Press Releases
January, 2004

New Year's Day Mass celebrates 200th anniversary of Haitian independence

In defense of life, Bishop will lead Rosary procession to Bridgeport abortion clinic

Independent Audit Finds Diocese of Bridgeport in "Total Compliance" with Dallas Charter

Obituary: Reverend Monsignor Andrew T. Cusack, 71

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week, 2004

Diocese of Bridgeport issues statement on former seminarian

Stamford parish signs historic agreement to lease property for office tower; revenues will endow church and help the needy in Fairfield County

BRIDGEPORT – On Thursday, January 1, New Year’s Day, Bishop William E. Lori will preside at a Mass marking the 200th anniversary of the independence of Haiti. In keeping with the themes of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee Year, the Mass, to be held at 2 p.m. at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, 391 Ogden Street, Bridgeport, not only honors Haitian Independence Day, but also recognizes the Haitian contribution to the family of faith in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Accredited members of the media are welcome to attend.

Richness of Diversity

“I am repeatedly struck by the richness of the diversity of our diocese,” says Bishop Lori. “The Haitian community is the second largest, after Hispanics, and their faith and devotion enliven parishes throughout Fairfield County.”

Bishop Lori made a pilgrimage to Haiti in February 2001. He visited clinics and schools, and saw the powerful sculpture of a former slave in Independence Square, which memorializes the successful slave revolt in 1804 against French overlords.

“It was a moving symbol of the aspiration Haitian people for freedom,” he recalls. “I returned with a renewed affection for the Haitian people, and an appreciation of their tremendous faith.”

Three Decades in Fairfield County

The Haitian presence in this diocese spans nearly three decades. The earliest Haitian community was established in the Stamford area. In acknowledgement of that history, Father Marcel St. Jean, parochial vicar of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Riverside, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass.

Father Jean Ridly Julien, director of the Haitian-American Catholic Center in Stamford, who was in charge of organizing the Mass, will be the homilist. The Mass will be concelebrated by Father Jean-Rony Philippe, parochial vicar of Saint Charles, and Father G. Franz Desruisseaux, parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish in South Norwalk and episcopal vicar of Haitians for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

“This is a very important anniversary,” says Father Julien. “Haiti was the first Black country in the world to become independent.” It was also the first in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States, to achieve independence from a European power.

All Welcome

The voices of the combined Haitian choirs from Saint Charles and Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Stamford will animate the celebration. A reception will follow.

The Jubilee Mass, although principally in French Creole, will be bilingual. “We would be very happy to have anyone in the diocese join us,” says Father Ridly. “You are all welcome.”

(For more information on the Mass of Haitian Independence, call Father Julien: 406-0343; Father Desruisseaux, 838-4171; or Father Philippe, 333-2147.)

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Back to Breaking News

BRIDGEPORT – As the New Year begins, Bishop William E. Lori will lead an observance highlighting one of the greatest tragedies of the modern era, and emphasizing the power of prayer in the face of iniquity.

On Saturday, January 3, Bishop Lori will celebrate a Pro-Life Mass at 8:15 a.m. at Saint Peter Parish, 695 Colorado Avenue, Bridgeport. Following Mass, the faithful will re-assemble at the Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, at 9:30 a.m. for a Rosary procession to the nearby Summit Women’s Center on Main Street. With a police escort, the faithful will pray the Rosary with their bishop as they walk the three blocks to the center.

“In an age when evil masquerades as good, it is time for us to turn to God, and beseech His mercy upon our country,” Bishop Lori says, inviting all Catholics to join him to pray for a restoration of a culture of life.

"A Silent Holocaust"

“The abortion mill is scheduled to be open that morning,” says Father Greg J. Markey, administrator of Saint Mary Parish in Norwalk, who is very active in the pro-life movement. The center performs about 20 to 30 abortions a week.

“We can call it a silent holocaust, going on right in front of our eyes, leaving women and men terribly wounded,” says Father Markey.

For many years, faithful Catholics have joined members of other churches in prayerful witness outside this clinic, hoping to persuade young women not to enter its doors. Two years ago, in January 2001, when the Summit Women’s Center was located on Middle Street in downtown Bridgeport, Bishop Lori stood on the sidewalk and prayed the Rosary with more than 150 people. An even greater number is expected on January 3.

March for Life
January 22 marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Rowe v. Wade, which, in effect, made abortion on demand the law of the land. The annual March for Life has been held each year on that date in Washington, D.C.

This past November, President George Bush signed into law a ban on partial birth abortions, a gruesome late-term procedure that literally sucks the life of a fetus seconds before it can draw its first breath. The bitter public debate over that procedure, and the personal experience of hundreds of thousands of women over the decades since the 1973 Supreme Court decision, has made it clear that abortion is not the boon it was purported to be.

Mistaken Form of Mercy

“This was marketed as being good for women – a personal right – but is a mistaken form of mercy, and people are becoming more aware of that,” Father Markey says. “More and more women know someone who has had an abortion, and they see that it’s not good for women.”

The Rosary procession will heighten that awareness. More than that, it will bring the power of prayer to bear on the tragedy of frightened women, lost lives, and the sorrow that can persist in the victims of abortion for years.

“We must never under-estimate the power of prayer to combat this evil,” Bishop Lori says. “Prayer is at the heart of the pro-life movement.”

(For more information, call Father Greg Markey: 866-5546.)

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BRIDGEPORT, Tuesday, January 6, 2004 – As the National Audit of the Catholic Church in the United States is released today in Washington, D.C., the Diocese of Bridgeport has been found "in total compliance" with the requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and has received praise for Diocesan efforts to protect children and create a Safe Environment – efforts which exceed Charter requirements.

The results, first made public by the Diocese last October, were based on an exhaustive review by an independent professional auditing firm of policies and documents, and interviews with Diocesan officials, victims of abuse, and civil officials.

"The Diocese of Bridgeport was one of the first U.S. dioceses to be audited, when the process began last June," explains Erin Neil, M.S.W., Director of the Diocesan Office of Safe Environments and a social worker. Neil's office oversees the implementation of Safe Environment policies and awareness training. "We received our results in the fall, and given the great news, we decided to announce the results early."

Moving Forward in the Right Direction

Bishop William E. Lori agrees. "We're moving forward in the right direction, and have a great story to tell," says Bishop Lori. "The audit report validates our continuing efforts to protect children and promote a Safe Environment in our parishes, schools, and other ministries – efforts that are done with the help of qualified and committed lay people."

Bishop Lori applauds the dozens of lay people who have come forward to help the Diocese of Bridgeport in the implementation of its Safe Environment Initiative. These include:

Erin Neil, M.S.W., Director of the Office of Safe Environments

Linda Michaud, L.C.S.W., Victims' Assistance Coordinator

Philip A. Lacovara, Esq., Chairman, and the 11-member Sexual Misconduct Review Board, a group of lay professionals and one priest who advise Bishop Lori on the thorough response to allegations of abuse

"The Diocese of Bridgeport remains firm in its resolve to respond swiftly, decisively, and fairly to all allegations, reach out with compassion to victims, and build greater awareness of the problem, which will encourage prevention," the Bishop continues. "We're leading the way, and inviting everyone, inside and outside the Catholic Church, to join us."

Audit Goals

In June 2003, officials from The Gavin Group, Inc., a Boston-based independent firm headed by William A. Gavin, a retired FBI official, visited the Diocese of Bridgeport for one week as part of a nationwide effort to audit all 195 Catholic dioceses and eparchies, an accountability measure called for by the June 2002 Charter. The National Review Board of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) chose The Gavin Group for its team of experienced and professional auditors with backgrounds in law enforcement and certified public accounting. Their work, in turn, was monitored and validated by Wilfred Quigley of Philadelphia, retired partner of the auditing firm of Ernst & Young.

The goal of the audit was to examine the period from June 2002 to the present (or, since the adoption of the Charter) to determine whether adequate practices and procedures are in place to comply with the guarantees made by the U.S. bishops in passing the landmark Charter. The auditors looked at the adequacy of such things as policies for responding to complaints; outreach programs for victims; the independence and use of lay review boards; policies for removing priests who have abused the innocent; and Safe Environment programs.

Interviews Inside and Outside the Diocese

All documentation and policies of the Diocese of Bridgeport were reviewed by the two-member audit team.

Interviews were conducted with Diocesan officials, including Bishop Lori; Monsignor J. Peter Cullen, Moderator of the Curia; Marylee A. MacDougall, former Chancellor; Michael T. Dolan, Diocesan Legal Counsel; and Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, Director of Human Resources. The audit team also spoke with the Victims Assistance Coordinator, Linda Michaud, L.C.S.W.; members of the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board; civil officials; a victim of sexual abuse; and an accused priest.

The Executive Summary of the audit report, released today (and reprinted below), contains much praise for the Diocese of Bridgeport and its efforts to maintain a Safe Environment, including:

• "The Diocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors, and it has cooperated with the authorities in their investigations. The Diocese has a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities."
  
  
• "The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons."
  
  
• "The Diocese has a communications policy reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children, which was commended as described above.The Diocese possesses extensive media and website materials confirming their outreach and engagement, regarding the key issues of sexual abuse of minors."
  
  
• "The Diocese has developed a series of safe environment seminars for presentation to adults having regular contact with children and for the children themselves. The Diocese has a policy that requires background investigations on all members of the clergy, employees, and volunteers."
  
  
  

Exceeding the Requirements of the Charter

The report issued three commendations to the Diocese of Bridgeport:

• Commendation 1: "For instituting administrative procedures to ensure that parishes are participating in Safe Environment Programs."
  
  
• Commendation 2: "For developing a Safe Environment Program that exceeds the requirements of the Charter," including the creation of a Diocesan position of Safe Environment Director to oversee and be responsible for the program, and the use of a computer program ("VIRTUS") to train and track the education of personnel in sexual abuse prevention.
  
  
• Commendation 3: "For the Bishop's and Diocese's exemplary outreach program and communications initiatives." Bishop Lori has personally met with victims, accused priests, family members of accused priests, and parishioners, when allegations of abuse occurred. Bishop Lori also personally participated in many conferences and media events pertaining to abuse of minors and implementation of the Charter.
  

The Diocese also received three recommendations, each of which was addressed and implemented by September 1, 2003.

"Total" Compliance with the Charter

"Based on all of the responses furnished, the Bridgeport Diocese is now judged to be in total compliance with the Charter," wrote William A. Gavin of The Gavin Group, in a letter to Bishop Lori.

"The great result of this audit represents a huge amount of hard work by a dedicated team of Diocesan employees," says Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo. "Catholics in the Diocese of Bridgeport should stand tall and proud in the knowledge that we have an excellent Safe Environment Program in place and that we are committed to seeing it implemented quickly and throughly."

For more information on the Safe Environment Program of the Diocese of Bridgeport, click here.

To read the National Compliance Audit Report of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, click here.

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Official Audit Compliance Report
Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut

Released on January 6, 2004

The Diocese of Bridgeport (“the Diocese”), established in 1953, encompasses Fairfield County in Connecticut. It consists of 87 parishes, two missions, and 33 elementary and five secondary schools, and it serves a population of about 363,000 registered Catholics with 340 priests and 87 permanent deacons. The Most Reverend William E. Lori, who was installed as bishop in 2001, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of June 23-27, 2003.

The information presented below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation

The Diocese has had a prevention policy on sexual abuse of minors since 1990; most recently revised in 2002, this policy provides for an outreach program designed to provide immediate pastoral care to victims/survivors and their families. A Commendation was issued for the bishop and his staff’s exemplary outreach program and communication initiatives. The Diocese has a victim assistance coordinator, Linda Michaud, who has a degree in social work and 22 years of related experience. A Recommendation was written suggesting that the coordinator allocate appropriate time to familiarize herself with the background and procedures of her new assignment. A lay review board was established in 2002, consisting of one priest and ten respected members of the community, including a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a nurse. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed and electronic form. However, a Recommendation was written suggesting that a checklist be developed for working with victims/survivors and alleged offenders, so that all Charter and policy requirements are followed. The Diocese has entered into no confidentiality agreements since June 2002, unless requested by the victim/survivor.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor

The Diocese has had contact with local civil authorities regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors, and it has cooperated with the authorities in their investigations. The Diocese has a procedure for advising victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Diocese has a communications policy reflecting the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children, which was commended as described above.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures

The Diocese was participating in the research study [the John Jay Study] regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, but had not finished the review at the time of the audit. A Recommendation was written regarding this issue.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future

The Diocese has developed a series of safe environment seminars for presentation to adults having regular contact with children and for the children themselves. As mentioned above, the Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other Church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has a policy that requires background investigations on all members of the clergy, employees, and volunteers, but it does not include contractors that work for the diocese. A Recommendation was written to require that contractors be included in the background investigation procedure. The Diocese has not transferred any priests or deacons who have had credible allegations of sexual abuse lodged against them to any other diocese for ministerial assignment or residence during the time period covered by this report. However, five priests who have had allegations lodged against them are living in other dioceses, and the bishop has appropriately and confidentially notified the bishops of those dioceses of their backgrounds. The bishop and the major superiors of religious orders having a presence in the Diocese have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a clerical member of a religious institute. The Diocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and has established ongoing formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, The Diocese of Bridgeport was issued three Recommendations and three Commendations.

• Recommendation 1 – That the Diocese complete the research study [the John Jay Study] on the “nature and scope” of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy.
  
  
• Recommendation 2 – That the Diocese revise its background check policy to include the hundreds of contract employees working for the Diocese.
  
  
• Recommendation 3 – That the Diocese develop a checklist of procedures to be used when processing victims’ complaints and dealing with accused clergy. The victim assistance coordinator should allocate appropriate time to familiarize herself with her new assignment.
  
  
• Commendation 1 – For instituting administrative procedures to ensure that parishes are participating in safe environment programs.
  
  
• Commendation 2 – For developing a safe environment program that exceeds the requirements of the Charter.
  
  
• Commendation 3 – For the bishop’s and Diocese’s exemplary outreach program and communications initiatives.

As of December 1, 2003 [actually as of September 1, 2003], all Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Bridgeport is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I.

The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.

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BRIDGEPORT, Thursday, January 22, 2004 - Reverend Monsignor Andrew T. Cusack, Ph.D., Director of Formation at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, died on January 20 at his residence. He was 71. A priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Monsignor Cusack was a popular priest, pastor, speaker, counselor, and educator.

Born and raised in New York, he attended Cardinal Hayes High School and graduated from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, in 1953. He was a salesman with Royal-McBee Corp., in New York for four years before discerning a call to the priesthood.

Monsignor Cusack completed his seminary studies at Saint Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, and was ordained in Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, CT, by the Most Reverend Lawrence J. Shehan, First Bishop of Bridgeport, in 1960.

Monsignor Cusack received a Masters of Divinity degree in theology from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY; a sixth-year professional Certificate in Counseling from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT; and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Saint John’s University, Queens, NY. He completed postdoctoral studies in psychiatry at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry in New York.

His first assignment following ordination to the priesthood was as Parochial Vicar at Saint James Parish in Stratford, CT. In 1962 he joined the faculty of Stamford Catholic High School (now Trinity Catholic High School) in Stamford, CT, serving as Director of Guidance and Director of Athletics. He served at Stamford Catholic for 10 years. During that time, he was a resident priest at Saint Matthew Parish in Norwalk, CT; Resident Chaplain at the Motherhouse of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Wilton, CT; and Spiritual Director for the Clergy of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

In 1972, he was appointed Diocesan Director of the Ministry for Clergy and Religious. In that position, he was in charge of continuing education for clergy, Director of Vocations, and Director of the Clergy Personnel Board. He held that position until 1987.

In 1977, Monsignor Cusack was named Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope Paul VI, with the title of Monsignor, and was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness by Pope John Paul II in 1986.

Monsignor Cusack was appointed pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Riverside, CT, in 1986, while continuing to serve as Diocesan Director for Clergy and Religious. The following year he accepted a position as Scholar-in-Residence at the School of Theology at Seton Hall University.

Monsignor Cusack was the founder and Director of the National Institute for Clergy Formation. He was a member of the National Catholic Conference of Psychiatrists, and was on the Board of Directors of both the Human Development Department at Notre Dame University and the Association of National Catholic Personnel Directors.

His lectures and talks were widely distributed on videotapes and audiotapes, and has appeared on national television and lectured extensively both in this country and abroad. The recipient of numerous awards, he is listed in American Catholic Who’s Who.

The funeral arrangements for Monsignor Cusack are as follows:

A wake will be held today, Thursday, January 22, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Friday, January 23, from 1-3 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Rd., Brick, NJ.

Monsignor Cusack’s body will be received into Saint Dominic Church, 250 Old Squam Rd., Brick, NJ, on Friday, January 23, at 4 p.m., where it will remain for the Mass of Jesus Christ, High Priest, at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Msgr. Cusack on Saturday, January 24 at Saint Dominic’s. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Bartholdi Ave. corner/Cotter St., Butler, NJ.

Condolences may be sent to Monsignor Cusack’s brother: Edward Cusack, 28 Valley Rd., Butler, NJ 07405.

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ACROSS FAIRFIELD COUNTY - Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport have planned a variety of events to mark Catholic Schools Week, January 25-31, including a special Mass with Bishop William E. Lori.

The centerpiece of the celebration will be a Catholic Schools Mass at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on Thursday, January 29, at 7 p.m. (Weather permitting: please tune in to WICC, 600-AM, for cancellation information).Bishop Lori will be principal celebrant of the Mass and all priests and deacons have been invited to concelebrate. All 33 Catholic elementary schools in the diocese will be represented.

Making a Difference

Sister Glenn Anne McPhee, secretary for education at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, says that the theme of a "Faith-Filled Future" underscores faith as the important foundation that assures a bright future for Catholic school graduates. "Catholic school leaders are committed to making a difference," she says. "Our goal is to graduate students who have strong moral standards and fine academic skills who will become good citizens and able members of the workforce."

Armand Fabbri, superintendent of Catholic schools, agrees. "Catholic schools are a source of confidence and comfort to parents, especially in these trying times," Fabbri explains. "Catholic Schools not only educate their students, but show them we care and provide spiritual and moral direction. It is important that the country know we are alive and well and doing God's work."

(For more information on events celebrating Catholic Schools Week, visit www.diobptctofe.com.)

BRIDGEPORT, Wednesday, January 28, 2004 – On behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Dr. Joseph McAleer, spokesman, has issued the following statement regarding a former seminarian, Leonardo Montoya:

"Leonardo Montoya is no longer a seminarian of the Diocese of Bridgeport. He was dismissed from the program on January 15, 2004.

"Mr. Montoya has denied the charges made against him today. He was dismissed from the Diocesan seminarian program for showing poor judgment in allowing himself to be placed in an inappropriate situation in which these charges could be made.

"Mr. Montoya, 30, a native of Colombia, entered the Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence in Stamford in September 2000, and Blessed John XXIII Major Seminary in Weston, MA, in September 2001. He had not yet been approved for ordination as a deacon, the step before ordination to the priesthood.

"The Diocese of Bridgeport insists on the highest standards of conduct in all of its young men who are studying for the priesthood. At present there are 26 men in formation.

"All seminarians also undergo criminal background checks and a series of psychological exams. They are required to follow all of the Safe Environment policies of the Diocese, including signing the Sexual Abuse Policy and undergoing mandatory awareness training.

"Screening of seminarians continues throughout the four-year formation process. The final decision on readiness for ordination is not made until a formal recommendation is received from the Major Seminary and is accepted by the local Bishop. This was not yet the case with Mr. Montoya."

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STAMFORD, Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - In the largest real estate transaction in the 50-year history of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Saint John the Evangelist Parish has signed a ground lease with a developer to build an office tower on land owned by the parish.

The 320,000-square-foot, 15-story building, called "Trinity Place," will be constructed on 2.8 acres of property behind Saint John's Church, between Tresser Boulevard and Bell Street in the heart of downtown Stamford. The church property is currently leased to the City of Stamford for use as a municipal parking lot, with free parking provided for parishioners during Mass.

Construction could begin by 2006
Trinity Place will be built by Lowe Enterprises, Inc., a California-based firm active in commercial, hospitality, and residential property investments across the U.S. Construction of the Stamford tower, Lowe Enterprises' first office development in the New York metropolitan area, could, pending approvals, commence as early as 2006.

Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm of Kohn Pedersen & Fox Architects, Trinity Place will feature street-level restaurant/retail space. Landscaped plazas will create substantial new green space around the tower, the church, and the parish rectory - in a section of downtown Stamford where there is very little open green space. The project will also provide free parking in the building garage for parishioners during Mass, as well as office space for parish activities.

Revenues for parish and charitable works
The 99-year ground lease will generate substantial revenue for Saint John the Evangelist Parish, which will be used to restore and endow its landmark buildings, including the 1875 Gothic Revival church and the 1850 Greek Revival rectory, which is one of the last authentic Greek Revival buildings left in Stamford. Additional revenues will be managed by special foundations and earmarked to support Catholic schools in Fairfield County; poorer Catholic parishes in the inner cities which are struggling to maintain their services to the faithful; and other charitable endeavors of Saint John Parish.

CAPTION: Aerial view of Trinity Place and courtyard, with Saint John the Evangelist Church and rectory in the foreground, by Kohn Pedersen & Fox Associates, PC, Architects

The agreement was signed on January 8 and announced to the 1,400 members of Saint John the Evangelist Parish at a special meeting on January 18. Signing the agreement were Bishop William E. Lori, president of the Saint John the Evangelist Parish Corporation, and Michael S. Balaban, President, Eastern Region, of Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group.

Bishop Lori's leadership was instrumental in shepherding the project, which was initiated by Monsignor Stephen M. DiGiovanni, Saint John's pastor, soon after he was installed in 1998.

"This agreement represents a landmark for Saint John the Evangelist Parish and her neighbors," says Bishop Lori. "As Catholics we are commanded by the Church to be good, responsible stewards of the resources placed in our care. With Trinity Place, we have fulfilled this command, and so much more. We have assembled a team of world-renowned professionals to develop a project that will help the parish; beautify and enrich the Stamford community; and provide hope for countless people in need, in Stamford and throughout Fairfield County. Saint John's will, in effect, take the Gospel message of helping others to a whole new level."

Monsignor DiGiovanni notes that, with this agreement, Saint John's honors the example set by the poor immigrants and their descendents who sacrificed to build the first Catholic parish in Stamford - and much more. On March 14, 2004, Saint John's will mark its 150th anniversary as an independent parish.

Historic generosity of Saint John Parish
"Saint John the Evangelist Parish began as a small group of Catholic immigrants from Ireland who, through sheer will and an unwavering faith in God, purchased the land and built the church we have today," he said. "It was open to everyone in town, regardless of ethnic or social background.

CAPTION: View of Trinity Place from Atlantic Street, with Saint John the Evangelist rectory in foreground and landscaped walkway, by Kohn Pedersen & Fox Associates, PC, Architects

"But the generosity of the parish did not stop there," Monsignor DiGiovanni continues. "Saint John's built the first Catholic school in Fairfield County, opened a cemetery, and built Saint Joseph's Hospital - all for the benefit of Catholics and non-Catholics in town. Trinity Place is another way Saint John's will be a good neighbor to the people of Stamford, and beyond."

Monsignor DiGiovanni paid special tribute to his predecessor, Monsignor William Nagle, pastor from 1973-1998, who had the foresight to acquire the final parcels of land which completed the 2.8 acre lot behind the church.

Parishioner and Attorney John F. Leydon, Jr., of the Brennan & Leydon law firm, represented the parish in the five-year appraisal, interview, negotiation, and drafting process. Leydon notes that a spirit of good will and teamwork was maintained by all parties, including the parish; the Diocese of Bridgeport; Lowe Enterprises; their legal counsel, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, L.L.P. (in Los Angeles, CA) and Robinson & Cole, L.L.P. (in Stamford); the leasing agent, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., and Redniss & Mead, Inc., the survey, engineering, and land use consulting firm.

Leydon also praised the efforts of the attorneys who represented Saint John Parish in previous years: Daniel E. Ryan, Jr., of Ryan, Ryan, Johnson, & DeLuca, L.L.P., and E. Gaynor Brennan of Brennan & Leydon.

Moving forward as one team
"We have worked together well with the many talented individuals and professional firms involved in Trinity Place, and now look forward to working together as one team as the project moves forward," Leydon says.

Michael Balaban of Lowe Enterprises agrees.

"Lowe Enterprises is a national real estate firm which focuses on making investments in markets which have strong long-term economic fundamentals. We have a 30-year history of contributing to the communities in which we operate through both the real estate projects themselves, and the friendships we make with our clients, consultants, and tenants," Balaban says. "We think that the special relationship that Saint John's Catholic Church has with the Stamford community, coupled with the superior location characteristics of the Trinity Place site, positions the project for success.

"Lowe Enterprises is committed to making a significant positive impact on both the parish and the downtown community," Balaban continues. "As the economic cycle returns to its full vigor, we are optimistic that the Trinity Place project will become a highly regarded addition to the City of Stamford."

Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., which played a key role in the negotiations, will oversee the search for tenants for Trinity Place.

CAPTION: View of Trinity Place from Tresser Boulevard, by Kohn Pedersen & Fox Associates, PC, Architects

"Cushman & Wakefield is pleased to have advised the Diocese of Bridgeport and Saint John's Parish in securing a long-term ground lease with a developer having the national reputation and reach of Lowe Enterprises," says Frank P. Liantonio, Executive Managing Director, Advisory Group, of Cushman & Wakefield. "The project's excellent location, overall scale, and attractive floor plans will be well-received by prospective tenants as the office market continues to improve."

Saint John the Evangelist Parish is the fourth-oldest of the 87 Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport, which comprises all of Fairfield County. Founded in 1847 as a mission of Saint Mary Parish in Norwalk, Saint John's became an independent parish in 1854. As the first Catholic parish in Stamford, Saint John's is known as the "Mother Church of Stamford."

"All Catholic parishes and institutions in lower Fairfield County trace their beginnings to Saint John's and the faith and charity of its immigrant founders," Monsignor DiGiovanni notes.

Today, the parish has 1,400 registered families and serves a diverse and growing community, including a large Haitian Catholic population, with Mass offered in French Creole. There is an active seniors group, and a wide variety of social and religious programs for young Catholics and couples, including "Theology on Tap," which hosts a monthly evening of religious instruction and socialization.

For more information about Lowe Enterprises, contact Eileen Circo, Senior Vice President, Development: (202) 496-2930, or visit www.loweenterprises.com.

For more information about Cushman & Wakefield, contact Frank P. Liantonio, MAI, CRE, Executive Managing Director: (212) 841-7887, or visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.