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St. Albert parishioner defends the Rev. Stepek

dailysouthtown.com
December 11, 2006
By Heather Wielgos

I have worked at St. Albert the Great Parish for eight years. In reference to all that has happened in the past seven months regarding the Rev. Robert Stepek I wish to voice my opinion.

I was 16 years old when I started at St. Albert's. In these eight years of employment, I never have met such a wonderful, hard-working priest as the Rev. Stepek. This is a pastor who works fish fries, bingo kitchen, blows leaves in front of the church, shovels snow and cuts his own grass. Besides all that labor, he is the epitome of a good priest.

As the head engineer, I greatly appreciate when I am tied up dealing with emergencies at the parish when someone like the Rev. Stepek comes to my aid. I know him as a priest and as a friend. In the past couple of years I can tell you God couldn't have given me a better friend and mentor. I have met his family and know them well enough to tell you they are great people.

Barbara Blaine ("Another Take," Daily Southtown, Dec. 7) has been quoting "Jesus said," "Jesus said" statements; well, what does she say about Jesus' statement, "Thou shall not bear false witness"? These supposed victims are doing just that, bearing false witness! I say "supposed" victims because the Rev. Stepek has not been found guilty, because he isn't guilty. We, his supportive parishioners, know he is innocent. When the press printed information about Stepek's lawsuit against his accusers, people sat back and said: "Good for the Rev. Stepek. Fight for your innocence."

It is his right as a human, a priest and an American. If the archdiocese cannot do its job, then he has to do it for himself to prove his innocence. What's wrong with that? What happened to the American way of "innocent till proven guilty?"

"John Doe 1," I have personally met you and you are spewing false accusations. John Doe 1, do you remember talking to the Rev. Stepek in my presence in 2001 and having a good conversation, showing the picture of your kids to him and talking about your life to him? In my personal opinion, if I was supposedly molested, why would I go to a job where my supposed molester was or even talk with him about my life or my family? And why would someone who has been abused show their so-called abuser pictures of their kids?

I was there, and there was no animosity at all between the two of them. So can Blaine answer that after she says the Rev. Stepek is just re-victimizing the victims? Give me a break.

Blaine, you are unjustified in all that you say. What certification do you have to decide whether or not your clients are telling the truth on the statements they have given?

It's interesting to note that in August the Department of Children and Family Services (with certified investigators) found the claims unfounded.

And why do you insist on referring to the Rev. Stepek as just "Stepek"? If you want to talk about Jesus and justice, use the proper terms. The Rev. Stepek has been an awesome, prayerful shepherd to his parish and his people. He has worked elbow to elbow with his parishioners and has given the parish a sense of love and trust. The Rev. Stepek is a man of his word; he tells it like it is. The Rev. Stepek never has lied to his parishioners at all.

Blaine, do you just choose scripture at random? What about "blessed are the peacemakers?" I can honestly say you're not being a peacemaker in this situation.

Mrs. Blaine, can you tell me where you go to church? I would love to pray with you!

The only thing I can agree with Blaine on is that the cardinal is not doing his job! He should be standing up for his brother priest. Has the cardinal even called the Rev. Stepek to say anything for him? So where is the peace and justice the archdiocese teaches us?

Heather Wielgos is a resident of Burbank.