As Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre you have repeatedly made public statements about not permitting any priest to work in pastoral ministry for whom there has been a credible allegation of sexual abuse. In the past three years, for example, you have stated the following:

• "Finally I institutionalized the change I made earlier that a priest who cannot work with minors cannot work in pastoral ministry."
• "These procedures are serving us well and reflect our commitment that there is no priest or deacon about whom a credible allegation has been made who is currently serving in any pastoral ministry in this diocese."
• "No priest of our Diocese about whom there have been allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor, that were shown to be credible as determined by the Diocesan Review Board is working as a priest in our diocese or as far as we know, any other."

• Some time ago, we reported to the Diocese that Monsignor Placa had been observed on several occasions performing public ministry in this Diocese at various parishes. Mrs. Eileen Puglisi, the Director of Child and Youth Protection, eventually told us that in unusual circumstances you gave occasional permission to Monsignor Placa to say Mass.
• As of last week, the name of Monsignor Placa appears under the heading of Pastoral Staff on the front page of the St Aloysius Parish bulletin and on www.staloysiusgn.org. Could this have occurred without your approval?

How can you justify such actions? How do you reconcile these actions with your assurances to the Catholic community on Long Island that you are concerned with the well being of children? Additionally, as you know, Alan Placa is considered to be the lead architect of the policies that protected pedophiles in this diocese.

It saddens us, but we must tell you that your words of assurance to the people of the Diocese of Rockville Centre are not supported by your actions, and show an attitude of disregard and even disrespect for the people you claim to shepherd.