanation about how the pastor has low morale and feels defeated.

2. Bishop Kulick stated that the case against Shon Harrity is particularly difficult because of all the pressure in the Norwin community that resulted in the girl recanting her accusations.  I disputed and repeatedly stated that the Bishop’s/Diocese’s presentation of this being an open and shut case was factually incorrect.  Cliff didn’t appear to understand the word “Prosecution” when I said that the Prosecution continues to ask for continuances with regards to this case.   He said “it’s what his (Harrity’s) lawyers want”, and I had to correct him, saying “no, it’s the Prosecution, not the Defense, that has continually asked for continuances”.  

3. The Bishop said that Fr. John is banned from Irwin parishes as part of his penance for his failures.  When pressed, they said he could not be involved in a celebration here because the victims live here.  I said that it’s an “alleged victim” and then they changed the goal post to be Harrity’s “victims” from the early 2000s.  

I later asked about a farewell mass for Fr. John that could help to bring closure to the situation with the parishes.  The Bishop’s response was  “This will give a sense of victory to you”.

Cliff Gorski responded  “If we bring him in for a farewell mass, then we will have to let him have funerals, and weddings, and then what?

I responded “So what? This is pretty standard”.

The Bishop added about how when he was a priest and was transferred, he would ensure that he didn’t come back.

I asked  “Did you have a farewell mass at each place?”

The Bishop responded “yes, I did”.

4. The Bishop is planning to at least threaten the removal of ministries from anyone that has emailed him in disagreement, participated in the billboards and yard signs, or made him mad in any way.  

5. Only three people have accepted a meeting with the bishop, and he complained that no one will talk with him.  

6. I asked Bishop Kulick very directly how they expect to rectify the situation, and they did not have an answer.  In fact, they said they didn’t know how to fix the situation.  I stated that since they refuse to consider any of the possible solutions offered, they should not expect anything to change. 

7. When discussing the May 28th meeting at Queen of Angels School, they defended it saying it was okay because Father John asked to be there for it.

8. The June 7th diocesan Youtube video was, according to them, 100% Fr. John’s words, and not scripted.

9. They brought up Charles Quiggle, and said that he was included in the canonical investigation of Fr. John.  I asked if they went all the way down to Florida to speak with him in his jail cell.  They did not answer but instead talked about how they did an audit of his emails.  When I said that Quiggle proves that everything they are doing is for show and doesn’t do anything to protect children, they disagreed and said that Quiggle’s clearances were perfect when he was employed by the diocese.  I said that regardless of what his clearances said, they didn’t prevent a crime, and we don’t know what he really did while he was employed in the diocese.  I said that it is extremely unlikely that he decided to become a pedophile at the age of 70, when he was convicted.

10. The Bishop said that there is so much pressure in the Norwin community that no one can become pro-Fr. Mike.  I said that nobody can become pro-Fr. Mike because he has not made an effort since arriving, that he does not show up to events, and generally is unfriendly.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email from an IC Parishioner and Spouse who met at 2/19/25, 11:00AM with Bishop Kulick and Cliff Gorski

We are one of the couples who received an invitation from Bishop Kulick to meet with him to discuss the situation at Immaculate Conception and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes. It seems that our experience was different from some others who have responded.

Before I get into how the meeting was, allow me to say that we asked Bishop Kulick upon arrival the nature of our meeting and how it came to be that we were invited to a meeting. (We are nobody special)

After he answered our 2 questions, we told him that our intention was to discuss healing within our parish and our bishop and Cliff whole heartily agreed. And that was exactly what was discussed. Our discussion was serious, lively, open and raw with what was said. No one held back anything that needed said and the others listened with respect. Both feelings and thoughts were expressed in passionate, honest, and respectful ways and without judgement.

And we all agreed that healing needs to take place at Immaculate Conception and Saint Elizabeth Parishes. Were any of us able to offer a fool-proof path to reconciliation? No. Were any of us able to offer the perfect script to who should say what to whom? No. Were any of us able to provide answers on how to deal with all the hurt? No. Were any of us in agreement to put our differences aside, focus on Jesus, and work together for the greater good? Yes. Do we all love Father John? Yes. Do we all invite him to join us in our struggle to heal? Yes.

2025 years ago, Jesus stood on the hills overlooking Jerusalem and wept for that city. Today, Jesus is looking at Irwin with tears in His eyes. Let’s forgive, as Jesus taught us, as we pray in the “Our Father”, which is the only prayer that was taught by Him. Let’s make amends, as sometimes forgiveness needs action and a process to unfold. Let’s remember that we need a church and that we are privileged to live in a country that protects our places of worship.

Let me be clear… our hearts are our true places of worship. When we take our hearts to “church’, it is an opportunity to share with others our love and commitment to God. Yes, our commitment to God. We have one. And that is to do all we can to make this world a better place to live by following what God asks of us: Love Him, Love others, Forgive all.

Was our meeting today with Bishop Kulick and Cliff perfect? No. And do you want to know why? Because we are not perfect. There is no way imperfect people can come together and be perfect. But if we can agree to focus on a common goal, amazing grace can be released, and healing will come.

We are looking forward to that day.