A bit more…
Stravinskas, a noted Catholic author and defender of the faith’s traditions, is not a priest of the Omaha Archdiocese. Technically, he is a priest of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, although he has not served there for many years.
Curtiss brought Stravinskas to Omaha from Pennsylvania. As a priest from another diocese, Stravinskas serves at the invitation of the local bishop.
Curtiss declined to be interviewed. He said through the Rev. Gregory Baxter, chancellor of the archdiocese, that he would have no comment until after the Omaha police complete their investigation.
Reached by telephone at St. Anthony’s rectory, Stravinskas declined to comment on Curtiss’ report to fellow clerics or the police investigation.
The St. Anthony issue came up in a May 3 meeting Curtiss had with more than 20 archdiocesan priests. Curtiss’ remarks about having told Stravinskas that he needs to locate in another diocese were included in meeting minutes that have circulated in the archdiocese. The minutes did not mention when Stravinskas might leave Omaha.
The minutes also said that Curtiss told the priests, “Internal audit suggests there was poor bookkeeping but no theft.”
“The archbishop thinks that this matter will be dropped,” the minutes said. “There are no criminal charges filed.”
Jennifer Timmins, a member of St. Anthony’s parish council who launched a Web site in his defense, said she didn’t know if Stravinskas will leave but hopes he doesn’t.
“Do we want him to leave? Absolutely not,” Timmins said. “Do we think he’s innocent? Absolutely yes. Father Stravinskas does what he preaches. He teaches solid Catholic doctrine and dogma, and he also provides the example. He’s a good, holy Catholic priest.”
For nearly two months Omaha Police Department detectives have been investigating other parishioners’ report of alleged embezzlement of parish funds. Among other things, they served three search warrants March 30 on the St. Anthony’s rectory and archdiocesan offices, seizing records and a computer, and gaining access to the computer’s contents.
No charge has been filed.
