The Rev. Stan Strycharz fathered a child, the Diocese of Venice confirmed Thursday. Strycharz, who was pastor at St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, was placed on administrative leave July 23 by Bishop Frank Dewane.A letter dated Tuesday and sent to parishioners from Richard and Maureen Schulze, co-chairs of the church's building campaign, provides a statement made by Dewane after the 10 a.m. Mass on July 25 at St. Leo:
"I don't know if Fr. Stan has ever talked to you, he does have a child and it's very much in this vein that my concerns are, and have been, and many of the faithful here in this parish have brought concerns to me."
Diocese of Venice spokesman Bob Reddy confirmed the bishop's July 25 statement.
The diocese is reviewing complaints from parishioners about Strycharz breaking his vows of celibacy and questioning his obedience to the bishop as well as financial matters.
Strycharz also sent a letter to parishioners, dated Monday. In it, he states the parish books and financial records have been audited.
"While there have been recommendations made by the diocese, we have never been called out for any wrongdoing," the priest wrote.
"Additionally, I have always supported my bishops and done my best to live and worship in accordance with the teachings of our Catholic faith."
An independent firm is conducting a review of five years' worth of parish records.
The Schulzes wrote that Dewane had known about Strycharz's child for two years and accepted that Strycharz wished to serve God as a parish priest. Reddy said he could not confirm how long Dewane has known Strycharz has a child.
"We believe that Father Stan has always served St. Leo's, along with the community of Bonita Springs wholeheartedly," the Schulzes wrote.
Parishioner Beverly Gentile was flabbergasted after receiving their letter.
"If he broke his priestly orders, he should be excommunicated from the church," she said. "We can't be letting everything slide because he's a likable guy."Parishioner and church volunteer Barbara Boocher still supports Strycharz.
"I was extremely pleased to hear from Father Stan, to know that he's all right, and that his letter just verifies what we hoped he was up to, still his strong Catholic faith," she said.
"I don't have any concern in the least that any wrongdoing happened to the money that we donated."
Strycharz, who became pastor of St. Leo in 2005, oversaw a recent $21 million church expansion. St. Leo expanded from 900 to 1,500 seats in 2009 and is building a $12 million parish life and education center.
A native of Poland, Strycharz has been a priest since May 1991. He was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Venice and attended Orchard Lake Seminary in Detroit. Strycharz served at the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice and at San Marco Church on Marco Island before coming to Bonita.
Strycharz continues to receive full salary and benefits, including residence, but is not allowed to perform public ministry or be on the parish grounds.
The Right Rev. Stephen McNamara is acting as St. Leo's administrator.SIC: NP