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Church leaders support 'redeemed' priest; others want him out
Local Catholics speak out on designated leader's 1999 indecent behavior arrest

by Jeb Bing

Church leaders are speaking out in support of a newly-designated parish leader for the Catholic Community of Pleasanton after members of a nationally-affiliated group protested his appointment because of an arrest for indecent exposure eight years ago.

Joey Piscitelli, Northern California Director for an organization called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said the Rev. Padraig Greene was arrested in Oakland March 2, 1999 for lewd sexual conduct at a sports facility frequented by children. Piscitelli said Greene admitted to the conduct and spent six months in a rehabilitation center in St. Louis.

Greene was recently named by Bishop Allen Vigneron of the Catholic Diocese of Oakland to succeed the Rev. Dan Danielson, longtime parish leader of the Catholic Community, which includes St. Augustine and St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic churches in Pleasanton. Danielson is scheduled to continue celebrating Mass for parishioners through the Christmas holidays, and to officially turn his duties as Parochial Administrator over to Greene on Jan. 1.

Piscitelli and several others distributed fliers last Sunday at St. Augustine, saying they wanted to "warn parishioners" about Greene.

"Our concern is that a man with a history of this kind of behavior is not the best choice to lead a community as pastor of both Catholic churches in Pleasanton and have access to children," Piscitelli said. "This information should be known to parents in the community and awareness is always the best tool to combat the potential danger of sex offenses to innocent children in Pleasanton."

But Danielson said SNAP's fliers were misleading.

"This is a group of people who are survivors of clergy child sexual abuse and they often view the clergy and the church through their own painful difficult experiences," Danielson said. "This is understandable but it can lead to a misinterpretation of the facts."

According to Danielson, when Greene was arrested there were no children or minors involved, nor were there any nearby at the time. Only the police officer who observed this behavior and subsequently arrested Greene was present. Upon completion of therapy, the charges were dismissed by the court. Greene, who came here from Ireland, became associate pastor in Pleasanton after completing his therapy, and served here for five years, before being reassigned to ministry in the diocese since that time.

"The Diocese of Oakland holds as one of its highest concerns the protection and safety of children and all parishioners and is confident in the ministry Fr. Greene will continue to bring to the people of Pleasanton," Bishop Vigneron said.

Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Pastoral Transition Team for the Catholic Community here, added:

"An overwhelming majority of the leaders of the Catholic Community of Pleasanton are in full and loving support of Fr. Padraig Greene at this time. This is a very difficult time for our parish, but our church teaches forgiveness and redemption. Many believe he is going to be a fantastic pastor for our community."

Sandra Ryan of Pleasanton agreed.

"I've been in the parish for 17 years and was here when Fr. Greene came for five years of service," she said. "He's a wonderful priest and provided outstanding ministry. Besides being a psychologist, he is also very spiritual and creative in presenting religious issues to our community."

But at least one parishioner--Theresa Aimar--strongly disagrees. In emails to the media and others, she is calling for Greene to "step down and save Pleasanton's unity."

"For the sake of the Catholic Church's reputation and to save the unity of Pleasanton's Catholic Community, please step down," Aimar stated in an email to the Pleasanton Weekly. "This is just going to go on and on and on. The concerned parishioners will not stop until they get a pastor who doesn't have a past sexual offense erased and then hidden from them. The other half of the Catholic community will fight to keep you for all of your hard work. The damage is done. The divide is strong. The fight is mounting. I don't want friends to stake sides and it is already happening."

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Posted by grandma, a member of the Amador Valley High School community, on Nov 16, 2007 at 9:21 pm

Catholic leaders should be accountable and respectful of their local cities. Law breakers should serve their punishments. Exorsisms, worshiping idols and icons, and placing deviates with the congregation may be the wishes of a few church leaders, but they should respect and abide by the standards of the neighborhoods. I saw Cardinal Mahoney on C-Span,last month, say he had no intention of obeying any immigration laws. Whether Pope, Cardinal, or church janitor they are expected to abide by all the laws of society which include laws pertaining to sexual deviants or illegal immigrants. Maybe our government should reconsider the church's tax exempt status, if they don't respect laws of our government.

Posted by Pat Stott, a resident of the Stoneridge neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2007 at 4:11 pm

I wonder how involved some of these offended members of CCOP. Are they in any of the ministries at the church? Do they support the church? Or are they ones that go to church on Sunday and you never see them helping out at St Vincent de Paul, having their children in the choir or altar servers, or in any of the ministries of the mass.

They are quick to judge, but what's in their background that would pass any investigation.

Posted by Jeb Bing, editor of the Pleasanton Weekly, on Nov 18, 2007 at 4:26 am
Jeb Bing is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

(Note: Posts are being edited by the Pleasanton Weekly Online staff to remove innuendos, hearsay or specific accusatory information unsupported by facts. Police reports or other official statements regarding this issue will be reported in our ongoing news stories on the Rev. Padraig Greene and the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, but not by postings on our Town Square Forum where we cannot be certain of the source.)

Posted by Dominique Peytraud, a resident of another community, on Nov 19, 2007 at 12:12 am

I think this whole commotion around the new catholic church leader is totally irrelevant to the community and the times. Padraig Greene is one of the most spiritual persons I know, with a heart of gold, a deep love for his fellowmen, and a profound desire to be of service in uniting them with God. During his past tenure in Pleasanton he installed many needed new ministries which have brought solace and understanding to a vast body of people. He certainly has a vision for this community, maybe gained from his so called "mistake" and subsequent innerwork. He is perfect for the job.

May the one who has never sinned throw the first stone?

It is surely time for all of us also ( maybe that is why we rant and rave) to examine our own "mistakes", learn from them, forgive ourselves and move on toward a greater community of people in God's grace.

Dominique Peytraud

Posted by aaron, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Nov 21, 2007 at 10:26 am

don't let him into our community. he is sick.

Posted by Will B. Herd, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Nov 25, 2007 at 10:55 am

Take action and influence a new choice for pastor:

1. Give to other charities - Donations speak the loudest. Until the decision to name another pastor is made redirect your weekly church donation to other local charities not associated with the Diocese of Oakland.

2. Volunteer your time to other causes - Your time is valuable and you should spend it with organizations whose leaders you admire. Refusing to carry on with any volunteer work you perform as if nothing has changed and making the conscience choice to donate your time elsewhere will be noticed.

3. Unregister from the parish - Taking your name off the parish roll and refusing to have your family name associated with an organization you do not agree with is an easy, yet powerful statement. Other churches in the area are: St. Raymond Parish in Dublin and St. Charles Borromeo Parish and St. Michael Parish in Livermore. These parishes are part of the Diocese of Oakland, so give to other local charities instead until a new paster is assigned to CCOP.

Posted by Jeb Bing, editor of the Pleasanton Weekly, on Nov 27, 2007 at 10:40 am
Jeb Bing is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

This topic has run its course. Thanks for posting. Jeb Bing